FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`SUPREME
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`COUNTY
`OF NASSAU
`-------------------------------------------------------------------X
`RAIN
`ZHANG,
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`Plaintiff(s),
`
`- against
`
`-
`
`CENTER
`
`FOR COMPREHENSIVE
`
`HEALTH
`
`PRACTICE,
`
`Defendant(s).
`--------------------------------------------------------------------X
`To
`the above-named
`
`Defendants,
`
`INDEX
`
`NO.
`
`SUMMONS
`Plaintiff
`designates
`of Nassau
`of Trial
`
`County
`place
`
`the
`the
`for
`
`The
`
`basis
`
`of venue
`
`is CPLR
`
`503(a);
`
`Plaintiff's
`7 Hillside
`Great
`
`Neck,
`
`residence
`Avenue
`NY 11021
`
`if
`
`YOU ARE HEREBY
`of your
`a copy
`or,
`answer,
`on the Plaintiffs
`appearance,
`of
`of
`this
`exclusive
`summons,
`if
`the summons
`is not personally
`of your
`to appear
`or answer,
`failure
`in the complaint.
`demanded
`
`the complaint
`with
`this
`
`in this
`
`SUMMONED
`to answer
`action
`is not
`the complaint
`to serve
`served
`summons,
`within
`Gerstman
`Schwartz
`attorneys
`20 days
`after
`LLP,
`of service
`(or within
`the day
`30 days
`after
`the service
`of New York);
`the State
`delivered
`to you within
`judgment
`will
`be taken
`against
`you
`by default
`
`and to serve
`a notice
`of
`the service
`is complete
`in the case
`the relief
`
`and
`for
`
`Dated:
`
`Garden
`September
`
`City, New York
`2, 2021
`
`Respectfully
`
`submitted,
`
`LLP
`
`GERSTMAN
`SCHWARTZ,
`E. Kleinman
`By:
`/s/ Randy
`Esq.
`E. Kleinman,
`Randy
`Suite
`1399
`200
`Franklin
`Avenue,
`City, New York
`Garden
`I 1530
`- 8170
`880
`Tel. No.:
`(516)
`RKleinman@GerstmanSchwartz.com
`
`Attorneys
`
`for
`
`Plaintif
`
`1 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`TO:
`
`CENTER
`FOR COMPREHENSlVE
`9th & 12th Floor
`1900
`2nd Ave
`New York,
`NY 10029
`
`HEALTH
`
`PRACTICE
`
`2
`
`2 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`OF THE STATE
`COURT
`SUPREME
`COUNTY
`OF NASSAU
`--------------------------------------------------------------------X
`RAIN
`ZHANG,
`
`OF NEW YORK
`
`Index
`
`No.
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`VERIFIED
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`- against
`
`-
`
`CENTER
`
`FOR COMPREHENSIVE
`
`HEALTH
`
`PRACTICE,
`
`Defendant(s).
`--------------------------------------------------------------------X
`Plaintiff
`RAIN
`ZHANG,
`
`by
`
`her
`
`attorneys,
`
`Gerstman
`
`Schwartz
`
`LLP.,
`
`as and
`
`for
`
`her
`
`Verified
`
`Complaint
`
`against
`
`Defendants,
`
`states
`
`as follows:
`
`NATUREOFTHECASE
`
`1.
`
`PlaintifT
`
`complains
`
`pursuant
`
`to the New
`
`York
`
`State
`
`Human
`
`Rights
`
`Law,
`
`New
`
`York
`
`State
`
`Executive
`
`Law
`
`§ 296,
`
`et seq.
`
`("NYSHRL")
`
`seeking
`
`damages
`
`to redress
`
`the injuries
`
`Plaintiff
`
`suffered
`
`as a result
`
`of being
`
`discriminated
`
`and
`
`retaliated
`
`against
`
`on the basis
`
`of her
`
`race,
`
`nation
`
`of origin,
`
`and
`
`ethnicity.
`
`THE
`
`PARTIES
`
`"Plaintiff"
`
`or
`
`"Ms.
`
`2.
