TAMPA - Cheryl Martin filed a federal lawsuit on November 26 in the Middle District of Florida against the Lake County Board of County Commissioners for Title VII claim for discrimination/termination of employment based on race.
According to the lawsuit, Martin is a Black woman who worked for Defendant as a temporary employee through Spherion Agency from 2012 to May 2013, when she became a permanent employee and worked for the Public Works Engineering director and Supervisor of Environmental Services until December 2, 2019. On December 2, 2019, Plaintiff was transferred to Defendant’s Solid Waste Department at which time Martin began experiencing being treated differently, the suit says.
She says she not trained in her new position, was cited for a no-call-no-show despite filing an application for leave a week prior, having other requests for days off denied, was accused of making errors she did not make and "constantly" overheard co-workers belittling her. Martin was terminated on March 22, 2021.
Defendant is alleged to have altered the terms and atmosphere of work circumstances and work environment, treating Black employees differently than non-Black employees and terminating Martin's employment.
Martin seeks a judgment for restitution, compensatory and punitive damages, cost of suit and attorney's fees. Martin is represented by Neil Bryan Tygar of Delray Beach.
Middle District Court of Florida case number 5:21-cv-00573-JSM-PRL