The former chief of staff of one of the nation’s most prominent environmental groups has sued her ex-boss, accusing him of sexual harassment and the organization of retaliating against her.
In a complaint filed last week in D.C. Superior Court, Laura Maretich alleged that Ben Jealous, former executive director of the Sierra Club, repeatedly sent her sexualized texts, made unwanted comments about her body and exposed his genitalia to her while she was working as the organization’s traveling content manager.
Jealous did not respond to the specific allegations in the complaint but said they are are “totally and completely false.”
The filing says the decision by the Sierra Club’s board to terminate Jealous’s employment last summer was “because, in whole or in part, of” Maretich’s allegations. At the time of Jealous’ termination, the Sierra Club’s board said it had voted unanimously to fire him “for cause following extensive evaluation of his conduct.”
Maretich, who had been on paid administrative leave pending the Sierra Club’s investigation of Jealous, alleged she was then terminated from her role in late March, with an effective date of April 3. The Sierra Club declined to comment on the reason for her termination.
“Maretich has suffered significant damages and mental anguish as the result of Defendants’ illegal actions, and she will continue to sustain damages into the foreseeable future,” says the complaint.
Her lawyers have asked the court to reinstate Maretich’s employment and compensate her for lost income, among other relief.
The complaint includes a long list of allegations against Jealous, who said the allegations were “investigated and discredited years ago.” He said the facts should be decided through the legal process and “not distorted through selective leaks or public insinuation.”
“Allegations of harassment and misconduct should always be taken seriously,” Jealous said in his statement. “Women’s safety matters deeply to me, and always has. It is also true that taking allegations seriously cannot mean treating accusations as verdicts. It cannot mean abandoning fairness, evidence, or due process. And it cannot mean allowing false or baseless claims to be weaponized — especially in ways that reinforce racist stereotypes about Black men.”
Jealous, former head of the NAACP and the Sierra Club’s first Black leader, has said he faced discrimination in the role. A former Sierra Club Foundation official has sued the organization, alleging it “systematically pushed out” Black leaders, including Jealous.
Sierra Club spokesperson Jonathon Berman said that when the organization receives complaints, it investigates and responds appropriately.
“While we cannot discuss the specifics due to pending litigation,” he said, “we handled the matter with sensitivity and care, in line with our values, policies, and the law.”
According to Maretich’s complaint, in the fall of 2024, Jealous allegedly asked Maretich if she had breast implants and compared her appearance to his partner’s breast augmentation. He repeatedly suggested that Maretich wear more revealing clothing, the complaint said.
During a December 2024 trip to Vermont for a work function, Maretich alleged that Jealous repeatedly urinated on the side of the road, despite her objections. The complaint said Jealous faced her as he urinated, alleging that he exposed his genitalia.
Jealous also allegedly used a racial slur to describe Maretich, who is of African American and Caucasian descent, the complaint said.
In January 2025, Maretich was promoted to be the Sierra Club’s chief of staff. The complaint said she accepted the position in part because she would not be required to travel with Jealous as often.
After that time, around Feb. 10, 2025, Jealous allegedly yelled at Maretich for taking sick leave to care for herself and her child, according to the complaint.
Maretich said she later visited a doctor, who recommended she take medical leave for anxiety. She submitted a complaint to the Sierra Club’s board of directors on April 18, 2025, and was placed on paid administrative leave, the complaint said. Her employment was terminated last month, according to the court filing.
Maretich’s legal team declined to comment on details of the case beyond the complaint.
The D.C. Superior Court has set an initial scheduling conference in the case for July 31.
Contact Pamela King on the encrypted messaging app Signal at pamelaking.12.
