Married 911 operator fired after alleging sexual harassment - officials claim she was in love and sent nude photos

A married 911 operator has found herself in a whirlwind of controversy after being fired just months following her lawsuit against her boss for sexual harassment. Maille Russell Bonsall, who served as an assistant 911 coordinator in Delaware County, was let go late last month under allegations of illegally recording conversations with her superiors. This dismissal came after she claimed that her superiors retaliated against her for reporting the harassment, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Bonsall's lawsuit, filed in federal court last November, accused Tim Boyce, the former county emergency services director, of subjecting her to “unwanted verbal, physical, and sexual harassment during and after work hours.” The allegations included shocking claims of Boyce masturbating in front of her in his office. After she reported the abuse, she alleged that Boyce's successors retaliated by ignoring her and cutting off her access to essential systems.

However, the county's narrative paints a starkly different picture. Officials assert that Bonsall and Boyce had a “longstanding romantic relationship” that included exchanging nude photos and sexually explicit texts on county-issued cell phones. According to court filings, there was no evidence that the 40-year-old married mother was opposed to Boyce's advances; in fact, she reportedly texted him multiple times expressing her love.

Investigators also uncovered that Bonsall had joked with Boyce about being under the influence while on duty, altered her timecard, and refused to cooperate with an investigation into her retaliation claims. Her attorney, Mark Schwartz, has vehemently denied that any romantic relationship existed between his client and Boyce, maintaining that the allegations in the lawsuit are valid. He argues that the county's decision to terminate her employment was retaliatory, aimed at punishing her for coming forward with her claims.

Meanwhile, Tim Boyce is facing his own legal troubles. He was fired by the county in May and is now heading toward a criminal trial on charges of indecent assault and harassment, stemming from accusations made by two other employees who allege he engaged in sexual misconduct. One woman reported that he forcibly kissed her in his office, while another accused him of making lewd comments and groping her. Boyce has pleaded not guilty to all charges.