A second minor league umpire has filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball, claiming that he was terminated in retaliation for reporting a sexual assault by a female umpire. Brandon Cooper, who previously worked in the minor league Arizona Complex League, initially sued MLB and PDL Blue Inc. in April in Manhattan’s federal court. Alexander Lawrie has now joined the lawsuit as an additional plaintiff, alleging he was fired on April 1, with MLB citing “performance issues.”
According to the lawsuit, Lawrie reported being sexually assaulted by Gina Quartararo, a fellow umpire, on March 17 after an Umps Care charity event. Lawrie claims that he was fired in retaliation for reporting the assault to the Association of Minor League Umpires, the union representing him. Cooper, in the original suit, stated that Quartararo made homophobic slurs and crude remarks towards him due to his male and bisexual identity.
Both MLB and Quartararo have chosen not to comment on the allegations. The original lawsuit by Cooper cited a hostile work environment, wrongful termination, and retaliation based on gender and sexual orientation under New York state and city law, as MLB is headquartered in New York. The amended complaint includes an additional claim of violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The lawsuit reveals that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission granted Cooper a right to sue on July 11, while Lawrie requested a right to sue on September 26. The legal proceedings highlight the importance of addressing workplace discrimination and misconduct to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.
This case sheds light on the challenges that individuals may face in reporting incidents of sexual assault and discrimination in the workplace. It emphasises the need for organisations to take such complaints seriously and investigate them thoroughly to prevent further harm and ensure accountability. Actions like these lawsuits play a crucial role in holding employers accountable and advocating for a workplace free from discrimination and retaliation.