Plaintiffs in the case alleged they had audio recordings in which the top HR executive for New Orleans’ Regional Transit Authority acknowledged several employment law violations.

• The CHRO of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority allegedly admitted the existence of a hostile work environment at the organization that protected harassers from consequences, according to a lawsuit filed April 10 by a group of current and former employees.
• Plaintiffs in Garner v. New Orleans Regional Transit Authority also claimed that the CHRO — as captured in a series of audio recordings of several executives — acknowledged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act as well as retaliation against employees who raised concerns about RTA’s employment practices.
• The lawsuit alleged a wide range of claims including discrimination, retaliation, assault and battery as well as violations of the FLSA, Family and Medical Leave Act and Equal Pay Act, among other laws. The plaintiffs seek monetary and injunctive relief in addition to a jury trial. An RTA spokesperson declined to comment.

The plaintiffs cited at least nine separate audio recordings that featured conversations with executives including the CHRO, chief transit officer and other RTA managers and directors. The recordings “constitute direct evidence of discriminatory intent, retaliatory animus, deliberate indifference, and willful violations of federal and state law,” plaintiffs claimed.

For instance, when one plaintiff asked the CHRO...

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