Powerful CEO made disgusting ‘jiggling’ remark about female subordinate and made her working life hell after she rejected his advances, lawsuit alleges
A lawsuit filed in California alleges that Enrico Callender, former CEO of Santa Clara Valley Water, sexually harassed and later retaliated against a subordinate, Jessica Collins, after she rejected his advances. Collins, 49, claims Callender remarked to a colleague that he liked it when she entered his workspace because she "jiggled as she walked," and that he subsequently became overly critical of her work, blocked her career progression, and allowed a false rumour that he had secretly fathered her child to circulate. Callender, 56, denies the allegations, describing them as an attempt to damage his reputation.
Collins first reported Callender for alleged harassment in 2008, two years after joining as a legal analyst, and says an internal review upheld several complaints, including unwelcome sexual conduct and intrusive personal questioning. Despite this, Callender was repeatedly promoted and made CEO in 2020. Collins alleges he later sat on the interview panel that denied her a promotion in 2022 after her performance score was allegedly manipulated. Callender resigned in March this year, months after a separate external investigation found he had sexually harassed two other women, a finding he also disputes.
- Ex-CEO accused of harassment and retaliation in new lawsuit.
- Alleged victim says rejecting advances derailed her career.
- Callender resigned in March after separate harassment findings; he denies all claims.
New here? Start with this
Santa Clara Valley Water is a public agency that manages water supplies and flood protection in Santa Clara County, California. Enrico Callender led the agency as chief executive, while Jessica Collins worked there as a legal analyst and later sought promotion.
Collins says she reported Callender for harassment in 2008, and that an internal review upheld several of her complaints. She alleges he later obstructed her career and retaliated after she rejected his advances; Callender denies the claims.
The case raises questions about how the agency handled earlier complaints and how its leaders were held accountable. Callender was promoted after the internal review and became chief executive in 2020.