LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION
Cuban Custodians Harassed
Collier County, FL: (Mar-24-08) Three custodial employees at Tommie Barfield Elementary School brought a discrimination lawsuit against the Collier County School District, alleging that they were discriminated against on the basis of their race. Teresita Rodriguez, Orquidia Pino and Adelfo Rives filed the lawsuit, claiming that they were discriminated against by their former supervisor, John Shea. The suit further stated that the discrimination remained unchecked by the school's principal, Jory Westberry. The three plaintiffs are of Cuban descent.
The lawsuit claimed that Shea inappropriately touched Rodriguez's buttocks in an unwelcome, sexually harassing manner in August 2004. It stated that no corrective actions have been taken to prevent the conduct. Shea denied the allegation and a district internal report found no evidence it occurred. All three custodians also alleged that Shea reprimanded them for speaking Spanish at work, and referred to them as stupid Cubans. They maintained that Westberry was informed, but he had not taken any corrective measures. According to school records, the district also found there was no evidence to support that Westberry covered up allegations or acted inappropriately in her duties as principal.
As part of a settlement reached, sources confirmed that the Collier County School District paid $50,000 to resolve the discrimination lawsuits. The three will keep their jobs after they receive their settlement checks as part of the terms of settlement. [MARCO EAGLE: COLLIER SCHOOL DISTRICT SETTLES RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT]
Published on Mar-26-08
The lawsuit claimed that Shea inappropriately touched Rodriguez's buttocks in an unwelcome, sexually harassing manner in August 2004. It stated that no corrective actions have been taken to prevent the conduct. Shea denied the allegation and a district internal report found no evidence it occurred. All three custodians also alleged that Shea reprimanded them for speaking Spanish at work, and referred to them as stupid Cubans. They maintained that Westberry was informed, but he had not taken any corrective measures. According to school records, the district also found there was no evidence to support that Westberry covered up allegations or acted inappropriately in her duties as principal.
As part of a settlement reached, sources confirmed that the Collier County School District paid $50,000 to resolve the discrimination lawsuits. The three will keep their jobs after they receive their settlement checks as part of the terms of settlement. [
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