NEW ORLEANS - Jonathan D. Koeppel filed a federal complaint on October 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against St. Tammany Parish School Board and Frank J. Jabbia for unlawful disparate treatment discrimination based on disability and failure to reasonably accommodate under the Rehabilitation Act.
According to the complaint, Koeppel was hired as a teacher on June 23, 2020, by the St. Tammany Parish School Board. During his employment, Koeppel alleges that he was discriminated against for being an outspoken political activist of the Republican voting nature.
Koeppel, who suffers from breathing issues, alleges that in retaliation to his outspoken political views that conflicted with many of his co-workers, his employer refused to make reasonable accommodations for his disability. Koeppel, who says he could not wear a mask because of his health issues, alleges that he faced discrimination. He was terminated on August 18, 2021.
Koeppel seeks back wages, lost future wages, compensatory damages, statutory damages, punitive damages, litigation costs, reasonable attorneys fees and legal interest. Koeppel is represented by Kevin S. Vogeltanz.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:21-cv-01821-JCZ-MBN