HUMBLE, Texas – A man has filed a lawsuit against Humble Independent School District and several of its employees, alleging sexual harassment by one as well as retaliation from others.
Troy Kite, who was employed by the district as an executive director of University Interscholastic League Athletics/Fine Arts, alleges in the lawsuit of being subjected to sexual harassment by Robert Scarfo, the current president of the Humble ISD Board of Trustees.
The lawsuit alleges Scarfo has a history of harassing Humble ISD employees and his behavior is well known among senior administrators at the district.
“Throughout his time as a Trustee, Mr. Scarfo has continually showed up to campuses unannounced where he harasses employees by demanding meetings and inappropriately seek companions to take to dinner. He has also inappropriately touched administrators of both sexes at District events,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit alleges when there was pushback against him, Scarfo has been known to lash out, worked to undermine employees, and took action to threaten employees’ jobs.
In the lawsuit, Kite alleges since 2019, he was subjected to unwanted touching and provocative comments by Scarfo. Kite alleges Scarfo started by touching his shoulder, hand, or arm in ways that are “neither normal nor appropriate.” The touching escalated over time to sometimes putting his hand on Kite’s back and stroking it inappropriate, making Kite feel very uncomfortable and causing him to recoil.
“One such violation occurred at a Humble ISD graduation ceremony at Turner Stadium. On this occasion, Mr. Scarfo approached Plaintiff, rubbed his hands up and down Plaintiff’s chest, and unzipped Plaintiff’s jacket while making suggestive comments,” the lawsuit alleges. “Plaintiff feared speaking out due to Mr. Scarfo’s power over Plaintiff’s employment and livelihood. Plaintiff previously witnessed Mr. Scarfo use that power to punish other employees who dared to speak out against him.”
This is one of just several incidents of unwanted touching and comments made toward Kite alleged in the lawsuit.
Along with Scarfo, three other defendants are named in the lawsuit. Humble ISD board members Mike Grabowski, Ken Kirchhofer, and Chris Parker.
“For almost half a decade, Plaintiff hoped that Mr. Scarfo’s predatory behavior would stop. At a minimum, he anticipated that the other board members would fulfil their fiduciary duties and protect the Plaintiff, instead, they became co-conspirators in his behavior,” the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit alleges the three board members acted in concert with Scarfo, violating the Texas Open Meeting Act by making decisions in closed session that should be made in open meetings.
“Specific instances include decision related to Plaintiff’s employment and actions taken since May 2023, which were only confirmed in open sessions on three occasions despite numerous other decisions being made. Their collusion with Scarfo to intimidate and punish Plaintiff further isolated him,” the lawsuit alleges.
Kite alleges he was threatened with termination upon seeking protection from Scarfo’s advances.
“After Plaintiff rejected the advances of Scarfo and ultimately filed for protection, he was threatened on multiple occasions that he must resign, or he would be terminated. In fact, 85 hours ahead of the April 9, 2024, board meeting, Plaintiff was told to resign, or he would be terminated. To increase the level of threats directed at the Plaintiff to resign, the board started to include Plaintiff’s wife, who is also an employee of Humble ISD in conversations regarding terminating her position,” the lawsuit alleges.
Ultimately, Kite did resign from Humble ISD.
The lawsuit says these actions caused irreparable harm to Kite’s career opportunities in the educational field.