`
`At
`
`all
`
`times
`
`relevant
`
`hereto,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`Rain
`
`Zhang
`
`(hereinafter
`
`Zhang")
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is a resident
`
`of
`
`the State
`
`of New York,
`
`residing
`
`at 7 Hillside
`
`Avenue,
`
`Great
`
`Neck,
`
`New York
`
`1 1021.
`
`3.
`
`At
`
`all
`
`times
`
`relevant
`
`hereto,
`
`Rain
`
`Zhang
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"Plaintift"
`
`or
`
`"Ms.
`
`Zhang"),
`
`upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`held
`
`the position
`
`of Chief
`
`Finance
`
`Officer
`
`for Defendant
`
`Center
`
`for Comprehensive
`
`Health
`
`Practice,
`
`(hereinafter
`
`"Defendant"
`
`or
`
`"CCHP").
`
`4.
`
`At
`
`all
`
`times
`
`relevant
`
`hereto,
`
`Plaintiff
`
`met
`
`the
`
`definition
`
`of an
`
`"employee"
`
`and/or
`
`"eligible
`
`employee"
`
`under
`
`all applicable
`
`statutes.
`
`3
`
`3 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`5.
`
`At
`
`all
`
`times
`
`relevant
`
`hereto,
`
`Defendant
`
`Center
`
`for Comprehensive
`
`Health
`
`Practice,
`
`("CCHP")
`
`was
`
`and
`
`is a not-for-profit
`
`organization,
`
`duly
`
`existing
`
`pursuant
`
`to, and by
`
`virtue
`
`of,
`
`the
`
`laws
`
`of
`
`the State
`
`of New York.
`
`6.
`
`At
`
`all
`
`times
`
`relevant
`
`hereto,
`
`Defendant
`
`CCHP
`
`operates
`
`a
`
`not-for-profit
`
`that
`
`provides
`
`care,
`
`substance
`
`use
`
`treatment,
`
`behavioral
`
`health
`
`and
`
`supportive
`
`services
`
`primary
`
`located
`
`at 1900
`
`2nd Ave
`
`9th & 12th
`
`Floor New York,
`
`NY 10029.
`
`JURISDICTION
`
`AND VENUE
`
`7.
`
`This
`
`Court
`
`has
`
`personal
`
`jurisdiction
`
`over
`
`the Defendants
`
`pursuant
`
`to C.P.L.R.
`
`§§ 301
`
`and
`
`302,
`
`because
`
`the Defendant
`
`is incorporated
`
`in New York,
`
`licensed
`
`to do business
`
`in New York
`
`and
`
`is transacting
`
`business
`
`in New York.
`
`8.
`
`Venue
`
`is proper
`
`pursuant
`
`to
`
`§503(a)
`
`based
`
`on Plaintiff's
`
`residence
`
`located
`
`at 7
`
`Hillside
`
`Avenue,
`
`Great
`
`Neck,
`
`New York
`
`11021.
`
`FACTUAL
`
`ALLEGATIONS
`
`9.
`
`On
`
`or about
`
`December
`
`14, 2020,
`
`defendant
`
`CCHP
`
`hired
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`as a "Chief
`
`Financial
`
`Officer"
`
`earning
`
`approximately
`
`$165,000
`
`per year.
`
`10.
`
`From the moment
`
`her employment
`
`began,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`demonstrated
`
`a stellar
`
`work
`
`ethic
`
`and
`
`dedication
`
`to her position,
`
`which
`
`was
`
`reflected
`
`by her
`
`performance
`
`evaluations
`
`and
`
`the relationships
`
`she built
`
`with
`
`her
`
`team. Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`was widely
`
`recognized
`
`the Board
`
`and
`
`by
`
`senior
`
`over
`
`her
`
`tenure.
`
`leadership
`
`for having
`
`turned
`
`the organization
`
`around
`
`short
`
`11.
`
`Despite
`
`her
`
`exemplary
`
`performance,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`was
`
`repeatedly
`
`subjected
`
`to
`
`severe
`
`and
`
`pervasive
`
`discrimination
`
`based
`
`on her
`
`national
`
`origin,
`
`race,
`
`and Asian
`
`ethnicity.
