Carmen Valentinuz, a former employee of a private club in Florida, has filed a lawsuit alleging age discrimination and retaliation after she was terminated from her position. The complaint was filed on October 30, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County against The Ocean Club of Florida Inc., where Valentinuz worked as a bartender.
Valentinuz claims that during her employment at The Ocean Club, she faced discrimination due to her age. She alleges that younger employees were favored over her despite their inferior performance. Her manager, Joseph Pavone, reportedly told her that she struggled to work with younger colleagues. Valentinuz voiced her concerns about this perceived discrimination multiple times, including a formal written complaint on February 21, 2023. Instead of addressing these complaints, Valentinuz asserts that the club retaliated by terminating her employment on March 17, 2023.
The lawsuit accuses The Ocean Club of violating the Florida Civil Rights Act and the Florida Private Whistleblower’s Act. According to the complaint, Valentinuz's termination was a direct result of her objections to unlawful workplace practices. She contends that she was seen as a troublemaker for challenging discriminatory behavior and believes this led to her dismissal.
Valentinuz is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for lost wages and benefits, along with punitive damages and compensation for emotional distress caused by the alleged discrimination and retaliation. Additionally, she requests declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent future occurrences of such conduct at The Ocean Club.
The case is being handled by attorneys Brian D. Buckstein and Elizabeth M. Fernandez from Gonzalez Shenkman & Buckstein P.L., representing Carmen Valentinuz. The case number is 502024CA010366XXXAMB Div: AJ and it will be presided over in Palm Beach County court.