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A high-stakes legal showdown is unfolding as Robert F. Riley, a name partner at Riley & Hurley PC, fires back against Elyse McKenna’s sexual harassment lawsuit with explosive counterclaims of his own. Riley now contends that McKenna initially demanded hush money before launching her allegations—a claim that dramatically alters the trajectory of the case.

From Allegations to Counterattack

McKenna, a former associate at Riley’s firm, originally filed suit in September, accusing Riley of grooming, harassment, and stalking. But Riley’s response, filed Wednesday, paints an entirely different picture. He asserts that McKenna threatened to publicly accuse him of misconduct unless he paid a substantial sum, branding her lawsuit as an orchestrated attempt at defamation and financial gain.

Beyond the lawsuit, Riley claims McKenna orchestrated a campaign to tarnish his reputation, spreading falsehoods within legal circles, the media, and even among clients. One client, who had long favored Riley as lead counsel, ultimately dropped him and hired McKenna instead—a move he argues was a direct result of her alleged smear tactics.

A Tense Legal Battle Across Multiple Fronts

McKenna, now represented by Kathleen Kalahar of Goodman Kalahar and Randi McGinn of McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA, amended her lawsuit in November and January, bolstering her claims against Riley, Riley & Hurley, and her previous employer, Olsman MacKenzie Peacock & Wallace PC. She alleges Riley lured her from her prior medical malpractice role, then subjected her to an escalating pattern of inappropriate behavior, including:

• Unsolicited messages and expensive gifts
• Mandatory monthly dinners
• Secretly photographing her without consent

McKenna further claims that after she left Riley & Hurley, the harassment followed her to her new job at Olsman MacKenzie, where her complaints were allegedly dismissed before she faced workplace retaliation.

Her lawsuit brings 10 legal claims under Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and Michigan Compiled Laws, citing stalking, discrimination, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Riley’s Defense: A Different Story

Riley, however, asserts that his relationship with McKenna was one of mutual warmth and mentorship, citing cordial text messages and emails. He claims to have treated multiple employees to gifts and dinners, dismissing McKenna’s accusations as distortions of benign workplace interactions.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of McKenna’s allegations is her claim of discovering hundreds of photos of herself on Riley’s iPad, which she says supports her stalking accusations. Riley, who is legally blind, countered that he keeps photos of colleagues and clients to help recognize them during mediations. He further accused McKenna of unlawfully accessing the device by coercing an assistant into providing the password, an act he argues constitutes trespass and invasion of privacy.