`
`12.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`three
`
`executives
`
`at Defendant
`
`CCHP
`
`had a close
`
`"inner
`
`circle"
`
`consisting
`
`of
`
`the
`
`interim
`
`CEO - Annie
`
`Mendelsohn,
`
`Senior
`
`Director
`
`- Michelle
`
`4
`
`4 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`Gadot,
`
`and Director
`
`- Rachel
`
`Heyman,
`
`who
`
`all
`
`happened
`
`to be white
`
`women.
`
`Other
`
`members
`
`of
`
`senior
`
`leadership
`
`have
`
`raised
`
`concerns
`
`about
`
`the
`
`lack
`
`of
`
`communication
`
`and
`
`transparency
`
`within
`
`the
`
`"circle"
`
`including
`
`former
`
`CEO Sue and Chief
`
`Medical
`
`Officer
`
`Mariety
`
`Fernandez.
`
`13.
`
`On
`
`or
`
`about
`
`early
`
`April
`
`2021,
`
`Michelle
`
`Gadot
`
`distributed
`
`a
`
`plan
`
`for
`
`administrative
`
`office
`
`usage
`
`requiring
`
`all members
`
`of
`
`the administration
`
`to share
`
`office
`
`spaces
`
`"circle"
`
`except
`
`for
`
`the
`
`who
`
`only
`
`went
`
`into
`
`the office
`
`once
`
`or
`
`twice
`
`per week.
`
`14.
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`immediately
`
`voiced
`
`concerns
`
`that
`
`this
`
`plan was
`
`unfair,
`
`especially
`
`to
`
`her
`
`team of
`
`five
`
`individuals,
`
`who
`
`happen
`
`to all be non-white
`
`employees.
`
`15.
`
`Those
`
`concerns
`
`were
`
`brushed
`
`off
`
`dismissively
`
`because
`
`the office
`
`plan was
`
`"not
`
`final",
`
`just
`
`preliminary,
`
`and that Ms. Zhang
`
`was worried
`
`"too
`
`soon".
`
`The
`
`chairman
`
`of
`
`the board
`
`Ben
`
`Kusmin
`
`remarked
`
`consider
`
`in
`
`the
`
`that
`
`he would
`
`not
`
`"putting
`
`[Ms.
`
`Zhang]
`
`to work
`
`basement"
`
`much
`
`to her dismay
`
`and
`
`embarrassment.
`
`16.
`
`On or about
`
`April
`
`9th, shortly
`
`after Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`voiced
`
`her
`
`concerns,
`
`a one-hour
`
`meeting
`
`was
`
`scheduled
`
`to
`
`discuss
`
`the
`
`office
`
`layout
`
`with
`
`architects.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`the meeting
`
`was
`
`scheduled
`
`at a time
`
`that was
`
`known
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`could
`
`only
`
`attend
`
`for
`
`fifteen
`
`minutes.
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang's
`
`request
`
`to reschedule
`
`was
`
`thwarted
`
`by Annie
`
`Mendelsohn
`
`and
`
`Michelle
`
`Gadot.
`
`17.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`the space
`
`allocation
`
`discussed
`
`at
`
`the meeting
`
`was
`
`agreed
`
`to be used
`
`completely
`
`for
`
`clinical
`
`space with
`
`an administrative
`
`space
`
`as well.
`
`18.
`
`On
`
`or about
`
`May
`
`2021,
`
`Michelle
`
`Gadot
`
`stated
`
`that
`
`the
`
`space
`
`usage
`
`was
`
`not
`
`intended
`
`to be all
`
`clinical.
`
`Apparently,
`
`it was
`
`drawn
`
`that way
`
`to receive
`
`significantly
`
`more
`
`government
`
`reimbursement
`
`incentives.
`
`The
`
`intent
`
`was
`
`still
`
`to
`
`use
`
`some
`
`of
`
`the
`
`space
`
`for
`
`5
`
`5 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`administration.
