ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A city employee who helped spark an investigation into racism and discrimination at City Hall was fired Monday.
Karen Ocasio, a now-former human resources worker who filed complaints against the city with Pennsylvania’s equal-employment opportunity and human relations commissions, was notified Monday that her employment would end the same day.
The letter — viewed by LehighValleyNews.com — was sent by Mayor Matt Tuerk and did not specify a reason for the termination.
Ocasio has repeatedly spoken at Allentown City Council meetings since the NAACP Allentown Branch released a letter in July alleging numerous instances of workplace racism and discrimination.
Allentown City Council in October approved an investigation into those allegations. Council members Ed Zucal, Ce-Ce Gerlach and council President Daryl Hendricks are working with the city’s Purchasing Bureau to hire an investigative agency.
Allentown communications manager Genesis Ortega said Monday that Tuerk’s administration does not comment on personnel decisions.
Ocasio did not immediately respond to LehighValleyNews.com.
In September, Ocasio told council that some coworkers told her: “Where the managers sit is the United States and where the administrators, back where I was, is Mexico.”
She said she was moved out of her office without warning and taunted for her new working location after returning from medical leave.
“All my complaints were ignored,” Ocasio said Sept....
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