A Pasadena woman is suing her employer over claims she was treated unlawfully and threatened after standing up for fellow employee who was being mistreated.
Maria Pecina filed a lawsuit April 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Memorial Hermann Health System, doing business as Memorial Hermann Hospital System, citing discrimination.
Pecina claims she began working for the defendant on March 8, 2000, and in 2007 the defendant hired Israel Gracia who became a supervisor. The suit alleges Gracia started to harass Pecina's coworker Massie and treated her differently from the younger employees, stating Massie was too old and that she should retire.
According to the brief, Pecina was interviewed and gave testimony of the discrimination Massie was experiencing from Gracia. As a result of Pecina's testimony she was discliplined under the guise of performance issues, even though her work history was impeccable.
Pecina claims she was given a heavier workload, denied assistance for the heavy workload, forced to work off the clock and threatened with termination.
Pecina is seeking damages, back pay of salary and benefits, reinstatement of position, attorney's fees, interest and court costs.
She is being represented in the case by Houston attorneys Mark G. Lazarz, Sidd Rao and Daryl J. Sinkule of Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:14-cv-00937
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Houston County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.