`
`However,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`received
`
`no
`
`response
`
`when
`
`she
`
`asked
`
`how
`
`many
`
`administrative
`
`offices
`
`would
`
`be used
`
`as pretend
`
`clinical
`
`spaces.
`
`19.
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`expressed
`
`concern
`
`to Annie
`
`Mendelsohn,
`
`specifically
`
`that
`
`she had
`
`already
`
`turned
`
`her
`
`space
`
`allocation
`
`information
`
`to
`
`the Office
`
`of Addiction
`
`Services
`
`and
`
`Supports
`
`("OASAS")
`
`for Defendant
`
`CHHP's
`
`funding
`
`request.
`
`OASAS
`
`is an agency
`
`for mental
`
`of Health
`
`the
`
`space
`
`allocation
`
`to. Although
`
`Ms.
`
`health
`
`under NYS Department
`
`that
`
`is reported
`
`Zhang
`
`brought
`
`this
`
`to her
`
`supervisors'
`
`attention,
`
`her
`
`concerns
`
`were
`
`brushed
`
`off.
`
`20.
`
`On
`
`or about
`
`June
`
`2021,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`again
`
`voiced
`
`her
`
`concerns
`
`about
`
`the space
`
`usage
`
`to Drew
`
`Chi,
`
`a member
`
`of
`
`the board
`
`who was
`
`on the three-member
`
`Finance
`
`Committee.
`
`Unfortunately,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang's
`
`concerns
`
`were
`
`ignored
`
`yet again.
`
`21.
`
`On
`
`or about
`
`June
`
`4th, 2021,
`
`Michelle
`
`Gadot
`
`distributed
`
`the
`
`final
`
`office
`
`space
`
`clinical
`
`usage
`
`plan.
`
`Additional
`
`spaces
`
`were
`
`taken
`
`away
`
`from
`
`spaces
`
`to use as administrative
`
`spaces
`
`than
`
`had been
`
`previously
`
`disclosed.
`
`22.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`the final
`
`plan
`
`included
`
`the sharing
`
`of
`
`four
`
`to five
`
`offices
`
`for administration
`
`purposes.
`
`The
`
`final
`
`plan,
`
`however,
`
`included
`
`6 offices
`
`to be used
`
`for
`
`administration
`
`with
`
`the
`
`six
`
`people
`
`three members
`
`of
`
`the
`
`working
`
`"circle"
`
`in
`
`finance
`
`(including
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang)
`
`sharing
`
`two
`
`and
`
`the Associate
`
`Director
`
`offices.
`
`The
`
`of Operations,
`
`Perly
`
`Moise,
`
`each
`
`had a private
`
`office.
`
`Of
`
`the six people
`
`sharing
`
`an office,
`
`four were
`
`immigrants
`
`and
`
`a fifth
`
`was Puerto
`
`Rican
`
`with
`
`an unknown
`
`immigration
`
`status.
`
`23.
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`sent
`
`a complaint
`
`to the
`
`entire
`
`administration
`
`directly
`
`after
`
`the
`
`final
`
`usage
`
`plan was
`
`released,
`
`claiming
`
`the
`
`plan made
`
`coordinating
`
`schedules
`
`much
`
`more
`
`difficult
`
`for
`
`her
`
`team and as a result,
`
`they were
`
`being
`
`treated
`
`unfairly
`
`and being
`
`discriminated
`
`against.
`
`6
`
`6 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`24.
`
`On
`
`or about
`
`June
`
`8, 2021,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`was
`
`terminated
`
`under
`
`the guise
`
`that
`
`she
`
`was
`
`not a "good
`
`fit"
`
`for
`
`the organization.
`
`Prior
`
`to her
`
`termination,
`
`there
`
`had been
`
`two
`
`incidents
`
`where
`
`Annie
`
`and Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`discussed
`
`voicing
`
`her
`
`complaints
`
`in public.
`
`25.
`
`The
`
`first
`
`incident
`
`followed
`
`a complaint
`
`by Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`regarding
`
`the
`
`lack
`
`of
`
`remedial
`
`measures
`
`when
`
`faced
`
`with
`
`a problem.
