ST. LOUIS — A former assistant registrar is suing a state university, citing alleged racial discrimination.
Lori Smith Jennaway filed a complaint in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Harris-Stowe State University and Chauvette McElmurry-Green, alleging that the defendants violated the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA).
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on April 1, 2009, the plaintiff started working for the defendants, and within three weeks, she began to experience constant harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The plaintiff claims she was never promoted, did not receive a raise as promised, was called only by her last name, yelled at in front of co-workers and constantly threatened to be terminated for mistakes made. As a result, Jennaway claims her health started deteriorating, and she voluntarily withdrew her employment.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent and/or promptly correct the racially offensive, harassing and discriminatory conduct and failed to take prompt and effective remedial action in effect, condoned, ratified, and/or authorized the racial discrimination and retaliation against plaintiff.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for compensatory, nominal and/or punitive damages in such amount in excess of $25,000, plus attorneys' fees, costs, interest and other relief the court deems just and proper. She is represented by Jeremy D. Hollingshead and Katie M. Rhoten of Hollingshead & Dudley in St. Louis and Thomas J. SanFilippo of Thomas SanFilippo & Associates in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC01191