A former attorney with the New York City Department of Buildings, Shelia Cockburn, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and retaliation against the agency. The lawsuit comes after Cockburn reported a male supervisor, Eric Dalloo, for making racial slurs and sexist remarks, as well as for physically assaulting her in front of colleagues.
Allegations of discriminatory behavior
According to the Atlanta Black Star, Cockburn began her role at the Department of Buildings in April 2019 and quickly noticed Dalloo’s pattern of making discriminatory remarks with heavy racial overtones. She claims that he often spoke to her and other Black employees in a manner that mimicked African American Vernacular English, or AAVE, or Caribbean accents, using racial epithets like the N-word in the workplace.
According to the lawsuit, Dalloo referred to the Bronx office as “ghetto” while labeling the Manhattan office as “sophisticated.” His comments extended beyond racial slurs to include misogynistic remarks about women, which Cockburn and her female colleagues found offensive.
Escalation of harassment
As time went on, Dalloo’s behavior escalated from verbal harassment to unwanted physical contact. In September 2019, during a court hearing, he allegedly grabbed Cockburn’s forearm aggressively and attempted to drag her into the hallway, publicly admonishing her for a case dismissal that he had been instructed to agree with by his own supervisor.
Cockburn described the incident as shocking and humiliating, especially since it occurred in front of her legal colleagues. Following this incident, she reported Dalloo’s behavior to her supervisor, Joseph Casciano, who acknowledged noticing Dalloo’s discriminatory treatment towards Cockburn.
Complaints and internal meetings
In December 2019, Cockburn attended a meeting with her colleagues to discuss ongoing complaints about Dalloo’s behavior, which included derogatory language and inappropriate comments about white women and people of color. Despite these complaints, Dalloo remained employed at the Department of Buildings, and Cockburn felt that her concerns were not adequately addressed.
Struggles for promotion
Simultaneously, Cockburn was pursuing promotions within the department. In June 2019, she applied for an L3 attorney position, which would have significantly increased her salary. Despite her extensive experience and positive evaluations, she was denied the promotion. Cockburn claims that Dalloo’s hostility towards her increased after she applied for the position.
In February 2020, she applied for two L2 attorney positions but was rejected again. Cockburn alleges that three employees who had started after her were promoted to L2 positions, despite having less experience. She believes these refusals were retaliatory actions in response to her complaints against Dalloo.
Filing complaints and resignation
After facing repeated discrimination, Cockburn filed complaints with the New York City Internal Affairs and Discipline Department, as well as the New York State Division of Human Rights and the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission. She asserted that the culture at the Manhattan office perpetuated discriminatory behavior, which Dalloo exemplified.
Cockburn resigned from the Department of Buildings in December 2022 and later took a position with the U.S. Department of Energy, where she works on initiatives to electrify the automotive industry.
Legal action and next steps
On Jan. 22, 2024, Cockburn filed her lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claiming violations of state and federal laws against discrimination based on race and sex, as well as retaliation. She seeks a jury trial for damages, including lost wages, emotional distress and legal costs.
The New York City Department of Buildings has stated that they reject any form of discrimination and will review the lawsuit. As of now, Dalloo remains employed with the agency.
Cockburn’s case highlights the ongoing issues of racial discrimination and retaliation in the workplace, particularly within government agencies. As she seeks justice through legal channels, her story underscores the importance of addressing discriminatory practices and fostering a more inclusive work environment.
