PHILADELPHIA — An African-American woman is suing Special People in Northeast Inc., a former employer, citing alleged discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Joanna Bartholomew filed a complaint on April 21, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Special People in Northeast Inc. alleging that the former employer violated the Civil Rights Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to disparate treatment, discrimination and harassment on the basis of her race and was terminated in retaliation for her complaints about discrimination and harassment. As a result of defendant's actions and inactions, she has suffered mental anguish, severe emotional distress and financial losses, the suit says. The plaintiff holds Special People in Northeast Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly has engaged in unlawful employment practices, treated her differently than her non-African-American counterparts, discriminated against and harassed her due to her race and terminated her without warning over allegations of failure to report a significant incident.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensation for all damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, all other remedies available pursuant to the law and such other and further relief as is deemed just and proper. She is represented by James A. Bell IV and Christopher A. Macey, Jr. of Bell & Bell LLP in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01898