NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Channel 9 uncovered a list of discrimination charges, lawsuits and settlements at the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission.
Many of those lawsuits and settlements were paid for with tax dollars.
The complaints come from several different departments within the commission, including people who worked in different buildings and didn’t know each other.
But in each situation, the accusers say top management was well aware of what was happening.
“I really hope things can come to light and change,” said former employee Byron Goss.
Goss agreed to drop the charge of disability discrimination when he settled his workers comp case.
He’s on a growing list, said attorney David Baker.
Baker didn’t represent Goss, but showed Channel 9 the current charges four of his clients brought against the commission.
A fifth case was settled confidentially.
“The same parties are involved, some of the same acts of discrimination have come up, so what surprises me is that nobody is taking steps to correct things or to stop it,” Baker said.
He could not comment on yet another case he has, not in litigation, where court records show Paula Dichiara, a human resources director, alleges age, religion, and gender discrimination.
She alleged she was fired under a restructuring plan that didn’t exist.
She claims she knows because she was instructed to lead a fabricated restructuring to oust a previous employee.
Baker called the numerous allegations of religious discrimination from a government entity troubling.
“There’s definitely a lot of evidence to show this pattern of behavior is continuing,” he said. “The taxpayers are going to be ultimately responsible for that.”
The Utilities Commission is an independent entity and not run or governed by the city.
Channel 9 contacted every member of the commission for comment but has not heard back.
Cox Media Group
