PITTSBURGH — A teacher is suing the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center, citing alleged racial discrimination and wrongful termination due to disability.
Dawn Thornton filed a complaint on Dec. 19 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County alleging that the employer discriminated against the plaintiff due to her race and disability.
According to the complaint, Thornton alleges that she experienced discrimination during her employment. The plaintiff holds Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center responsible because it allegedly terminated the plaintiff from employment due to her disability. Thornton allegedly suffered injuries in a car accident which was deemed not to be her fault, and she found that existing health issues were exacerbated by the accident, causing her to become disabled. Thornton, an African-American woman, claims that similarly situated white teachers were not terminated.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks to enjoin the defendant, as well as re-employment of the plaintiff, benefits, compensation, wages, interest, court costs and any further relief the court grants. She is represented by Joseph D. Pometto of Pometto Law LLC in Pittsburgh.
Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Case number GD-16-024469