A lawsuit has been filed by Thomas Maltezos, alleging that the children of Senator Ron Wyden contributed to the suicide of his partner, Brandon O’Brien. The complaint claims that O’Brien endured two years of bullying, harassment, and verbal abuse while working for Nancy Bass Wyden, the senator’s wife and an heiress to Manhattan’s Strand Bookstore.
Maltezos asserts that O’Brien, aged 35, took his own life in May 2024 due to the alleged mistreatment he faced from Wyden’s children. The lawsuit details multiple instances of bullying, including claims that the senator’s daughter made inappropriate remarks and exposed herself to O’Brien during school drop-offs. Maltezos contends that Nancy Wyden failed to address these behaviors from her then-10-year-old daughter.
The lawsuit further alleges that Wyden’s son directed homophobic slurs at O’Brien, including derogatory terms such as “faggot” and “zest kitten.” Reports indicate that during one incident, Nancy Wyden used mace on her son to prevent him from throwing objects at O’Brien, inadvertently hitting O’Brien in the process.
After O’Brien resigned from his position in September 2024, Nancy Wyden reportedly accused him of stealing $650,000 through fraudulent credit card activities, prompting an investigation by the New York Police. The lawsuit claims that she hired a private investigator to delve into O’Brien’s personal life and spread false rumors about him among colleagues. This theft investigation was closed following O’Brien’s death.
In a poignant tribute on LinkedIn, Maltezos mourned the loss of his partner, referring to O’Brien as “the love of my life, my heart, and my home,” while also encouraging others to cherish their loved ones. He described the couple’s 14 years together as a significant part of his life.
Attorneys representing Nancy Wyden have characterized the lawsuit as “baseless and deeply misguided,” asserting it is filled with false accusations. They argue that it seeks to distract from O’Brien’s “documented pattern of theft.” In response, Maltezos’ legal team described the allegations against the senator’s wife as “shocking, disturbing, and cruel,” emphasizing that no individual should have to endure such harassment, especially in a workplace environment.
As of now, the office of Senator Ron Wyden has not responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit and its serious allegations.
