Lawyer Says Costa Denied Allegations

The lawyer for former Harvard spokesperson Peter Costa confirmed yesterday that her client was recently investigated by University officials for allegedly sexually harassing at least one female employee.

But the attorney, Lynn Weissberg, of the Boston firm Stern, Shapiro, Rosenfeld and Weissberg, said the probe resulted in "no finding on the complaint that was brought," adding that Costa's sudden and unannounced resignation in July as director of the news office--one month after she said the investigation concluded--was for unrelated reasons.

Costa, who hired Weissberg to represent him during the investigation, "denied all of the allegations vigorously," she said. "The matter was thoroughly investigated," Weissberg added.

But one woman alleging harassment may file a lawsuit against Costa and the University, a source close to the woman said yesterday.

Costa, who now works for Harvard Magazine in a position that was created for him, did not return a phone call to his office yesterday seeking comment. An employee who works in the 98 Winthrop St. building where Costa's new office is located said he did not show up yesterday morning.

Costa's move to Harvard Magazine followed a University investigation into complaints from seven temporary employees and support staff that he had sexually harassed them or engaged in other inappropriate behavior.

But Weissberg said yesterday that there was only one complaint filed, in late December or earlyJanuary, by an employee who no longer works atHarvard. Weissberg said both the employee andCosta produced witnesses to support their claims.

A source close to the complainant said lastnight that she is considering filing a civil suit.The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity,said a decision on whether to file a suit wouldlikely be reached within a week.

Weissberg said earlier yesterday that she didnot anticipate a lawsuit. "To my knowledge, thereis no civil case, no criminal case, nor any threatof one," she said.

Eight female news office employees had filedstatements in support of the complaint againstCosta, sources familiar with the investigationsaid yesterday.

And one source said the complainant had askedsupporters not to speak publicly about theinvestigation until she decides whether to file alawsuit.

In an interview late last week, Costa refusedto confirm or deny the allegations or theinvestigation.

Director of Employee Services Mary G. Oppermanand University Attorney Robert B. Donin both ofwhom, according to Weissberg, were involved in theinvestigation did not return repeated phone callsyesterday.

Costa's current boss, Harvard MagazinePublisher Laura Freid, would not comment on theinvestigation. Former Vice President forGovernment, Community and Public Affairs John H.Shattuck, Costa's superior for most of his eightyears as news director, did not return phonecalls.

Acting Vice President for Government, Communityand Public Affairs Jane H. Corlette, whosupervised Costa for nearly six months afterShattuck left Harvard for the Clintonadministration, also declined comment.

Corlette said last week that she and Costa hadreached a "mutual decision" regarding hisdeparture, adding that the decision followed aprivate meeting at which the two discussed"management issues" relating to the news office.

Costa, who once served as national editor forUnited Press International, now heads a project tolaunch a radio show for Harvard Magazine. He saidlast week that his move to the magazine wasinfluenced by a desire to return to hisjournalistic roots and to allow an incoming, andas yet unnamed permanent successor to Shattuck,the opportunity to restructure the news office.

The move was not announced in the HarvardUniversity Gazette, which Costa edited, nor was itdisclosed in a University press release. Theformer news director's colleagues were informed ofhis departure on July 30, the day he left.

Costa, who in his previous role headed anoffice of more than a dozen staffers, now answershis own phone and does not have a secretary

A source close to the complainant said lastnight that she is considering filing a civil suit.The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity,said a decision on whether to file a suit wouldlikely be reached within a week.

Weissberg said earlier yesterday that she didnot anticipate a lawsuit. "To my knowledge, thereis no civil case, no criminal case, nor any threatof one," she said.

Eight female news office employees had filedstatements in support of the complaint againstCosta, sources familiar with the investigationsaid yesterday.

And one source said the complainant had askedsupporters not to speak publicly about theinvestigation until she decides whether to file alawsuit.

In an interview late last week, Costa refusedto confirm or deny the allegations or theinvestigation.

Director of Employee Services Mary G. Oppermanand University Attorney Robert B. Donin both ofwhom, according to Weissberg, were involved in theinvestigation did not return repeated phone callsyesterday.

Costa's current boss, Harvard MagazinePublisher Laura Freid, would not comment on theinvestigation. Former Vice President forGovernment, Community and Public Affairs John H.Shattuck, Costa's superior for most of his eightyears as news director, did not return phonecalls.

Acting Vice President for Government, Communityand Public Affairs Jane H. Corlette, whosupervised Costa for nearly six months afterShattuck left Harvard for the Clintonadministration, also declined comment.

Corlette said last week that she and Costa hadreached a "mutual decision" regarding hisdeparture, adding that the decision followed aprivate meeting at which the two discussed"management issues" relating to the news office.

Costa, who once served as national editor forUnited Press International, now heads a project tolaunch a radio show for Harvard Magazine. He saidlast week that his move to the magazine wasinfluenced by a desire to return to hisjournalistic roots and to allow an incoming, andas yet unnamed permanent successor to Shattuck,the opportunity to restructure the news office.

The move was not announced in the HarvardUniversity Gazette, which Costa edited, nor was itdisclosed in a University press release. Theformer news director's colleagues were informed ofhis departure on July 30, the day he left.

Costa, who in his previous role headed anoffice of more than a dozen staffers, now answershis own phone and does not have a secretary