The Detroit Pistons have fired assistant general manager Rob Murphy after allegations of workplace misconduct by a former female employee.
The Detroit Free Press obtained a statement from the team announcing the termination. The team had placed Murphy on leave seven months ago after an initial investigation.
A former employee, DeJanai Raska, detailed the allegations against Murphy in a lawsuit, claiming Murphy sexually harassed, abused, and belittled her while she worked for him in 2021 and 2022.
In one instance, Raska claimed Murphy allegedly groped her private parts in front of her 4-year-old daughter. He also allegedly told her on many occasions that she aroused him and he wanted to “put a baby in her.”
The team’s statement to the Free Press outlined Murphy’s termination.
“Rob Murphy no longer works for the Detroit Pistons or Motor City Cruise, in any capacity. Mr. Murphy was recently terminated for violation of company policy and the terms of his employment agreement. The facts that gave rise to his termination surfaced during a review, assisted by a national law firm, of allegations made by a former employee.”
Murphy, the former head coach of the Eastern Michigan Eagles (2011-2021), joined the Pistons in 2021 as president of their G League affiliate, the Motor City Cruise. Later that year he was promoted to senior director of player personnel. The team promoted him to assistant general manager in June 2022.
The Pistons finished 17-65 this season and have not had a winning record since the 2015-16 season.