HARRISBURG – A teacher is suing an association alleging that he was not hired for position because he is a recovering alcoholic.
William Keeney filed a complaint on May 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association citing the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff is a recovering alcoholic who applied with the defendant for the position of executive director in May 2018.
The suit states that the plaintiff interviewed for the position and was told on May 21, 2018, that he was going to be recommended. On May 25, 2018, the defendant's chairperson called the plaintiff and told him that she had concerns about his taking the position due to an incident of "drunken misconduct" that had taken place in November 2017. The plaintiff allegedly informed the defendant that he was six months sober and was working with professionals.
The plaintiff alleges he was told to provide the defendant with documents from his AA sponsor, which he did. The plaintiff alleges he was informed on June 5, 2018, that another candidate had been chosen and that he was not being considered for the position.
The plaintiff alleges the defendant refused to hire him because of his disability, alcoholism.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Robert T. Vance Jr. of the Law offices of Robert T. Vance Jr. in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:19-CV-02185