FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RAINBOW ACRES SUED FOR SEX AND RACE DISCRIMINATION
Defendant Rainbow Acres Health Food Store Claims Discrimination Against Black Male Acceptable When "Too Many Guys" Already Employed by Store; Store's Insurance Company Zurich US Also Sued for Threats Made to Not File Claims
November 24, 2000, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- Early this week, on Monday, November 20, 2000, the Plaintiff Tony Woods, a Black Male, filed an Opposition to the Demurrer of the Defendant Rainbow Acres, which is scheduled to be heard on Thursday, November 30, 2000, asserting that Rainbow Acres' position contained in their Demurrer that discrimination against males when a hiring manager feels that the store has "too many guys" already is not acceptable and violates California's prohibition against considering sex as a basis for hiring, in violation of California Government Code §12940(a), a part of California's Fair Employment and Housing Act ("FEHA").
The Defendants, who include Rainbow Acres Health Food Store, its owner and/or President Howard M. Pollack and its hiring manager Laura Hughes filed their Demurrer as a response to the Complaint filed by Tony Woods on August 30, 2000, as Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC236040, Tony Woods v. Rainbow Acres, et al., which alleges causes of action for: 1) sex discrimination; 2) race discrimination; 3) retaliation in violation of FEHA; 4) failure to maintain environment free from discrimination; 5) defamation; 6) invasion of privacy; 7) interference with contractual relations; 8) eavesdropping invasion of privacy in violation of California Penal Code §§ 630 and 637.5; 9) intentional infliction of emotional distress; and 10) negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Also included in the lawsuit as defendants are insurance company Zurich US and the claims adjuster Peggy Taylor, who were sued for retaliation based upon, according to the Complaint of Discrimination, that they "threatened [the Plaintiff] in an attempt to prevent these DFEH Charges from being filed" by telling the Plaintiff "that RAINBOW ACRES allegedly had photos of [him] allegedly smoking pot, which they would publicize if he filed Charges." The Plaintiff included these insurance company defendants in the lawsuit based upon the Plaintiff's contention that such threats constitute retaliation in violation of California Government Code §12940(f).
The Plaintiff Tony Woods is represented by Scott D. Myer of the Myer Law Firm, who handles cases involving sexual harassment, employment discrimination and personal injury law.
For More Information Contact:
Scott D. Myer
MYER LAW FIRM
1800 Century Park East, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Tel: 310.277.3000
Fax: 310.492.5413
Web: bestlawyer.com®
Email: sdm@myerlaw.com