`
`that
`
`it was
`
`In response,
`
`Annie
`
`merely
`
`said
`
`inappropriate
`
`to call
`
`out
`
`such matters
`
`in public.
`
`26.
`
`The
`
`second
`
`incident
`
`occurred
`
`when Ms. Zhang
`
`approached
`
`Annie
`
`after
`
`listening
`
`to her
`
`complain
`
`in front
`
`of
`
`the senior
`
`leadership
`
`team that
`
`the Board
`
`of Directors
`
`"really
`
`don't
`
`give
`
`a shit
`
`about
`
`any
`
`of us". Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`voiced
`
`her
`
`discomfort
`
`with
`
`Annie
`
`by openly
`
`saying
`
`statements
`
`like
`
`the
`
`one
`
`about
`
`the
`
`board.
`
`Annie
`
`that
`
`"it's
`
`fine
`
`since
`
`the
`
`preceding
`
`responded
`
`group
`
`knew
`
`us so well
`
`and
`
`it's
`
`ok
`
`to vent
`
`a little".
`
`27.
`
`Ms. Zhang
`
`received
`
`high
`
`praise
`
`and compliments
`
`from her
`
`superiors
`
`and Board
`
`Members
`
`up to her
`
`termination.
`
`She
`
`received
`
`compliments
`
`from Annie
`
`Mendelsohn
`
`(interim
`
`CEO)
`
`on
`
`or about
`
`June
`
`2nd, 2021,
`
`Ben
`
`Kusmin
`
`(Board
`
`of Directors
`
`Chair)
`
`on
`
`or about
`
`the
`
`middle
`
`of April
`
`2021
`
`at
`
`the Board
`
`of Directors
`
`meeting,
`
`Barbara
`
`Paxton
`
`(Treasurer)
`
`on
`
`or
`
`about
`
`(Director
`
`28th
`
`May
`
`276¹, 2021,
`
`and Drew
`
`Chi
`
`on Board
`
`of Directors)
`
`on or about
`
`May
`
`2021
`
`at a Board
`
`of Directors
`
`meeting
`
`and on June
`
`7"',
`
`2021.
`
`28.
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`also
`
`received
`
`many
`
`acknowledgements
`
`from
`
`both
`
`employees
`
`and
`
`board
`
`members
`
`for
`
`having
`
`saved
`
`the
`
`organization
`
`from
`
`he
`
`brink
`
`of
`
`bankruptcy
`
`and
`
`strengthened
`
`it
`
`financially
`
`within
`
`the time
`
`she was employed.
`
`She not only
`
`obtained
`
`new grants
`
`but
`
`recovered
`
`those
`
`that were missed
`
`in the previous
`
`year.
`
`7
`
`7 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`29.
`
`Then
`
`on June
`
`8, 2021
`
`after making
`
`multiple
`
`complaints
`
`regarding
`
`the disparate
`
`treatment
`
`of
`
`her
`
`and
`
`her
`
`coworkers
`
`of
`
`color,
`
`coincidentally,
`
`Ms.
`
`Zhang
`
`was
`
`fired
`
`in what
`
`smacks
`
`of clear
`
`retaliation
`
`for engaging
`
`in a protected
`
`activity.
`
`30.
`
`As a result
`
`of
`
`the acts
`
`and
`
`conduct
`
`complained
`
`of herein,
`
`Claimant
`
`has suffered
`
`emotional
`
`pain,
`
`suffering,
`
`inconvenience,
`
`loss
`
`of enjoyment
`
`of
`
`life,
`
`and
`
`other
`
`non-pecuniary
`
`losses.
`
`Under
`
`New
`
`York
`
`FIRST
`State
`
`CAUSE
`Human
`
`OF ACTION
`Rights
`Law:
`
`Discrimination
`
`31.
`
`PlaintifT
`
`repeats,
`
`reiterates,
`
`and
`
`re-alleges
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above
`
`with
`
`force
`
`and effect
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`herein.
`
`the same
`
`as though
`
`fully
`
`32.
