ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A former Allentown human relations officer alleges Mayor Matt Tuerk forced out older, minority employees in favor of young, white employees.
The claim comes in a lawsuit filed this week.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of Tatiana Tooley claims she was supposed to transfer to a new position of DEI manager, but instead of getting the new role, she was terminated in what she says is a pattern of ageist and racial discrimination at city hall.
In the 15 page lawsuit, Tatiana Tooley a 56 year old Latina claims that while she was a Human Relations Officer for the city of Allentown, Mayor Matt Tuerk told her she was going to transition to a new position of Diversity and Equity and Inclusion Manager.
Tooley claims as time when on that transfer didn’t happen, and that some of the duties for the job she was promised were transferred to a younger, white employee who lacked the necessary experience.
She says during that time, she watched Mayor Tuerk fire or discharge a number of older, minority employees in senior positions and replace them with younger, white employees.
The filing says, “It became increasingly clear to Mrs. Tooley that Mayor Matt Tuerk had no intention of formally and officially transitioning Mrs. Tooley to a position under his direct supervision in the Office of the Mayor due to her age, race and national origin.”
We reached out to the City of Allentown for comment.
This isn’t the only claim of alleged ageism or racial discrimination filed against the city.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to 69 News for more information.