The controversial leader of the North Carolina Democratic Party is under fire for a new lawsuit alleging he defamed a former party worker.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in a Wake County court, accuses David Parker and the NC Democratic Party of defamation and breach of contract.

The lawsuit comes in the wake of a news conference Parker held in April, where he addressed sexual harassment claims levied by former NCDP employee Adrian Ortega.

Ortega began working for the party in October 2010, under then-Executive Director Jay Parmley.

In the fall of 2011, Ortega filed a complaint with the party, alleging Parmley had sexually harassed him, including inappropriate touching, comments and showing Ortega a picture of his genitalia.

Shortly after complaining, Ortega was fired.

After months of controversy, Parmley resigned, and Ortega reached a settlement with the NCDP, including a confidentiality clause that neither side would discuss the allegations, the settlement or Ortega's employment history.

In the spring of 2012, information about the settlement began to leak out, and Ortega's attorney, Raleigh lawyer Kieran Shanahan, said that’s when Parker decided to "save face" and address the sexual harassment allegations in a news conference.

"They were willing to throw my client under the bus for Mr. Parker to protect himself as chairman of the Democratic Party, and to protect the reputation of the Democratic Party," Shanahan said.

In his remarks, Parker not only referred to the settlement and the allegations, but Shanahan said Parker painted Ortega as a liar, an extortionist and a bad employee.

"It's outrageous. He's being used as a political pawn, and he's being victimized for the second time," Shanahan said.

Calls to David Parker and the legal counsel for NCDP seeking response to the lawsuit were not returned by deadline.

Political analysts said this latest controversy for the state's democratic party doesn't set a good stage for the Democratic National Convention this fall.

"This is not the environment that Barack Obama wants, coming into Charlotte, hanging over his head. It really looks like the Democrats are coming into a state that is not very warm and welcoming, in terms of southern hospitality," said analyst Dr. Michael Bitzer.

The first hearing in the lawsuit will likely be held in the next few weeks.