Admin Law Judge: HUD Interfered with My Cases After My Disability Claim
It began with an administrative law judge’s request for a disabled parking space near the building where he works for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C.
But now Judge Alexander Fernandez is claiming that HUD not only refused to provide him with an appropriate parking space but retaliated against him after he made an administrative complaint about the alleged disability discrimination by interfering with his docket at the Office of Hearings and Appeals, reports the Blog of Legal Times.
His federal suit, which asserts claims for retaliation as well as discrimination, contends that the director of his office made entries in Fernandez’ docket and contacted parties without authorization. It also alleges that the director, David Anderson, told Fernandez he had refused to assign certain cases to the judge because he wasn’t sophisticated enough.
Filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last week, the suit alleges national origin discrimination and interference with Fernandez’ judicial independence, contrary to the requirements of the Federal Administrative Procedure Act. It seeks $300,000 and a court order requiring HUD to assign new supervisors to Fernandez.
HUD and Anderson did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the BLT.
