Leonard Nicita Case: Misconduct Allegations & Termination

Leonard Nicita faced misconduct allegations, including inappropriate comments, leading to financial sanctions and eventual termination from his senior role at a company. Case involved remarks made at a bar and internal disciplinary actions.

When he was alerted of the complaint two weeks later, Nicita said that he “was completely stunned and relayed [to her] my recollection of what occurred, thinking it to be innocuous”. Forthcoming to the court he denied he had stated he wanted to sleep with the complainant, however claimed he had actually suggested they pursue supper.

Initial Complaint and Nicita’s Response

Nicita’s boss told him he was “really disappointed with his behavior” which it was “entirely unacceptable from any person, not to mention a companion, not to mention a senior companion, not to mention a senior companion [who] has just re-joined the Company”. (Nicita had earlier had a stint at EY from 2013 to 2015.).

During the event, as Nicita’s handling partner described it, he “made comments to the plaintiff to the result that you believed she was gorgeous, you intended to sleep with her and, when the complainant said she was wed, you noted that most of your events are with married women”.

Handling Partner’s Account of the Incident

He argued the bar occurrence “did not entail conduct as a partner of the firm but rather occurred in his exclusive life,” and “at the time of the termination, he had notified of his retirement from the partnership”.

The 50-year-old received sanctions consisting of 4 per cent of revenue (33,969.78 USD) being removed from that year’s pay, and was informed he got on his “first and ultimatum versus additional circumstances of improper behavior”. He was likewise informed to apologise to the complainant.

Sanctions and Apology Requirement

Leonard Nicita was ended from his function as an elderly companion in the company’s Transaction Tax group in November 2023, according to a choice from Justice David Mossop in the ACT Supreme Court last month.