Longview couple sues debt collector for releasing details to co-workers

TYLER - A Longview couple has filed a lawsuit against a debt collector claiming that the collector violated federal law by telling co-workers of the nature of their debt.

Lyle Douglas and Carlas Douglas filed suit against Fitzgerald, Goldman and Associates Inc. on April 29 in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.

According to the lawsuit, the defendant contacted the plaintiffs in an attempt to collect a debt by placing calls to both plaintiffs’ residential telephone and Carlas’ place of employment.

The plaintiffs claim that they requested that the telephone calls stop.  In addition, Carlas states that during the telephone calls the defendant informed her co-workers of the nature of the debt.

The defendant is accused of invasions of plaintiffs’ personal privacy and repeated violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

The lawsuit is seeking an award of actual damages and statutory damages, court costs, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.

The plaintiffs are represented by Jody B. Burton of Lemberg & Associates in Stamford. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider is assigned to the case.

Case No. 6:13-cv-00362