TAMPA – An African-American woman claims her former Hillsborough County employer terminated her because of her race.
Tanisha Cross filed a complaint on Dec. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. alleging race discrimination.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in July 2007, she began working for the defendant as a financial assistant. Starting February 2016, the suit states that plaintiff's supervisors, Jason Lewis and Tony Puglia, both Caucasian males, subjected her to unfair treatment based on her race by drastically increasing her workload as opposed to her Caucasian counterparts. On Aug. 24, 2016, the plaintiff alleges she was terminated due to her race and as a result, she has suffered and will continue to suffer from mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of earnings, benefits and job opportunities.
The plaintiff holds Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly acted with malice and reckless disregard for plaintiff's protected rights.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant, enjoin defendant from future violations, compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement to a position comparable to her prior position or front pay, interest, costs, attorney's fees, and further relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Luis A. Cabassa of Wenzel Fenton Cabassa PA in Tampa.
Tampa Division for the Middle District of Florida Case number 8:16-cv-03421