A suit naming the Governor of the State of California, California’s State Treasurer, Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles (PPLA), and others, was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The blockbuster suit was filed by Andrew Jones, the former Project Manager of the Community Services/Education Department of PPLA. Mr. Jones worked for PPLA for several years and is African-American.

The verified complaint seeks recovery for unlawful termination, racial and sexual harassment, and a failure to pay overtime. Jones’ suit alleges that PPLA regularly allowed overt racism and sexism to infect its services. Among other serious allegations, it is alleged that PPLA did nothing when one of its employees was referred to as a “nigger.” Additionally, the suit, filed under penalty of perjury, alleges that PPLA consistently portrayed African-American males as being irresponsible and that male employees were regularly referred to as “dickheads” and other offensive terms by the white female management.

Sworn affidavits by other female PPLA staff, supporting the allegations of the complaint. One swore, “There was a sense that any employee who was not a white female was going to be carefully watched. . . . [There was a strong anti-male bias at PPLA.” Another affidavit refers to, “a significant anti-male bias.” Attorneys for Jones indicate that this is just one of several upcoming suits by high level PPLA employees who were fired for whistle-blowing or complaining of racism.

Jones’ lawsuit also seeks an immediate court order requiring the Governor of the State of California, the State Treasurer, and the Director of California’s Health & Human Services Agency to stop funding PPLA due to its racist practices and failure to disclose serious failures in its accounting systems and qualifications for state funding.

Additionally, the complaint claims that it was only after Jones questioned the financial practices of PPLA that he was fired. According to the complaint, he was given a stellar employee review right before his termination. Pursuant to California law, contractors/grantees/recipients such as PPLA are to refrain from discrimination in order to qualify for taxpayer-funded programs. PPLA is subject to rigorous reporting requirements and must be able to demonstrate financial viability on state loan programs. The suit alleges that PPLA failed, and continues to fail, on all fronts.