Former employee sues Lynn Shelter Association for $400G

LYNN – The Lynn Shelter Association is being sued for $400,000 by a former employee who claims she was terminated after complaining about discriminatory practices between white and black homeless clients, according to a lawsuit filed in Salem Superior Court.Denise McNeil, of 58 Cottage St., Apt. 21, Lynn, filed the three-count court action Tuesday against the Lynn Shelter Association located at 24 Baker St., Lynn, executive director Marjorie St. Paul and resident director O?Neil Gray.In the complaint filed by Attorney Jeffrey R. Mazer of Lynnfield, he states that McNeil began working for LSA as a direct care professional on or about Sept. 9, 2009 as a part-time employee.Her duties included assisting the homeless with any services necessary in an attempt to help them obtain affordable housing, transitional assistance and any other services they may require, according to the lawsuit.She reported directly to Gray.In December, McNeil contends that she began observing that the white homeless clients were treated “more harshly” than black homeless clients, who would receive “expedited assistance” relief in housing, medical insurance and education services while Caucasians waited significant periods of time to receive the same services.In spite of the program?s policy prohibiting people under the influence of drugs or alcohol to stay at the shelter, blacks were allowed to stay while whites were not, according to the lawsuit.McNeil says she informed Gray about the treatment in February 2010, but Gray was “dismissive and either failed or refused to conduct an investigation,” Mazer writes in the lawsuit.On April 19, 2010, McNeil then decided to raise her complaint directly to St. Paul and the Board of Directors by e-mail.About a week later, Gray contacted McNeil and terminated her employment, according to the lawsuit.St. Paul did not return a phone call made about the lawsuit.