A lawsuit has been filed alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination at a healthcare facility. Carolyn Jones, the plaintiff, filed her complaint on September 30, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana against TDPK, LLC doing business as Cypress Grove Behavioral Health, LLC, along with PKC Investments, LLC and TCD Holdings, LLC.
Carolyn Jones claims that during her tenure as Director of Social Services from January to July 2021 at Cypress Grove Behavioral Health in Monroe, Louisiana, she was subjected to racial discrimination that led to her constructive discharge. The lawsuit alleges violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. According to Jones, after Paul Carter was hired as Director of Nursing in June 2021, there was a systematic termination of Black employees who were replaced by white individuals with less experience. Jones herself faced demotion and a significant pay cut without cause while being replaced by a white employee.
Jones's complaint states that she had been performing satisfactorily in her role and that these actions were discriminatory based on race. She argues that this pattern of behavior violated federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Furthermore, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigated her claims and found reasonable cause to believe that Defendants violated Title VII by demoting her based on race and constructively discharging her through intolerable working conditions.
Jones is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages for malicious conduct. Additionally, she requests attorney fees and demands that Defendants undergo training regarding racial discrimination.
The case is represented by attorneys Philip Bohrer from Bohrer Brady LLC in Baton Rouge and Jay D. Ellwanger along with Madison Chilton from Ellwanger Henderson LLP in Austin. The case is identified under Case ID: 3:24-cv-01335.