A former employee has taken legal action against a nonprofit organization, alleging severe violations of employment laws. On February 24, 2025, Kyle Muelrath filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against Community Housing Partnership, doing business as HomeRise. The lawsuit accuses the nonprofit of disability discrimination and wrongful termination among other claims.
The case unfolds with Muelrath's tenure at HomeRise as the Director of Housing Operations from April to September 2024. According to the complaint, Muelrath began experiencing health issues in July 2024, which he communicated to his supervisor Karen Erickson and CEO Janéa Jackson. Despite notifying them about his medical condition and upcoming tests for polyps in his gallbladder, Muelrath alleges that Erickson's behavior shifted negatively towards him. He was excluded from meetings and asked to work in a different office part-time. Just one day before a scheduled medical appointment on September 11, 2024, Muelrath was abruptly terminated without explanation.
Muelrath's lawsuit argues that his termination was due to his disability or perceived disability and his request for accommodations related to potential surgery. He claims this violates several provisions under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), including failure to provide reasonable accommodation and engage in an interactive process regarding his medical needs. The complaint states: "Defendants discriminated against Plaintiff on the basis of physical disability... by engaging in such discriminatory actions against Plaintiff."
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court including general damages, special damages, compensatory and consequential damages, punitive damages for alleged malicious conduct by HomeRise’s managing agents, attorney’s fees, and costs of suit. These demands underscore the gravity of accusations leveled against HomeRise concerning their treatment of employees with disabilities.
Representing Kyle Muelrath are attorneys Ronald W. Makarem and Joshua I. Epstein from Makarem & Associates APLC. The case is identified under Case No. CGC-25-622666 in front of the Superior Court of California.