`
`Executive
`
`Law
`
`§ 296
`
`provides
`
`that:
`
`It shall
`or
`
`be an unlawful
`
`agency,
`origin,
`
`practice:
`discriminatory
`because
`of an individual's
`race,
`creed,
`licensing
`sexual
`national
`color,
`sex,
`status,
`orientation,
`military
`familial
`genetic
`disability,
`status,
`characteristics,
`predisposing
`as a victim
`of domestic
`or status
`marital
`to refuse
`violence,
`status,
`such
`hire
`or employ
`or
`to bar or
`to discharge
`from employment
`individual
`or
`to discriminate
`against
`individual
`in compensation
`such
`employment."
`or
`in terms,
`conditions
`or privileges
`of
`
`For
`
`an employer
`
`"(a)
`age,
`
`to
`
`33.
`
`As
`
`described
`
`above,
`
`Defendants
`
`discriminated
`
`against
`
`Plaintiff
`
`on the
`
`basis
`
`of
`
`her
`
`race,
`
`color,
`
`and
`
`national
`
`origin.
`
`SECOND
`State
`
`CAUSE
`Human
`
`OF ACTION
`- Retaliation
`Rights
`Law
`
`New York
`
`34.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`repeats,
`
`reiterates,
`
`and
`
`re-alleges
`
`each
`
`and
`
`every
`
`allegation
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above
`
`with
`
`the same
`
`force
`
`and effect
`
`as though
`
`fully
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`herein.
`
`35.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`complained
`
`about
`
`the discrimination
`
`and
`
`hostile
`
`working
`
`environment
`
`she was
`
`being
`
`subjected
`
`to based
`
`on her
`
`race,
`
`national
`
`origin,
`
`and ethnicity.
`
`8
`
`8 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`36.
`
`The
`
`issues
`
`raised
`
`by
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff
`
`to
`
`the
`
`Defendants
`
`constitute
`
`colorable
`
`violations
`
`of New
`
`York
`
`State Human
`
`Rights
`
`Law's
`
`prohibitions
`
`concerning
`
`discrimination
`
`on
`
`the basis
`
`of
`
`race,
`
`national
`
`origin,
`
`and ethnicity.
`
`37.
`
`The
`
`Defendants
`
`retaliated
`
`against
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff
`
`for
`
`engaging
`
`in
`
`protected
`
`activities
`
`of
`
`and
`
`the
`
`discriminatory
`
`and
`
`hostile
`
`working
`
`environment
`
`to
`
`reporting
`
`opposing
`
`which
`
`she was
`
`being
`
`subjected.
`
`38.
`
`In violation
`
`of New York
`
`Executive
`
`Law
`
`§ 296,
`
`Defendants
`
`retaliated
`
`against
`
`the Plaintiff
`
`in a way
`
`that
`
`interfered
`
`with
`
`her
`
`terms
`
`and
`
`conditions
`
`of employment.
`
`39.
`
`The
`
`Defendants'
`
`retaliatory
`
`and
`
`discriminatory
`
`act or acts would
`
`be reasonably
`
`likely
`
`to deter
`
`a person
`
`from engaging
`
`in protected
`
`activity.
`
`40.
`
`The Defendants
`
`had
`
`the
`
`power
`
`fire,
`
`and
`
`alter
`
`the
`
`terms
`
`and
`
`conditions
`
`of
`
`the Plaintiff's
`
`employment.
`
`to hire,
`
`41.
`
`The Defendants
`
`participated
`
`in the
`
`conduct
`
`giving
`
`rise
`
`to the
`
`retaliation
`
`based
`
`on the Plaintiff
`
`engaging
`
`in protected
`
`activity.
`
`42.
`
`The Defendants
`
`aided,
`
`abetted,
`
`incited,
`
`compelled,
`
`and/or
`
`coerced
`
`the retaliation
`
`based
`
`on Plaintiff
`
`engaging
`
`in protected
`
`activity
`
`by directly
`
`and
`
`purposefully
`
`participating
`
`in
`
`conduct
`
`giving
`
`rise
`
`to unlaw
`
`retaliation.
`
`43.
