Mayor Bloomberg today denounced a lawsuit that accuses the financial information firm he founded of fostering a culture hostile to pregnant women and new mothers.

“We think there’s no substance to it whatsoever and the company will vigorously defend it and that’s that,” the mayor said at a news conference in the Bronx.

When asked about his involvement in the operations of the company, Bloomberg LP, the mayor said he keeps an open line of communication with senior managers, a relationship, he said, that has been cleared by the city’s Conflict of Interest Board.

“I own the company and I know what’s going on there and there’s nothing wrong with that,” the mayor said, adding, “I certainly don’t get involved in the day-to-day stuff of personnel or anything else.”

Three women at the center of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission lawsuit against Bloomberg LP, filed a complaint yesterday accusing the mayor and the company’s top managers of creating a “systemic, top-down culture of discrimination.” The women are also claiming that Mr. Bloomberg has more involvement in the company than he publicly lets on.

Mr. Bloomberg said today that he first learned of an allegation against the company last week. When asked about the suit last week, the mayor had said he knew “nothing whatsoever.” It is unclear exactly when he found out about the lawsuit.

Tanys Lancaster, 38, Jill Patricot, 35, and Janet Loures, 41, are seeking nearly $482 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

The company has denied the allegations.

Mr. Bloomberg stepped down as CEO of Bloomberg LP to run for mayor in 2001, but retains a 68% stake in the company.