Every MSG security source who was knowledgeable about this surveillance campaign used the word "excessive" or some synonym for this level of scrutiny. The report listed no reason for including these details on her movements. But when Richards and her guest on that January night began to move to some of the best seats in the house, the document's background turns red. It catalogs Richards talking to a security guard at 9:06 pm; that same guard walking over to section 1, row 1
- right next to the Garden's famed "celebrity row" and Richards taking one of those seats 34 seconds after.
That night, Richards posted photos to her Instagram account. The images were included in the MSG security report. "What a great night," she wrote in the captions. "I pray that this new year brings more peace, love and understanding to everyone." In three of the photos, she's standing on the court, presenting a striking figure in a glittery jacket and boots.
The post got 13,501 likes.
People who make it courtside often take such pictures, or are caught on camera during TV broadcasts. According to Ingrasselino's lawsuit, Eversole claimed that if an "openly" trans woman were noticed, it could "damage MSG's reputation." The first former employee adds that they were told the very sight of Richards made the Garden brass uncomfortable.
"This was harassment. This was not OK," the third former staffer said.
This is so gross and so sad. Genuinely, it's my personal nightmare and something that's taken a long time to get over: a fear that my mere presence in public is secretly met with disgust.