Appeals court rules against trans litigant
Janis Stacy, a transwoman who alleges wrongful termination from her engineering job, received another setback in her quest for a jury trial in her case. Last week, the full Third Circuit Court of Appeals declined to hear her case. Stacy claims she was terminated at LSI Corp. due to gender, gender identity and disability bias.
But Nov. 13, a three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld a lower court’s dismissal of Stacy’s case before it got to a jury, citing insufficient evidence of discrimination.
On Nov. 27, Stacy’s attorneys filed a 14-page legal brief, asking that all the judges on the appeals court consider her case.
But on Dec. 12, the full appeals court denied that request.
“We think this case raises important legal questions that warranted the full court’s interest and consideration,” said Stacy’s attorney, Scott B. Goldshaw. “We also think the court overlooked critical evidence which, if properly considered, would have led to this case being presented to a jury.”
Stacy, of Kunkletown, worked at LSI for about 10 years prior to her termination in 2008.
LSI maintained Stacy was terminated due to an “adverse economy,” and because Stacy lacked the requisite skills to help move the company forward.
Gay man to sue city
Attorneys for Kamile Ladson, a gay man jailed for 18 days for allegedly assaulting a local prosecutor, recently notified the city Law Department that the city will be sued in federal court due to the incident.
In March, Ladson allegedly assaulted Assistant District Attorney Andrei Govorov on the Broad Street Subway.
Ladson was charged with numerous offenses, but he claimed that Govorov was the aggressor.
Last month, a Philadelphia jury acquitted Ladson.
Ladson, 31, said attempts were made to sexually assault him while he was incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
Wiliam D. Hobson, an attorney for Ladson, said the lawsuit will be filed early next month. Defendants will include Govorov, SEPTA Police, city police and corrections officials.
Mark McDonald, a city spokesperson, said: “We do not comment on pending lawsuits. The city will respond to any allegations in a suit through the legal process.”
— Tim Cwiek
