A former employee has filed a lawsuit alleging severe misconduct and retaliation by her employer, a senior living group. On December 17, 2025, Adela Peppe lodged a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Atria Senior Living Group, Inc., and her supervisor Jorge Quintanilla. The case centers around claims of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and retaliation after nearly ten years of service.
Adela Peppe accuses Atria Senior Living Group and Jorge Quintanilla of creating a hostile work environment through persistent sexual harassment and intimidation. According to the complaint, Peppe was subjected to inappropriate comments and behavior from Quintanilla, who allegedly made sexually suggestive remarks such as telling her she "looked great from behind" and implying that her new car was earned by "taking care of [her] husband very nicely." Despite reporting these incidents to human resources and supervisors on multiple occasions since January 2020, Peppe claims no action was taken to address the misconduct. Instead, she alleges that after warning Quintanilla she would report his behavior again in August 2024, he retaliated by fabricating accusations against her that led to her dismissal later that month.
The lawsuit highlights significant failures by Atria Senior Living Group's management to protect employees from harassment and retaliation. Peppe contends that the company not only ignored her complaints but also supported false allegations made by Quintanilla as a pretext for terminating her employment. She further asserts that other employees faced similar retaliation when opposing Quintanilla's conduct. The legal action seeks redress under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), citing violations related to sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliatory practices.
In seeking justice through this court filing, Adela Peppe requests several forms of relief. She is asking for compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress caused by the alleged unlawful acts. Additionally, she seeks punitive damages aimed at deterring future misconduct by the defendants. The complaint also calls for an award covering reasonable attorneys' fees and costs associated with pursuing these claims under federal and state laws.
Representing Adela Peppe in this matter is Paul Bartels from Bell Law Group PLLC based in Syosset, New York. The case has been assigned Docket No.: 2:25-cv-6940 with proceedings taking place in front of judges at the Eastern District Court of New York.
Source: 225cv06940_Peppe_v_Atria_Senior_Living_Group_Inc_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf