PHILADELPHIA — A former employee of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas claims he was wrongfully terminated over false assault claims by a female co-worker.
Andrew A. Johnson filed a complaint Jan. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas alleging gender discrimination.
Johnson was hired as a court crier in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in 2010 and assigned to the Honorable Garrett D. Page, according to his suit. He claims that he broke off a romantic relationship with a court reporter in 2018 who was also assigned to Judge Page's courtroom.
Johnson alleges that the co-worker, Dianne DeSanto, falsely told Judge Page and members of his staff that he assaulted her and that he was terminated on Nov. 30, 2018, without an investigation or an opportunity to defend himself. He further alleges that Judge Page falsely claimed he failed to meet performance standards and that if he had been a woman, an investigation into the allegations would have been conducted.
Johnson claims the defendant's actions violated his civil rights and constitute discrimination based on his sex. He received a Right to Sue from the EEOC on Dec. 29, 2021, according to his suit.
Johnson seeks monetary relief, trial by jury, and all other just relief. He is represented by Attorney Stanley Cheiken in Huntingdon Valley.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:22-CV-00170-MMB