HOUSTON – A Fort Bend County woman has sued the Consulate General of the State of Qatar for alleged sex discrimination, according to recent Houston federal court records.
Ghania Brakhi’s lawsuit, filed on June 23, asserts the plaintiff lost her job as a translator with the defendant because she refused to engage in a sexual relationship with Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed Al Homaid, the head of the Qatari mission.
The defendant reportedly employed Brakhi for about five years until Dec. 24, 2015.
Court documents say Al Homaid required the complainant to carry a passport sized photo of him in her wallet and would threaten to fire her if she was found without his picture in her wallet.
Brakhi, an American of Algerian descent, adds the consul general bought her a cell phone so that he could reach her at all times, including outside of work hours. He also had her move her office next to his office, the suit says.
The plaintiff further recalls several purported instances in which Al Homaid made her uncomfortable, stating she was offended and distressed by his behavior.
Brakhi consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
She is represented by attorney Matías J. Adrogué and Leila M. El-Hakam of the law firm Leila M. El-Hakam, PLLC in Houston and Karla Evans Epperson of Karla Evans Epperson Law in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:17-CV-1926