A band of former retirement home employees are claiming they were discriminated against after cooperating with an Adult Protection Services investigation. Apparently, the state of Texas shut down Four J's Community Living Center following the investigation.
Audrey Molten, Mary Langley, Linda Guillory, Latasha Smith and Doris Hickerson filed suit against Four J's Community Living Center, alleging "that they were terminated or otherwise discriminated against because of their cooperation with APS."
The plaintiffs' suit was filed on May 28 in the Jefferson County District Court.
The plaintiffs, all former Four J's Community Living Center employees, were interviewed by APS in connection with the facility located at 4685 Arkansas St. in Beaumont.
"Each … Plaintiff alleges that they cooperated fully with the State of Texas' investigation," the suit says.
"Following (the) investigation, Plaintiffs allege that the State of Texas … caused the facility to be closed. Thereafter, Plaintiffs allege that they were terminated or otherwise discriminated against because of their cooperation with APS."
The suit does not state when the facility was shut down.
The plaintiffs are bringing their cause of action under section §142.0093 of the Texas Health & Safety Code.
"In particular, Plaintiffs allege that such statute prohibits a person licensed from retaliating against another person for filing a complaint, presenting a grievance, or providing good-faith information relating to home health, hospice, or personal assistance services provided by a license holder," the suit says.
"In addition to the foregoing, Plaintiffs bring a 'Sabine Pilot' cause of action against the Defendant for retaliation. Plaintiff alleges that each of them was retaliated against for fully cooperating with the State of Texas, which was a proximate and/or producing cause of damages to the Plaintiffs."
The plaintiffs are suing for past and future mental anguish and lost wages.
They are represented by attorney Tommy Yeates of the Moore Landrey law firm.
The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th Judicial District.
Case No. B181-819