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Three Ex-Employees Sue WNY Housing Authority Alleging Discrimination, Retaliation
Three former employees of the West New York Housing Authority have filed a civil lawsuit against the authority and its Board Chairman, alleging age, disability, and race discrimination, a hostile work environment, and retaliation.
The Law Office of Rosemarie Arnold filed the complaint on behalf of Maria Martin, Nancy Ruiz, and Charlene Otha on May 26 in Hudson County Superior Court. The lawsuit names the West New York Housing Authority and Board Chairman Gene Martaroney, who is named in his individual capacity.
The complaint alleges that Martaroney maintained a list of older and disabled employees he intended to force out of the agency. One plaintiff alleges she was directed to issue Section 8 housing vouchers to applicants who were unqualified under federal rules and was pushed out after objecting. The complaint also names coworker Johanna Beneitez as part of its account.
The lawsuit was filed under New Jersey’s anti-discrimination law and is currently active.
“For years, our clients faced harassment, abuse, and discrimination at the authority due to their ages, disabilities, and race,” said Hannah Bacon, attorney for the Plaintiffs. “It was all designed and carried out in a strategic, calculated effort to force them out when they were viewed as ‘too old or disabled’ to work despite the fact that they had devoted decades of their lives to the authority and were outstanding, award-winning employees. Nobody should be treated this way, and we are eager to fight for our clients and vindicate their rights under the law.”
The West New York Housing Authority, based at 6100 Adams Street in West New York, did not respond to a request for comment from HudPost.
These are allegations contained in a civil complaint. The defendants have not yet responded in court and are presumed innocent unless and until found liable in a court of law.
