LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles County man is suing the secretary of veterans affairs, alleging unlawful discrimination.
Max Sabra filed a complaint Dec. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Does 1 through 10, alleging violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act due to unlawful and intentional discrimination.
According to the complaint, between Dec. 23, 2010 and Feb. 10, 2012, during the course of his employment with the department as as a biomedical engineer in Marion, Indiana, until he was constructively terminated, Sabra was harassed and adversely treated in his employment based on his religion and national origin, and in retaliation for engaging in a protected activity by protesting the harassment and discrimination he endured.
As a result, Sabra, a Muslim of Greek and Arab national origin, says he suffered emotional distress and threats to his safety and well-being.
The plaintiff alleges Shinseki created a hostile work environment to an employee on the basis of his religion and national origin.
Sabra seeks trial by jury, compensatory damages, interest on judgment, recovery of all reasonable attorney fees, an injunction, and all other relief the court deems proper. He is represented by attorney Barbara E. Figari of The Figari Law Firm in Pasadena.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California case number 2:17-cv-09139-JAK-JPR