`
`The Defendants
`
`aided,
`
`abetted,
`
`incited,
`
`compelled,
`
`and/or
`
`coerced
`
`the retaliation
`
`environment
`
`based
`
`on
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`complaints
`
`of
`
`the
`
`discriminatory
`
`and
`
`hostile
`
`work
`
`maintained
`
`by Defendants
`
`by
`
`failing
`
`to
`
`properly
`
`investigate
`
`or
`
`take
`
`appropriate
`
`remedial
`
`measures
`
`despite
`
`being
`
`informed
`
`about
`
`the existence
`
`of said
`
`conduct.
`
`44.
`
`Further,
`
`the Defendants
`
`condoned
`
`the
`
`acts
`
`of
`
`discrimination.
`
`hostile
`
`working
`
`environment,
`
`and
`
`retaliation
`
`detailed
`
`above
`
`in violation
`
`of New York
`
`Executive
`
`I aw § 296.
`
`9
`
`9 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`45.
`
`As a direct
`
`and proximate
`
`consequence
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Defendants'
`
`intentional,
`
`unlawful,
`
`discriminatory,
`
`and
`
`retaliatory
`
`treatment
`
`of
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`she
`
`has
`
`suffered
`
`and
`
`continues
`
`to
`
`suffer
`
`damages,
`
`including
`
`but not
`
`limited
`
`to, compensatory
`
`damages
`
`due
`
`to emotional
`
`distress
`
`and mental
`
`anguish.
`
`46.
`
`By
`
`reason
`
`of
`
`the
`
`retaliation
`
`perpetrated
`
`by Defendants,
`
`the Plaintiff
`
`is entitled
`
`to all damages
`
`available
`
`to her under New York
`
`State Human
`
`Rights
`
`Law.
`
`New
`
`York
`
`State
`
`THIRD
`Human
`
`CAUSE
`Rights
`
`OF ACTION
`Law- Wrongful
`
`Termination
`
`47.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`repeats,
`
`reiterates,
`
`and
`
`re-alleges
`
`each
`
`and every
`
`allegation
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`above
`
`with
`
`the same
`
`force
`
`and
`
`effect
`
`as though
`
`set
`
`forth
`
`herein.
`
`48.
`
`Plaintiff
`
`was
`
`wrongfully
`
`terminated
`
`based
`
`on
`
`her making
`
`multiple
`
`complaints
`
`treatment
`
`of her and
`
`her
`
`coworkers
`
`of color
`
`the entire
`
`regarding
`
`the disparate
`
`administration.
`
`to the CEO and
`
`49.
`
`Despite
`
`never
`
`having
`
`never
`
`received
`
`receive
`
`any
`
`complaints,
`
`reprimands,
`
`or
`
`negative
`
`review
`
`of
`
`her
`
`job
`
`performance,
`
`the Defendant
`
`terminated
`
`Plaintiff
`
`because
`
`of
`
`her
`
`engagement
`
`in protected
`
`activity,
`
`in violation
`
`of New York
`
`City
`
`Human
`
`Rights
`
`Law
`
`§8-107
`
`et
`
`seq.
`
`and New York
`
`State Human
`
`Rights
`
`Law
`
`§296
`
`et seq.
`
`50.
`
`As a direct
`
`and proximate
`
`consequence
`
`of
`
`the Defendant's
`
`intentional
`
`and unlawful
`
`discriminatory
`
`treatment,
`
`which
`
`led
`
`to Plaintiff's
`
`wrongful
`
`termination,
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff
`
`has
`
`suffered
`
`and
`
`continues
`
`to suffer
`
`damages,
`
`including
`
`but not
`
`limited
`
`to, compensatory
`
`damages
`
`due to emotional
`
`distress
`
`and mental
`
`anguish.
`
`5 1.
`
`By
`
`reason
`
`of
`
`the discriminatory
`
`treatment
`
`by Defendant,
`
`the Plaintiff
`
`is entitled
`
`to
`
`all damages
`
`available
`
`to her under New York
`
`State
`
`Human
`
`Rights
`
`Law.
