Harrah's dealer files age discrimination lawsuit

A former casino dealer has filed an age discrimination lawsuit against Harrah's over her firing.

Claiming violations of her civil rights, Lucy Courtade filed suit against Harrah's Operating Company Inc. d/b/a Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and Larry Barrett on Oct. 21 in federal court in New Orleans.

Courtade states she began working for the defendants in January 2001 as a dealer. According to her complaint, she was harassed and was exposed to inappropriate comments beginning in 2008 after her supervisor starting implying she should retire. She states she was fed up and tired of the comments and confronted her supervisor in January.

She claims she was terminated from her employment within a week of her complaints.

She was allegedly terminated for not following proper procedures but Courtade maintains that was sham, invented by her supervisor to create a reason for her termination.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for back pay, loss of wages, income and benefits, general damages for mental anguish, injury to reputation, humiliation and embarrassment, punitive damages, attorney's fees, interest and court costs.

Courtade is represented by New Orleans attorney David Capasso. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv-04036