Jets countersue former employee for defamation and conspiracy after she alleged retaliation

Colin Cowherd makes his case for Dak Prescott being a legitimate MVP candidate (runner-up MVP vote from Colin).

The New York Jets filed a counterclaim against their former vice president of finance, Elaine Chen, after Chen sued the organization alleging retaliation for cooperating in a sexual harassment investigation into team president Hymie Elhai. 

The team's counterclaims include defamation, civil conspiracy, tortious interference and breach of contract. 

Chen alleged in her initial lawsuit that she and her husband, former Jets vice president of ticket sales Larry Fitzpatrick, were fired as retaliation after the claims were made against Elhai.

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A closeup view of the New York Jets logo on a helmet during a delay in the second half of the 2023 Pro Hall of Fame Game against the Cleveland Browns at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 03, 2023, in Canton, Ohio.  (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

The Jets alleged Chen and Fitzpatrick engaged in an "unlawful conspiracy" to "falsely accuse" Elhai of sexual harassment, and argued she and Fitzpatrick were fired "rightfully and lawfully" for "egregious, actionable, and utterly reprehensible misconduct." 

"This lawsuit is nothing more than a desperate extension of the conspiracy and an attempt to shakedown NYJ, which is no longer paying Chen’s or Fitzpatrick’s salaries, and to avoid the inevitable and just consequences of their misconduct," the Jets allege, as seen in court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. 

The documents also included screenshots of alleged text messages and emails exchanged by Chen and Fitzpatrick that show alleged communication in the alleged conspiracy. 

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