Zatuchni & Associates Files Retaliation and Age Discrimination Lawsuit On Behalf of Police Lieutenant Who Was Denied Promotion Due To Military Service In Iraq

Zatuchni & Associates filed a lawsuit on March 29, 2007 against the New Jersey Transit Police on behalf of Lieutenant Charles Thomas, a 19 year veteran of the force.  The lawsuit alleges that Lt. Thomas was not considered for a promotion to Captain in 2005 because of his military reserve obligations in Iraq and also because of his age (60).  The lawsuit alleges that after Lt. Thomas filed a grievance pursuant to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), he was subjected further discrimination and retaliation by being denied another promotion to Captain in 2006, which was instead awarded to a less qualified applicant in her early forties.  The lawsuit seeks recovery for back pay, emotional distress, and punitive damages.  Click here for a copy of the filed Complaint.

Zatuchni & Associates Asserts Civil RICO Claims Against Toys ‘R’ Us On Behalf Of Employees Replaced By Illegal Aliens

Zatuchni & Associates represents five former employees of Toys ‘R’ who worked at the company’s warehouse/distribution facility in Somerset, New Jersey.  Toys ‘R’ claims that these employees were terminated as part of a general layoff.  The lawsuit alleges, however, that the general layoff was simply a cover for Toys ‘R’ Us to replace its existing workforce with cheaper labor consisting of illegal aliens to whom the company did not have to pay medical or other benefits.  The lawsuit alleges that Toys ‘R’ Us conspired with a third-party “staffing” company as part of an unlawful scheme to obtain, harbor, and transport illegal alien in order to reduce its labor costs.  The lawsuit asserts claims against Toys ‘R’ Us for wrongful discharge, conspiracy, and under the civil RICO statutes.

Zatuchni & Associates Obtains $3.2 Million Verdict On Behalf Of Whistleblower

Zatuchni & Associates represented Kathleen Stahl, a former employee of A.C. Moore, in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company under the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA).  Ms. Stahl brought her lawsuit in Burlington County, New Jersey claiming that she was subjected to intolerable retaliatory harassment after she blew the whistle on a manager’s unlawful scheme to avoid paying overtime wages.  On October 30, 2006, after a week long trial, the jury returned a verdict in Ms. Stahl’s favor in the amount of $3.2 million.  The jury awarded Ms. Stahl $1.8 million in compensatory damages, including for emotional distress.  The jury further awarded Ms. Stahl $1.5 million in punitive damages.

Zatuchni & Associates Represents Former Food Services Director for Nutley Board Of Education In Whistleblower and First Amendment Lawsuit

On April 18, 2007, Zatuchni & Associates formally took on the representation of Linda Scarpa, a former Food Services Director for the Nutley Board of Education for 21 years.  Ms. Scarpa’s lawsuit alleges that she was terminated in retaliation for her statements and complaints to the Board during a public meeting that the planned renewal of a food services agreement with Pomptonian, Inc.,  a food services contractor, was both illegal and contrary to the public interest of the citizens of Nutley Township.  The lawsuit alleges that after having made these comments of vital public concern, the Superintendent of the School’s and the Township’s Business Manager retaliated against Ms. Scarpa by refusing to renew her contract, which had previously been renewed for 21 years.  The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Scarpa was told by these managers that she was not being renewed because she “opened her big mouth.”  Zatuchni & Associates has filed an Amended Complaint which adds a First Amendment claim in addition to the whistleblower claim that had already previously been asserted.  Click here for the latest newspaper article on this case.