Female Fire Chief Sues California City For Discrimination
The fire chief of Monterey Park, California has filed suit alleging she was discriminated against by city officials because she is gay. Cathleen Orchard’s lawsuit claims she is wrongfully being forced out of her job as fire chief, a position she had held since June, 2005.
The suit was filed on April 14, 2011 in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging gender and sexual orientation discrimination, harassment, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She alleges that city officials, including council members, shunned her, attempted to discredit her, and in at least one case berated her in public.
News reports about the case have had conflicting information about whether Chief Orchard had stepped down, but the Pasadena Star is reporting that she is still the chief, but out on leave.
