A male employee at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston claims he was demoted because of his gender and has filed a discrimination suit against UTMB.
Erik Tolpo filed his suit in the Jefferson County District Court on April 1.
According to the plaintiff's petition, Tolpo is a public employee of UTMB, a state governmental entity. Until he was demoted Oct. 19, 2006, he worked as a practice manager for the Correctional Managed Care department.
"Tolpo brings this case pursuant to Section 2I.001 … of Texas Labor Code, because of adverse personnel actions, including demotion taken against him by UTMB arising out of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation," the suit said.
"Tolpo would show that because of the retaliation, he has sustained actual damages and reasonable attorneys' fees, for which he seeks to recover herein."
In his suit, Tolpo says he was demoted because he filed a discrimination complaint against his female supervisor sometime in April 2006. Since that time, Tolpo claims a pattern of retaliation and discrimination has manifested against him.
Since filing the complaint against his supervisor, Tolpo has gone from making $62,000 a year to $36,000.
He is suing for past and future loss of earnings, medical expenses, emotional pain, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience and all court costs.
Tolpo is also asking to be reinstated to his former position.
He is in part represented by Thomas Peterson of Peterson, Petit & Peterson law firm.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th Judicial District, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. A181-529