Managing Partner Matthew A. Luber & Associate Jeffrey D. Ragone’s Sexual Harassment & Discrimination case against the Trenton Police Department.
The Trentonian
The City of Trenton has agreed to pay out $175,000 to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by employee Tanzania Green. Green alleged that she was subjected to “repeated retaliation for reporting reprehensible and racially charged conduct” by her supervisor Ben Delisle. Delisle is no longer working for the City. This lawsuit is among many in recent months that the City of Trenton has faced. As stated in The Trentonian “The City of Trenton stands poised to settle three lawsuits to the tune of approximately $2.5 million with a lion share offered to the widow of Stephen Dolceamore, who died on April 3, 2020 following a scuffle with four city police officers. John Morelli, a former Trenton attorney received $385,000, and Tanzania Green, a former city housing department employee could add another $175,000 to the bottom line.”
This latest settlement underscores the importance of employers taking allegations of racism seriously and investigating them thoroughly. McOmber McOmber & Luber is proud to have represented Ms. Green in this case and hopes that it will help send a message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the workplace.
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.
“Ms. London has been an exemplary city employee for nearly three decades. As alleged in the complaint, when she attempted to do the right thing and report unlawful conduct, she was met with immediate and severe retaliation. Ms. London seeks justice and she looks forward to her day in court.” Matthew A. Luber and Meghan A. Clearie of McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C.