John Burton has allegedly sexually harassed the female executive director of a foundation he created. Kathleen Driscoll filed a $10-million lawsuit Wednesday against Burton for his supposed advances, suggestive language and comments on her body.

Driscoll is currently on stress leave from the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes. In her court complaint she said that Burton began harassing her in September 2006, right after she was hired. He continued harassing her despite her complaints to him and other foundation board members.

"I had a dream of helping homeless children through a job I loved. John Burton turned that dream into a sexual harassment nightmare and quite frankly a living hell," Driscoll said during a news conference at her attorney's office.

Burton was reached by phone, but his attorney, Susan Rubenstein, answered for him by saying that her client denies any sexual impropriety.

"John Burton has dedicated approximately a half century of his life to public service, and if he were a sexual harasser, I think it would have been unearthed by now," Rubestein said. "I think the allegations are shocking and a shakedown and are absolutely merciless."

The law suit filed by Driscoll summarized about two dozen examples of alleged harassment by Burton. According to the suit, Burton made numerous comments regarding Driscoll’s thong underwear, her breasts and buttocks, and on one occasion said, "Your nipples aren't showing and it's cold outside."

Driscoll said that she was aware of Burton’s reputation for using salty language before she was hired, but she added that it was rough for her to be yelled at, bullied and subjected to sexual harassment.

However, after the suit was filed, the defense attorney said she received information that Driscoll had written or said other things related to the case that do not square with her allegations. According to Rubenstein, Driscoll wrote in a June 2007 e-mail send to another foundation employee: "I love John because his heart is so good and pure."

"I just got off the phone with another [person] who felt compelled to tell me that she had lunch with Driscoll and she said Driscoll had nothing but admirable things to say about Mr. Burton," Rubenstein added.