Sexual harassment trial for former Fulton DA Paul Howard starts this week

Jury selection will commence on Wednesday in the sexual harassment case against former Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard.

The federal lawsuit was filed in April 2020, by the Plaintiff, Cathy Carter, who worked for Howard for 15 years.

Carter alleged that she experienced overt, manipulative, and aggressive sexual misconduct and harassment. Carter also claims Howard pressured her into sexual activities, including in his office at the Fulton County Courthouse, where she previously served as a paralegal and records supervisor.

According to her lawsuit, Carter was terminated in June 2019 after ending their unofficial relationship.

An attorney for Howard previously said Carter was terminated after her supervisors learned she had been arrested earlier that same day in Clayton County and charged with assault while carrying a handgun. That case was dropped in February 2022, court records show.

Despite Howard’s attempt to dismiss the sexual harassment case, a judge ruled there was enough evidence to proceed.

The trial, which had been previously delayed, starts Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Thomas Thrash in the U.S. District Court.

Attorneys Mario B. Williams and David Betts are representing Carter in this case. Williams said in a statement, “Ms. Carter wants all women to speak up about sexual misconduct that they have experienced in the workplace. She has litigated this long, not only for herself, but for women who have had similar experiences.”

Howard served as Fulton DA from 1996 to 2020 before losing the re-election bid to Fani Willis.