`
`10
`
`10 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`WHEREFORE,
`
`the Plaintiff
`
`RAIN
`
`ZHANG,
`
`upon
`
`all of
`
`the facts,
`
`allegations,
`
`and causes
`
`of action
`
`as set
`
`forth
`
`and alleged
`
`herein,
`
`respectfully
`
`requests
`
`that
`
`this Court:
`
`A.
`
`Grant
`
`judgment
`
`against
`
`all Defendants
`
`as to each
`
`and every
`
`cause
`
`of action
`
`herein
`
`alleged,
`
`and
`
`in favor
`
`of Plaintiff
`
`Zhang,
`
`in an amount
`
`of $500,000.
`
`B.
`
`Grant
`
`judgment
`
`declaring
`
`that
`
`the actions
`
`and
`
`practices
`
`of Defendants
`
`violated
`
`the
`
`Plaintiff's
`
`civil
`
`rights
`
`under
`
`each
`
`cause
`
`of action
`
`alleged
`
`herein
`
`and enjoining
`
`such
`
`violations;
`
`C.
`
`Grant
`
`an order
`
`Plaintiff
`
`damages
`
`in an amount
`
`to be determined
`
`at
`
`trial,
`
`awarding
`
`together
`
`with
`
`interest
`
`and
`
`the costs
`
`and
`
`disbursements
`
`of
`
`this
`
`action,
`
`plus
`
`reasonable
`
`attorney's
`
`fees,
`
`punitive
`
`damages
`
`sufficient
`
`to punish
`
`and deter
`
`the continuation
`
`of
`
`Defendants'
`
`unlawful
`
`employment
`
`practices,
`
`as well
`
`as, any
`
`other
`
`damages
`
`permitted
`
`to be recovered
`
`laws
`
`pursuant
`
`by
`
`to the above
`
`causes
`
`of action;
`
`and
`
`Grant
`
`any
`
`such
`
`further
`
`relief
`
`as the Court
`
`deems
`
`just,
`
`proper,
`
`and
`
`equitable.
`
`JURY
`
`DEMAND
`
`Plaintiff
`
`hereby
`
`demands
`
`a trial
`
`by jury
`
`as to all
`
`issues
`
`so triable.
`
`Dated:
`
`Garden
`September
`
`City, New York
`2, 2021
`
`Respectfully
`
`submitted,
`
`LLP
`
`GERSTMAN
`SCHWARTZ,
`By:
`E. Kleinman
`/s/ Randy
`Esq.
`E. Kleinman,
`Randy
`200
`Suite
`Franklin
`1399
`Avenue,
`City, New York
`1 1530
`Garden
`880 - 8170
`Tel. No.:
`(516)
`Rkleinman@GerstmanSchwartz.com
`Attorneys
`for
`
`Plaintif
`
`11 of 12
`
`

`

`FILED: NASSAU COUNTY CLERK 09/13/2021 01:07 PM
`NYSCEF DOC. NO. 1
`
`INDEX NO. 611692/2021
`
`RECEIVED NYSCEF: 09/13/2021
`
`VERIFICATION
`
`STATEOFNEW
`
`YORK
`
`COUNTY
`
`OF KINGS
`
`)
`ss.:
`
`)
`
`RAIN
`
`ZHANG,
`
`being
`
`dulÿ
`
`sworn,
`
`deposes
`
`and
`
`says:
`
`That
`
`deponent
`
`is the Plaintiff
`
`in the annexed
`
`Complaint
`
`and has read
`
`the foregoing
`
`Complaint
`
`and
`
`knows
`
`the contents
`
`thereof,
`
`and that
`
`the same
`
`is true
`
`to my
`
`knowledge,
`
`except
`
`as
`
`to those matters
`
`stated
`
`to be alleged
`
`upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief,
`
`and,
`
`as to those matters,
`
`I
`
`believe
`
`them to be true.
`
`RAIN
`
`ZHANG
`
`SCT
`
`and
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`RANDY E. KLElNMAN
`NOTARY PUBUC, STATE OF NEW YORK
`Registration No. O2KL6398473
`New York County
`Commission Expires September 30, 2023
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`12
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`12 of 12
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