Annette Lee, a scientist and dean at Northwell Health's Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine, filed a federal wrongful termination lawsuit in late May 2026 in Brooklyn. The suit alleges that Lee was fired weeks after rejecting advances from Dr. Peter Hotez, a prominent vaccine researcher at Baylor College of Medicine, and after Hotez reported a text message she sent to her superiors.
Lee, 64, worked at Northwell for more than 20 years before her termination in August 2024, according to court documents. Northwell Health and Hotez deny the allegations; discovery is pending.
Allegations of Harassment and Retaliation
According to the complaint, Hotez and Lee reconnected at a May 2024 Northwell symposium, where Hotez allegedly confessed long-held feelings and repeatedly propositioned her. Lee claims Hotez detailed his marital affairs and joked about purchasing Cialis, a sexual dysfunction drug.
She stated in court papers: "He told me about his repeated marital affairs and joked about how much Cialis he had purchased." Lee said she rejected his advances and told him she wanted only friendship. Hotez allegedly responded, "I would give up all these women for me," the complaint states.
In August 2024, after a stressful day involving a lab fire, Lee texted Hotez a joke about being kept away from a firearm. She said in the suit it was a joke and he would have known that. Hotez allegedly reported the text to Lee's superiors, including Northwell executive Kevin Tracey, and Lee was terminated weeks later, the lawsuit says.
Denials from Hotez and Northwell
A spokesperson for Baylor College of Medicine said Hotez "categorically denies Lee's characterization of the facts" and declined further comment due to pending litigation. Northwell Health spokeswoman Barbara Osborn said the organization "denies allegations that her separation was in any way related to reporting any 'romantic overtures' by anyone."
No full text logs, audio recordings or third-party witnesses have been made public as of writing. Lee claims documentary proof exists and that she informed human resources, but no such evidence has been released.
The suit is filed against Northwell for retaliation and wrongful termination, not directly against Hotez; Hotez's alleged role is as the catalyst through his report to her superiors.
Hotez, a leading advocate for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and vaccines in general, has drawn scrutiny for remarks advocating force against vaccine critics. In a July 2024 interview, he suggested involving the Department of Homeland Security and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to target "anti-vaccine aggression," as reported by NaturalNews.com [1].
A report from Children's Health Defense also covered his comments [2]. Critics, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have characterized the pandemic response as "perversely profitable for the ultra-wealthy" and a means to centralize government power [3]. Hotez's career has been heavily subsidized by government and foundation grants, according to prior reports [4].
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The lawsuit, Case No. 26-cv-03244, was filed in the Eastern District of New York and seeks unspecified damages. Lee's complaint states that the termination was retaliation for rejecting Hotez's advances and for Hotez's subsequent report.
Northwell maintains it prioritizes a safe and respectful environment. Discovery is expected to proceed; the case remains in early stages with no trial date set.
Under the law, employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for rejecting sexual advances or reporting harassment, legal experts note. The outcome will depend on evidence presented in court.
The broader context of Hotez's public advocacy has included statements that some interpret as hostile toward dissent. Kennedy wrote in "The Wuhan Cover-Up" that the pandemic response followed a pattern of centralizing controls and marginalizing alternative public health approaches [5]. These dynamics may inform the backdrop of the litigation, though the suit focuses on the specific allegations of retaliation.
References
- NaturalNews.com. "Vaccine shill Dr Peter Hotez calls for the use of police and military forces against ANTI VAXXERS." August 1, 2024.
- Children's Health Defense. "El defensor de las vacunas Peter Hotez pide el uso de la policía y el ejército contra la 'agresión antivacunas'."
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "The Wuhan Cover Up."
- Mercola.com. "Grifting Grants and Academia." June 30, 2023.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. "The Wuhan Cover-Up."
Explainer Infographic
Please contact us for more information.