A former employee has filed a lawsuit against Delta Air Lines, Inc., alleging workplace discrimination and retaliation. Clarissa Mohammed filed the complaint on December 2, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Delta and her former supervisor, David Gilmartin.
According to the complaint, Mohammed began working for the airline in 2009 and was promoted to Field Service Manager in September 2022. Shortly after her promotion, she alleges that another manager, Anastasia Mighty, began targeting her with harassment.
The complaint details instances where Mighty allegedly used derogatory ethnic slurs and physically harassed Mohammed by pulling her hair. Despite reporting the incidents to her supervisor, Gilmartin, no effective action was taken by Delta.
Mohammed also accuses Gilmartin of discriminatory behavior. She claims he called her disrespectful names like “Matushka” and “Popadya” and used an offensive Arabic slur after denying a Muslim coworker’s request for prayer space.
The situation reportedly worsened after geopolitical events involving Israel and Palestine, when Mohammed was reprimanded for wearing a Palestinian bracelet while other employees displayed symbols supporting Israel without consequence.
The lawsuit asserts that Delta failed to adequately address the hostile work environment and instead retaliated against Mohammed.
She alleges that she was suspended without pay on November 6, 2023, and terminated on January 17, 2024, in retaliation for her complaints about discrimination based on religion and national origin.
Mohammed is seeking a declaratory judgment against the defendants for violating federal and state anti-discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
She is requesting reinstatement to her position at Delta, along with compensatory damages for economic losses and emotional distress. Additionally, she seeks punitive damages for what she describes as willful negligence or reckless disregard for her rights.
Representing Mohammed are attorneys from Hach Rose Schirripa & Cheverie LLP, including Frank R. Schirripa and Kathryn A. Hettler. The case is Case ID: 1:24-cv-08304.