Ex-security guard sues over alleged sexual harassment

NEW ORLEANS – A local woman is suing her former employer for allegedly failing to investigate and protect her from sexual harassment and religious discrimination in the workplace.

Trina Peterson filed suit against Edifice Protection Group, a national security company, and Poydras Center LLC in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

Peterson began working for Edifice on Jan. 1, 2013 and was assigned to work at 650 Poydras Street, owned and operated by Poydras Center. She alleges that she was subjected to a pattern of harassment, defamation, gender discrimination, religious discrimination and sexual harassment by employees of Poydras Center. Peterson asserts she filed complaints with her supervisor at Edifice, Mark Costello, but Edifice failed to perform an investigation. She then filed a complaint with the management of Poydras Center, Jeanne Renda. Peterson claims that Renda also failed to perform an investigation. Peterson claims she incurred several anxiety-related problems including a hospital visit, which forced her to resign in late January 2013.

Peterson is filing for unspecified damages requested she maintains will fall under $75,000, allowing for the case to be tried in this court.

Plaintiff is represented by Myles Steib of Metairie-based Gardner & Steib.

Case is assigned to Division C Judge Sidney H. Cates IV.

Case no. 2013-11550.