Discrimination - Verdict in favor of Plaintiff in the amount of US$680,000

Case Name:	Wanda Sinclair et al v. City of New York et al
Case Number:	13 Civ. 8304 (PKC)
Verdict Date:	2014-12-28
Outcome Type:	Settlement
Court:	U.S. District Court, Southern District, NeYorkw
Incident Date:	2009-09-15

Plaintiff's Complaint:
Wanda Sinclair, Diane Sherard, Elizabeth Mercado and Sharon Holder are four professional African-American and Hispanic women who have dedicated their careers to serving the City of New York and those who benefit from housing developed through the Housing Preservation Department ("HPD"). Over the course of their several decade long service to the City, these women have been model employees, trained and supervised younger employees, successfully steered large projects to completion and ensured housing availability for working New Yorkers and their families. Plaintiffs are ready and able to fill key leadership positions, particularly as affordable housing continues to be one of the more pressing issues facing Mayor de Blasio' administration. However, the City and HPD has decided not to value their decades of experience and insight. Over the last few years these women have been passed over time and time again for considerably younger, less experienced and mostly white candidates.

Injury, Damage, or Loss:
As a proximate result of Defendants' discriminatory conduct towards them, Plaintiffs suffered significant monetary loss, and damages, including the loss of past and future earnings, and other employment benefits, estimated to be no less than $950,000.00. As a further proximate result of Defendants' actions, Plaintiffs suffered severe emotional distress, lasting embarrassment, humiliation and anguish, as well as, other incidental and consequential damages and expenses.

Defendant's Wrongdoing:
As a direct result of HPD' deliberate policies, Plaintiffs have been consistently passed-over for promotions and salary increases. They are simply not considered for any career growth opportunities, in favor of younger, less experienced, and overwhelmingly white employees who have relied on the training and expertise of the Plaintiffs to navigate and gain experience at HPD. As a consequence, these younger, white employees advanced to become supervisors over the very Plaintiffs who have trained and developed them within the agency. Plaintiffs participate in, supervise, direct, and manage housing development projects under programs and initiatives established for the purpose of preserving and developing the City' affordable housing stock.

Plaintiff's Attorneys:
MADUEGBUNA COOPER LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW 30 WALL STREET, 8th Floor NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005 (212) 232-0155 (Tel) (212)232-0156 (Fax) www.mcande.com sam.m@mcande.com

Defendant's Attorneys:
ZACHARY W. CARTER Corporation Counsel of the City of New York Law Department 100 Church Street, Room 2-123 New York, New York 10007 Attention: Donna Canfield, Esq. (212) 356-2461 (Tel) email:dcanfiel@law.nyc.gov.

Judge/Arbitrator/Mediator:
Hon. P. Kevin Castel U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007

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Published on Jan-27-15