In a gripping case that underscores the persistent issues of workplace harassment and discrimination, a teacher has taken legal action against his former employer. Duane Hines filed a complaint on December 24, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the City of New York, the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE), and Corlace Campbell. The lawsuit alleges a series of discriminatory acts and retaliation that have severely impacted Hines' professional and personal life.
The complaint outlines Hines' allegations of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination at the hands of his supervisor, Corlace Campbell, during her tenure as Assistant Principal at Prospect Place Alternate Learning Center. According to Hines, Campbell's inappropriate behavior began shortly after her appointment in December 2022. He recounts an incident where Campbell closed the door behind him during a meeting and made comments about their zodiac signs, which he found uncomfortable. Over time, Campbell allegedly continued to make unwanted advances and inappropriate remarks related to his gender.
Hines claims that Campbell's conduct created a hostile work environment, with incidents escalating over time. For instance, he was reportedly pressured into sending personal photographs to Campbell under dubious pretenses and received non-work-related text messages from her. Despite raising concerns about this behavior with other staff members present during some interactions, Hines felt compelled to comply due to her authoritative position.
The situation deteriorated further when Hines began facing retaliation after rejecting Campbell's advances and reporting her behavior. He describes being subjected to excessive scrutiny, menial tasks not required of others, unannounced classroom observations intended to intimidate him, and ultimately a transfer to another school location much farther from his home without adequate resources or support.
Hines asserts that these actions were retaliatory measures taken by NYC DOE following his formal complaints about Campbell's conduct. His grievances culminated in filing charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in July 2024 after enduring months of mistreatment. Despite subsequent internal hearings regarding contractual violations related to workload increases post-transfer—none resulted in meaningful corrective action by NYC DOE officials.
Through this lawsuit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act along with state-level human rights laws such as NYSHRL (New York State Human Rights Law) & NYCHRL (New York City Human Rights Law), Hines seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress caused by prolonged harassment alongside punitive damages against all defendants involved—including vicarious liability claims against NYC DOE for failing its duty towards employees like him who face discrimination within their ranks.
Representing Mr. Hines is Melissa Vo from Phillips & Associates Attorneys at Law PLLC—a firm known for advocating employee rights across various industries nationwide—and presiding over this matter will be determined based on case assignment procedures within Eastern District courts under Case ID: 1:25-cv-07076.
Source: 125cv07076_Hines_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf