Employee sues ASI for losing job after reporting sexual harassment

A former credit union employee is suing her employer alleging she was terminated for reporting sexual harassment.

Alleging retaliation and racial and gender discrimination, Kim James filed suit against ASI Federal Credit Union on Oct. 21 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, James began working for the company on Oct. 5, 2009 and was terminated on Nov. 9, 2009.

Shortly before she was terminated, James states she repeatedly turned down advances from the security guard. She reported the sexual harassment to management.

Further, James states she had a poor working relationship with a co-worker who was assigned to train her and complained about the situation to her manager.

The plaintiff states the co-worker retaliated by making accusations against James to the company's human resources department and James was subsequently fired.

She accuses the defendant of retaliation and gender and racial discrimination in violation of her civil rights.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for back pay and benefits, reinstatement or front pay and benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation and embarrassment, punitive damages, attorney's fees and costs.

James is represented by Baton Rouge attorney Dan M. Scheuermann.

U.S. District Judge A. J. McNamara is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10-cv-03912