FRESNO – A man alleges he was wrongfully terminated by an Orange County facility over a terminated employee's allegations of sexual harassment that were without merit.
Ernesto Marroquin filed a complaint on Sept. 4 in the Fresno County Superior Court against TJD LLC, doing business as Horizon Health and Subacute LLC; et al. alleging defamation, wrongful termination, failure to prevent gender harassment and other counts.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 5, 2017, Marroquin was terminated as an employee of defendants after 17 years of employment. He alleges a female employee who had previously been terminated accused him of sexual harassment and he believes a workplace investigation determined he had not engaged in sexual harassment and that the claims were without merit.
"During the time of these events, plaintiff is informed that the employer was deadlocked in negotiations with the local union, who represented the female employee. Plaintiff believes management sacrificed him to gain an advantage in negotiations with the union," the suit states.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants conspired to and negligently caused him to be subjected to harassment in the course of his employment.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for general, special, punitive and compensatory damages; mental and emotional distress; award of attorney's fees; interest; costs of suit; expert fees; and for such other and further relief as the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Keith B. Teague of The Teague Law Group in Fresno.
Fresno County Superior Court case number 18CECG03281