Assistant attorney general files racial discrimination lawsuit after losing job

A former assistant attorney general has filed a racial and gender discrimination lawsuit against the state that claims she was terminated after making a complaint about gender-based pay discrimination.

Pauline G. Feist filed suit against Louisiana State Department of Justice on July 5 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, Feist was employed by the state in its medical malpractice section in New Orleans and was terminated April 14, 2009. She was told she was fired for mishandling a recent case, the suit claims. However, she contends that this reason was a pretext and that the real reason was in retaliation for her complaint about the defendant's failure to accommodate her with a parking space and for another complaint regarding gender-based pay discrimination.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for back and front pay with full benefits, interest, damages for emotional distress, attorney fees and court costs.

Feist is represented by Metairie attorney J. Courtney Wilson. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-01585