PHILADELPHIA - The Manor Township and the Manor Township Chief of Police are accused of age discrimination and other charges in a March 31 federal lawsuit from a former officer.
Plaintiff Carolyn Gundel was 41 years old when she was hired by the Manor Township Police Department in 1997; according to the suit, she had a positive employment record, eventually being promoted to sergeant.
Gundel says that defendant Chief of Police Todd Graeff blatantly discriminated against her due to her age, telling her that he would not have allowed someone that old to be hired had be been chief when she joined the department.
Graeff is further accused of creating a hostile work environment in an effort to force Gundel into retirement, and allegedly encouraged three other officers to file false harassment claims against the plaintiff to cause disciplinary action and demotion against her.
Gundel was demoted out of her role and replaced by a male less than 50 years old, the suit claims.
The defendants are accused of age discrimination and violation of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Gundel seeks at least $75,000 in payback from Manor Township, and she is represented by Masono and Bradley of Wyomissing.