Trenton City Employee Subjected to Retaliation for Reporting Boss’s Use of “N-Word”

Matthew Luber and Meghan Clearie Represent City of Trenton Employee Who Reported Boss For Using “N-word” in the Office.

Managing Partner Matthew Luber and Associate Meghan Clearie represent client, Tanzania Green, Program Development Specialist -Community Affairs for the Housing Production Division for the City of Trenton, in a NJLAD and CEPA case against the City of Trenton. The lawsuit was filed in Mercer County Superior Court on September 15, 2021. Among other things, the lawsuit alleges the City of Trenton’s Director of Housing & Economic Development, Benjamin Delisle, casually and calmly used the “N-word” to describe his fellow co-workers and public officials.   On one such occasion, Mr. Delisle described the Council Members’ “ways and attitude” as a “N-I-G-G-*-* mentality.”  Ms. Green, who is Black, reported Mr. Delisle’s conduct to her Union President and the City of Trenton.  Although when an investigation by an Attorney from the City of Trenton’s Law Department substantiated Ms. Green’s accusations against Mr. Delisle, she was terminated and her findings were buried. Following Plaintiff’s internal complaint to her employer about this grotesque racial slur, the City of Trenton did more than fail to investigate and fail to immediately terminate Defendant Delisle for his insidious behavior.  They unlawfully retaliated against Ms. Green by, among other things, falsely accusing her of petty misconduct and transferring her to a less desirable position at Defendant Trenton.

Matthew and Meghan issue the following joint statement concerning the lawsuit:

“As alleged in the complaint, Ms. Green was subjected to repeated retaliation for reporting the reprehensible and racially charged conduct of Mr. Delisle.  We file this lawsuit, not only to seek redress for Ms. Green, but to shine light on the abusive and toxic work environment at the City of Trenton.”  Matthew A. Luber, Esq. and Meghan A. Clearie, Esq. of McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.