A landmark ruling limits how faith-based organizations can defend against hostile work environment suits
A New York appeals court just narrowed religious employers' ability to dodge harassment lawsuits, ruling that faith-based protections don't cover workplace abuse.
On December 18, the Appellate Division in Manhattan revived a lawsuit brought by three employees at St. Joseph by the Sea High School, a Catholic school on Staten Island. The employees say they endured a toxic workplace under the school's principal, Father Michael P. Reilly, who they claim hurled racist, sexist, ageist, and homophobic slurs at them regularly.
Lawrence Boliak, Maureen Smith, and Thomas Rodes worked at the school and claim Father Reilly's verbal abuse was relentless. According to their lawsuit, the principal used vulgar language and degrading epithets as part of his daily management style. Two other administrators, Vice Principal Robert Richard and Dean of Men Greg Manos, allegedly joined in, repeating Father Reilly's offensive remarks and helping him target staff members.
The employees also pointed fingers up the chain of command. They say Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who leads the Archdiocese of New York and personally appointed Father Reilly, knew what was happening but did nothing to stop it. The Archdiocese itself was also named as a defendant.
When the school and church officials were sued, they tried to get the case thrown out using what lawyers call the ministerial exception. This legal...
On Tuesday, Border Czar Greg Bovino alleged nearly 500 "criminal aliens" were released from state custody. ST PAUL, Minn. — At a news conference on Tuesday, ICE officials alleged that hundreds of u...