The First Black Leader of the Human Rights Campaign files a lawsuit for his dismissal: NPR

Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David speaks to supporters on Saturday, December 19, 2020 during a voting event at a residence in Dunwoody, Ga. David filed a lawsuit against the organization in federal court, alleging that he was underpaid and subsequently terminated because he was black.

Bita Honarvar / AP

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Bita Honarvar / AP

Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David speaks to supporters on Saturday, December 19, 2020 during a voting event at a residence in Dunwoody, Ga. David filed a lawsuit against the organization in federal court, alleging that he was underpaid and subsequently terminated because he was black.

Bita Honarvar / AP

Former President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Alphonso David, applied litigation against the organization on Thursday – arguing that the country’s largest advocacy group underpaid him and ultimately fired him because of his race.

David, a black civil rights attorney who was leadership of the organization for two yearsis accusing HRC of firing him because he is Black while also saying the organization has a “deserving reputation of unfair treatment of non-white employees.”

The advocacy group terminated David as president for the last time September after a Report released by New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed that he helped former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo respond to allegations of sexual misconduct.

In James’ investigative report concluded that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women and make the governor resign, David’s name appears about three dozen times. David served as Cuomo’s advisor for several years.

In the 16-page lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York, David argued that the advocacy group “perpetuated discriminatory hiring practices” and during contract negotiations with HRC in In 2021, HRC board members have “admitted” that he has been severely underpaid in comparison to his white predecessor “because of his race.”

David, the organization’s first Black president, also alleged that a “prominent” white board member confronted him in front of other HRC employees after he delivered a race speech, saying “We all know you’re Black, why do you keep telling us that?”

And after protests in the summer of 2020 following the murder of George Floyd, Chris Speron, a senior executive, chastised David for his crimes. release a statement on behalf of HRC in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, according to the lawsuit. David alleges Speron also expressed concern about “shunning” white donors, specifically “white gay people.”

Additionally, David’s lawsuit states that the same senior executive also “expressed displeasure about the hiring of a black-owned consulting firm.”

“He criticized a Black employee who attended a meeting with the consulting firm without a white person present,” according to the lawsuit.

Also at the event where a board member criticized David for giving a race speech, HRC co-chairman Jodie Patterson expressed her concern to a guest that the organization was “not ready for the race” a Black President.”

Former Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David speaks during the roundtable discussion and rally in May 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. David filed a lawsuit against the organization in federal court, alleging that he was underpaid and subsequently terminated because he was Black.

File photo by John Amis / AP

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File photo by John Amis / AP

Former Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David speaks during the roundtable discussion and rally in May 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. David filed a lawsuit against the organization in federal court, alleging that he was underpaid and subsequently terminated because he was Black.

File photo by John Amis / AP

The suit adds that after sitting down with outside investigators looking into HRC’s connection to Cuomo’s allegations and answering their questions, David was contacted by HRC co-chairs. one evening on Labor Day weekend and ask him to resign by 8 a.m. the next day or he will be “terminated for cause.”

HRC Interim President Joni Madison said in a statement responds to the lawsuit stating that the organization is “disappointed” that David has decided to “take retaliatory action” against the organization “for the termination of his contract as a result of his own actions.”

“Mr David’s complaint is untrue. Through the legal process, we are confident that the termination of Mr. David’s contract is clearly due to a clear breach of his contract and the mission of Mr. David. HRC, and as chairman of the HRC, he has been treated fairly and equally,” Madison said.

“Notably, some of the individuals he accused of discriminatory behavior were people of color and advocates of racial justice and inclusion, who provided support and guidance as Mr. organization,” she added.

David’s lawsuit comes as a series of other famous individuals have resigned or been terminated by organizations for being linked to Cuomo.

In August, the board chair of the feminist group Time’s Up, Roberta Kaplan, resigned after James’ report revealed that she advised Cuomo’s administration after the first allegations of sexual harassment were brought against him.

Weeks later, the group’s CEO, Tina Tchen, quit after text messages were posted by The Washington Post. disclosure She canceled a plan for a statement in support of Cuomo accuser Lindsey Boylan. Newsletters allege that Tchen and Kaplan made a response to an unpublished opinion column that smears Boylan.

Former CNN host Chris Cuomo, brother of the governor, was fired from the cable news network in December following an investigation detailing his role in helping his brother fight the charges.

And on Wednesday, CNN President Jeff Zucker sudden resignation after he reported to the network’s external investigation of Chris Cuomo that he was in a consensual, romantic relationship with CNN’s chief marketing officer, Allison Gollust, who reported to Zucker.