Essex Law Files Civil Complaint Against Borough of Rochester Alleging Racial Discrimination
On May 23, 2024, Essex Law filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against the Borough of Rochester. The lawsuit alleges that the Borough engaged in discriminatory employment practices based on race, violating both federal and state laws.
The plaintiff, Essex Law, an African American resident of Monaca, Pennsylvania, asserts that he faced racial discrimination when applying for jobs with the Borough's Maintenance Department. According to the complaint, Mr. Law initially applied for a position in 2022 but received no response. Upon inquiry, he was informed that his application had been misplaced. In February 2023, he submitted another application and again followed up at a Borough Council meeting on May 15, 2023. At this meeting, he was told that his second application had also been misplaced and was asked to complete a third application on the spot. Despite these efforts, Mr. Law did not receive any response to his applications.
Adding to his allegations, Mr. Law claims that during this period, the Borough Mayor—who is also African American—advised him that the Borough does not hire African American employees and has not done so for over fifty years. Furthermore, the Chairperson of the Borough’s Public Safety Committee reportedly advised Mr. Law to pursue legal action due to these discriminatory practices.
The complaint further details how Mr. Law’s son and brother also applied for positions with the Borough but similarly received no responses as their applications were reportedly misplaced as well. Notably, at the same May 15 meeting where Mr. Law was told there were no applicants for open positions, it is alleged that a Caucasian friend of the Maintenance Supervisor was hired for one of those roles shortly thereafter.
In Count I of the complaint under 42 U.S.C §1981 concerning racial discrimination, Essex Law contends that these actions by the Borough were discriminatory and performed with malice or reckless indifference to his federally protected rights. As a result of these practices, Mr. Law claims he has suffered significant damages including lost income and job opportunities as well as emotional distress.
Count II alleges violations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991), asserting similar grounds of racial discrimination by Defendant’s agents and employees.
Count III addresses violations under Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), reiterating claims of racial discrimination against Essex Law by Defendant's unlawful employment practices which caused him further emotional distress and financial losses.
In seeking relief from the court, Essex Law demands judgment against the defendant including front pay and back pay from the date of wrongful acts; equitable relief; compensatory damages; punitive damages; prejudgment interest; post-judgment interest; reasonable attorney's fees including litigation expenses; and other costs associated with this action.
Representing Essex Law is Thomas B. Anderson from Bordas & Bordas PLLC based in Pittsburgh. The case has been assigned Case ID: 2:24-cv-00759-WSH with Judge WSH presiding over it.