A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a Florida municipal corporation, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation. Tennille Decoste, the plaintiff, submitted her complaint on November 6, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, accusing the City of Boynton Beach of violating her civil rights.
Tennille Decoste served as the Director of Human Resources for the City of Boynton Beach for approximately one year. During her tenure, she claims to have faced racial discrimination from city officials who allegedly criticized her for hiring too many Black women. Despite raising these concerns with City Manager Daniel Dugger and Deputy City Manager Andrew Mack in September and November 2023, no action was taken. In December 2023, after filing a formal complaint with Mayor Ty Penserga regarding these discriminatory remarks, Decoste was placed on administrative leave. The city initiated an investigation into anonymous complaints related to her campaign activities for a commissioner position in Delray Beach. This investigation expanded into what Decoste describes as a "witch hunt," involving interviews with 32 witnesses and reviews of extensive documentation.
Decoste's termination followed shortly after the conclusion of this investigation in February 2024. She asserts that her dismissal was executed without adherence to progressive discipline policies or offering her a chance to clear her name. Additionally, during her administrative leave, all four Black women hired under her leadership were terminated by the city.
In response to these events, Decoste filed charges with both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR), receiving a Notice of Right to Sue from the Department of Justice. Her legal complaint accuses the City of Boynton Beach of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act by engaging in race-based discrimination and retaliatory actions against her.
Decoste seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 along with back pay and benefits lost due to wrongful termination. She also requests attorney's fees and costs associated with pursuing this case. Furthermore, she demands injunctive relief to prevent future discriminatory practices by the city and reinstatement or equivalent employment opportunities if feasible.
Representing Tennille Decoste is attorney Arthur T. Schofield from West Palm Beach-based law firm Arthur T. Schofield P.A. The Case ID: 502024CA010581 XXXAMB Div: AE.