White wife of black NFL player says she was repeatedly harassed over her interracial relationship at 'Wolf of Wall Street'-style investment firm 

  • Philippa Okoye says co-workers at Manhattan investment firm deVere Group told her: 'I think it's disgusting when white women go out with black guys'
  • Mrs Okoye, 27, is married to British Olympics athlete and 49ers defensive end Lawrence Okoye
  • Her boss allegedly told her: 'How many cheerleaders has your boyfriend f***ed today? He’s probably f***ed the whole cheerleading squad by now' 
  • She is suing over claims that she was demoted and fired when she complained about the harassment 
  • DeVere Group called the claims 'false and incredulous' and said Mrs Okoye is a disgruntled former employee who was fired for 'legitimate' reasons 

By Michael Zennie For Daily Mail Online

Published: | Updated:

The white wife of a black NFL player says she was hounded about her interracial marriage and repeatedly sexually harassed while working at a Manhattan investment firm.

Philippa Okoye, 27, a British citizen, is suing deVere Group in federal court, claiming she was demoted and then fired from her job as a senior investment adviser after she complained about the 'Wolf of Wall Street'-style racist and sexist treatment at the firm.

Mrs Okoye is married to Lawrence Okoye, a British Olympic discus thrower and defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers.  

Mrs Okoye alleges that one co-worker told her: 'I think it’s disgusting when white women go out with black guys.’

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Philippa and Lawrence Okoye
Lawrence Okoye

Philippa Okoye says she was harassed over her relationship with husband Lawrence because he is black. Lawrence Okoye is a defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers

Mrs Okoye is suing her former employer deVere Group and her boss over claims that she was demoted and then fired when she complained about sexual harassment

Mrs Okoye is suing her former employer deVere Group and her boss over claims that she was demoted and then fired when she complained about sexual harassment

Mrs Okoye
Mr and Mrs Okoye

Mrs Okoye says she was taunted by her boss and co-workers that her husband 'f***ed the whole cheerleading squad' while he was playing in San Francisco

DeVere Group are denying the charges, calling Mrs Okoye a disgruntled ex-employee who was fired for legitimate reasons. 

'These false and incredulous allegations made by a disgruntled former employee are vigorously and categorically denied,' the company said in a statement. 

'We are shocked and dismayed that a legitimate employment termination has sparked such a malicious response.'

Mrs Okoye's boss Benjamin Alderson allegedly led the harassment 

Mrs Okoye's boss Benjamin Alderson allegedly led the harassment 

Mrs Okoye, who was engaged to the athlete at the time, says in the lawsuit that her boss Benjamin Alderson led much of the harassment.

At one point, a coworker allegedly told her: 'Don’t change your surname if you marry Lawrence, because people will think you’re black

'Yeah, and that’s not good for business,' Alderson allegedly chimed in, according to the New York Post. 

According to the lawsuit Mr Alderson also asked her: 'How many cheerleaders has your boyfriend f***ed today? He’s probably f***ed the whole cheerleading squad by now.'

The taunts didn't stop at racism, either, Mrs Okoye says. She alleges that Alderson, a senior area manager for deVere, openly made it known that he wanted to pattern his office after 'Wolf of Wall Street' and 'Boiler Room.'

In both films, drug and alcohol abuse are rampant and sexual harassment and the paying for strippers and prostitutes is common in the workplace.

According to the lawsuit, when she started at the deVere in October 2013, Mrs Okoye was the only woman and was told on the first day by Mr Alderson: 'So can you handle the banter or are you going to be a woman about it and be sensitive?' 

Coworkers allegedly played a game in which they rated women who came into the office by how 'f***able' they were, according to the Post. 

When Mrs Okoye complained about the sexual harassment, she was demoted, transferred out of the office and eventually fired, she alleges.  

DeVere group has not responded to the lawsuit and did not immediately respond to calls for comment. 

Mr Okoye was born in Croydon, south London, to Nigerian parents. He played rugby for Whitgift School, before taking up discus. He competed in the discus throw for Team Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics, placing 12th.   

Okoye represented Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics, placing 12th in the discus throw

Okoye represented Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics, placing 12th in the discus throw

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