In one case, the administrative assistant was forced to clean the entire women's bathroom because she is a woman, the lawsuit claims.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- A longtime administrative assistant in the office of the Ocean County Superintendent of Schools office has filed suit alleging she was discrimination against because of her gender and age.
Kathleen Angellella, of Forked River, claims in a lawsuit filed in Middlesex County Superior Court that she was subjected to "a severe and pervasive pattern of mentally abusive and offensive behavior" at the hands of her superiors, including Thomas McMahon, who served as the interim executive Ocean County superintendent.
The intention of the behavior, Angellella claims in the suit, was to "punish" her for being a woman over the age of 45.
Angellella, who assumed her current role in 1992 and is still employed with the Ocean County superintendent's office, said the hostile treatment started in January 2015 and remains ongoing.
In one instance, McMahon allegedly told Angellella, "I may not be able to get rid of you but I can sure make your work days very unpleasant," according to the lawsuit.
It says that statement was made in the presence of Judith DeStefano-Anen, the then interim educational specialist who is also named in the suit.
"DeStefano-Anen stood by and did nothing to stop him," the lawsuit said. DeStefano-Anen is the current interim superintendent.
McMahon also ordered Angellella to clean the women's bathroom of the county office building "because she is a woman," the lawsuit said.
McMahon would stare at Angellella "in order to harass her because she is a woman," the lawsuit claims. It also says she was stripped of routine job duties that were given to a younger, male employee.
An attorney representing Angellella, Rosemarie Arnold, said McMahon left the office in April 2015 but gave "marching orders" to his replacement, DeStefano-Anen.
The lawsuit seeks money for lost income and emotional distress, attorneys' fees and other related costs. It does not specify a dollar amount.
When reached by phone, McMahon hung up after a reporter identified himself.
Officials at the Ocean County Office of Education referred comment to the state Department of Education, which is also named in the lawsuit. A DOE spokesman said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.
The lawsuit was filed in Middlesex County because "there is substantial doubt that a fair and impartial trial can be had" in Ocean County," the lawsuit said.
A recent NJ Advance Media investigation found that lawsuits involving public workers cost New Jersey taxpayers millions each year. A conservative estimate puts the number at $100 million annually, a figure that has increased dramatically in the past 15 years.
NJ Advance Media reporter Craig McCarthy contributed to this report.
Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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