Elaine Chen, a former executive in the Jets’ finance department, recently filed a lawsuit in New Jersey state court claiming she was unfairly fired just days after her husband, Larry Fitzpatrick, also a former team executive, accused team president Hymie Elhai of sexually harassing female employees. According to reports, the Jets say the situation is far from straightforward, claiming they’ve uncovered a “disturbing” internal conspiracy in which Chen and other former employees allegedly helped fabricate the harassment accusations against Elhai, setting off a high-stakes legal and workplace battle.

The Jets quickly responded by filing a formal 67-page answer along with six counterclaims against Chen. In their statement, the team said, “The allegations of harassment were not only baseless, but the email at the center of the allegations was part of a deliberate and unlawful conspiracy of then-current and former Jets employees, including Ms. Chen and her husband, Mr. Fitzpatrick.” The counterclaims include libel for labeling Elhai a “sexual predator” and repeating allegations that, according to the Jets’ investigation, were entirely fabricated.

The filings provide text messages exchanged between Chen, Fitzpatrick, and at least one other former employee, which the New York Jets allege show the three discussing a coordinated effort to damage Elhai’s reputation. Screenshots included in the court documents reportedly show messages such as “You and Elaine have to not tell anyone, and I mean anyone, that I sent this. He can sue me for slander even tho[ugh] he’d be 100% wrong, don’t need the headache,” and “Can’t f—ing wait to shoot this missile.” Other messages between Chen and Fitzpatrick read “Pretty Brilliant” and include instructions to ensure colleagues remain unaware of the plan.

What investigators discovered next revealed a much broader pattern of alleged misconduct that went far beyond the initial anonymous email.

Jets’ investigation results

As part of the investigation, the Jets conducted a forensic review of Fitzpatrick’s company-issued phone, reportedly uncovering more than 4,000 recently deleted messages. According to the team, these messages included discussions related to the email plot and implicated Chen as an active participant in what they call an “unlawful conspiracy.”

The review also allegedly revealed a pattern of inappropriate behavior by Fitzpatrick, including sexually explicit photos, messages objectifying female colleagues, interactions on adult websites, and gambling activity, all of which violate NFL rules. When confronted about receiving the anonymous email, the Jets claim Fitzpatrick initially denied it but then began “furiously tapping the top and bottom of the phone screen,” ultimately leading to the discovery of the deleted messages.

Investigators said the findings were “irrefutable,” citing thousands of text exchanges and encrypted data retrieved from Fitzpatrick’s device. According to the filing, the forensic review also uncovered alleged OnlyFans activity involving explicit photos of himself, along with text threads referring to female staff in derogatory terms. The team labeled this behavior “salacious and in violation of NFL policy.”

The counterclaims and forensic evidence together paint a picture of a deliberate, coordinated effort by former employees to fabricate allegations. According to the Jets, the investigation included emails, text messages, group chats, and even details like coordinated lunches with the former employee who sent the original anonymous email. Messages allegedly instructed participants to delete evidence and avoid using the team Wi-Fi network for communications related to the plan.

Chen has consistently denied any involvement in the scheme, asserting that her firing was retaliatory due to her marital connection to Fitzpatrick. She also claims the Jets did not properly investigate Elhai but instead “targeted anyone who supported the allegations against Elhai and/or the belief that Mr. Elhai’s sexual conduct warranted an actual investigation and/or disciplinary action.” At least two other employees who received the email were reportedly not terminated, which Chen’s lawsuit frames as discriminatory.

The Jets, meanwhile, maintain that Chen’s claims are meritless. “Ms. Chen’s legal claims of marital status discrimination and retaliation are meritless, legally and factually,” the team said in a statement. “She was fired by the Jets for legitimate and lawful business reasons: specifically, for her egregious misconduct, including the deletion of communications and lies, all in furtherance of an unlawful conspiracy to harm and defame both the organization and Mr. Elhai with the malicious intention of getting him fired, and destroying his reputation and career.”

In addition to seeking repayment of compensation, benefits, and attorney fees, the Jets’ filings underscore their position that the allegations against Elhai were “grossly over-exaggerated and positioned for the sole purpose of the fabricated narrative.”

As of now, Chen’s attorney, Claudia Reis, has not commented, and attempts to reach both Chen and Fitzpatrick have been unsuccessful.