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Copy of Press Release
Suitable for Printing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los
Angeles County Served
With Discrimination Lawsuit.
EEOC Issues “Reasonable Cause”
Finding of Discrimination Alleged that County
Disregarded blueCONSULTING Audit.
FEBRUARY 20, 2009 – LOS ANGELES – A lawsuit was served today
upon Los Angeles County, for harassment,
discrimination, retaliation, and Civil Rights
violations. The lawsuit, titled Scott v. County of Los Angeles, et al.,
filed on January 26, 2009, in the Los Angeles Superior
Court, as Case BC406340, alleges that Plaintiff,
Leamon Scott, was working for Los Angeles County Department of
Community and Senior Services, as a Social Services Supervisor. Mr.
Scott, a 31-year County employee, is an African-American male, and alleges that
County failed to promote him and reduced his job
responsibilities after he complained, and then forced him
to resign. Scott alleges that on or about August 10, 2006, he “expressed
his concerns regarding Blacks not being promoted above
the supervisor level,” and that he had an “interest in
being promoted to [an] Administrator...position.” Scott alleges that then on or
about October 6, 2006, his unit was
reorganized, and “everyone in [Scott’s] unit was
promoted to...Administrator...level positions except [Scott],” and Scott’s “job
tasks and responsibilities were reduced and [his] job
title was changed.”
Following an extensive investigation, the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) issued a finding that
“Examination of the evidence reveals reasonable cause
to believe that [Scott’s] claim of different terms and conditions of
employment (out-of-class assignment) because of his race (Black).”
Scott further
alleges that in 2004, the County conducted a “Management Audit of the Department
of Community & Senior Services,” by blueCONSULTING,
which included many findings and recommendations,
including finding that “Some employees reported that if they are
outspoken or question the status quo, they may be retaliated against,”
and “individuals reported being...passed over for
promotion.” Scott further alleges that notwithstanding that
the blueCONSULTING audit recommendation that the County “Eliminate all
out-of-class...bonuses that are currently being paid,” and that there was a
“Perception that management uses the ‘acting’ title to
ensure that preferred personnel obtain future
promotion,” and that “Many individuals at all organizational levels have
reported inappropriate implementation of out-of-class
bonus payments, promotions, transfer, or disciplinary
policies,” the County “failed to fully implement the blue CONSULTING audit,
and continued to use ‘out-of-class,’ ‘temporary,’ and/or fictional
‘emergency’ assignments, as well as failing to post
promotional exams, and other policies, in such a manner to
discriminate against Blacks.”
The Complaint, which includes a copy of the
EEOC’s Determination Letter, seeks unspecified
damages, including for loss of income, mental and emotional distress, and
punitive damages against the individual defendants, and further seeks an
injunction requiring County to enter into various
corrective actions. For More
Information or to Request a Copy of the
Complaint, Contact Mr. Scott’s Attorney: Scott D. Myer,
MYER LAW FIRM,
1800 Century Park East, Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90067, Telephone
(310) 277-3000, Facsimile
(310) 855-3380, Website
bestlawyer.com®,
email:
sdm@myerlaw.com.
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) 855-3380
Web:
bestlawyer.com®
Email:
sdm@myerlaw.com
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