A former Overture Center for the Arts receptionist is filing a lawsuit against the city of Madison for allegedly “allowing” her supervisor to sexually harass her for more than 15 years.

Monica Everson is suing the city of Madison, several city officials and the Madison Cultural Arts District Board for not taking proper action to prevent the sexual harassment she faced from Robert D’Angelo, former Overture president and chief executive officer.

Prominent city officials who make up the board are being charged with failing to stop, prevent or correct D’Angelo’s sexual harassment actions.

Everson worked at the Civic Center and then the Overture Center from March 1989 until July 14, 2005, when she went on disability leave citing sickness due to the stress of tolerating D’Angelo’s unwanted conduct and attentions.

According to the 22-page lawsuit filed on Thursday, “Everson was repeatedly subjected to unwelcome verbal and physical conduct and communication of a sexual nature by D’Angelo.”

D’Angelo retired in September 2005 after being informed he would be the subject of a sexual harassment investigation. He is currently in federal prison after being sentenced for one year and one day last April for using his position for personal gain, including tax fraud.

Everson filed a complaint just prior to D’Angelo’s retirement in 2005 with the city of Madison citing sexual harassment in the workplace.

“Sexual banter, joking, sexually explicit conversation and obscene gestures were tolerated and encouraged … by D’Angelo. Supervisors and managers participated in or were aware of the workplace environment,” the lawsuit says.

Several board members declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing they did not yet know what their legal responsibilities would be concerning the case.

Others noted that they had no idea of D’Angelo’s controversial behavior and don’t think they will face any involvement in the case.

“I never worked very closely with him; I only knew him when he headed the board, so I didn’t know about any of the things that were going on,” said William Keyes, a member of the Overture Board of Directors.

D’Angelo has had past incidents of sexual misconduct, including raping a young woman in 1998 and 2001, who has since declined to press charges.

Additionally, in November 1991, D’Angelo was accused of harassing a 19-year-old University of Wisconsin student who came to inquire about an internship. She claimed he pushed her up against a wall and forcibly kissed her and later made unwanted sexual innuendos and advances.

The city received a report about D’Angelo’s conduct shortly after the incident and issued D’Angelo a letter of reprimand warning that he could face repercussions up to termination of employment if his inappropriate actions continued.

The woman’s report and the city’s subsequent letter of reprimand demonstrated that the Madison officials knew of D’Angelo’s conduct toward women at work.

The city has been accused of failing to update and maintain a sexual harassment policy, to adequately train and supervise employees and to monitor and supervise D’Angelo’s conduct toward female employees.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation for damages, including back pay, front pay, loss of benefits and punitive damages.

Although the financial woes of both the city of Madison and the Overture Center have been an issue of concern lately, officials do not yet know what impact the lawsuit will have on the situation.

“I don’t see any connection to the [Overture Center’s] financial situation right now,” said Jonathan Zarov, vice president of marketing and communications for the Overture Center.