A former employee of a non-profit organization has filed a lawsuit alleging multiple instances of discrimination and labor law violations. Barry Graves, Jr. filed the complaint on March 20, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, against Community Housing Partnership doing business as RiseHome, along with several individuals associated with the organization.
The complaint by Barry Graves Jr. details allegations of discrimination based on physical disability, hostile work environment, retaliation, and wrongful termination among other grievances. Graves claims that during his employment at Community Housing Partnership (CHP), he faced numerous discriminatory practices due to his mental health conditions which include depression and anxiety. According to the complaint, these conditions were disclosed to CHP in January 2024. Despite being granted ADA leave for treatment in July 2024, upon his return he was reassigned to a different location purportedly for his mental well-being. However, the situation escalated when he took sick leave in March 2025 due to flu symptoms but was subsequently terminated for not calling off work on one occasion despite having provided a physician's note.
Graves accuses CHP and its representatives—Andre Sandford (his former supervisor), Janea Jackson (CEO), and Katriel Spiker (Interim Director)—of failing to accommodate his disability and engaging in retaliatory actions following his absences related to health issues. The lawsuit asserts that these actions violate several sections of the California Government Code §12940 which prohibits discrimination based on physical disabilities and mandates reasonable accommodations.
Furthermore, Graves' lawsuit extends beyond discrimination claims to include various labor law violations such as willful misclassification as an exempt employee leading to unpaid overtime wages under California Labor Code §§510 et seq., failure to provide meal periods as per Labor Code §226.7, and failure to reimburse business expenses according to Labor Code §2802. He alleges that these violations resulted in financial losses and emotional distress.
Graves seeks compensatory damages amounting to $149,200 for lost wages and benefits alongside $1 million for emotional distress caused by CHP’s alleged misconduct. Additionally, he requests punitive damages citing malicious intent behind the wrongful termination and discriminatory practices by CHP’s management. The lawsuit also demands statutory penalties for labor code violations along with attorney fees.
Representing Barry Graves Jr., attorneys Kevin A. Lipeles, Thomas H. Schelly, and Franz T. Reece from Lipeles Law Group have taken up this case against Community Housing Partnership dba RiseHome with Case ID CGC-25-623502 under Judge's jurisdiction at San Francisco Superior Court.