Russian-speaking immigrant sues the mayor's office of New York

A disgruntled former Russian-speaking member of the New York Mayor's security unit is suing the organization. He claims that he was unfairly denied a promotion and made to perform humiliating duties. The edition writes about it Daily News.

Detective Alex Pelepelin, 53, worked for the prestigious Executive Protection Unit (EPU) of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. He became one of several police officers in the unit to sue the EPU, accusing the unit's leadership of discrimination based on origin and age.

In June 2019, Judge Julio Rodriguez in the Manhattan division of the New York State Supreme Court dismissed Pelepelin's lawsuit, who demanded 6 million dollars from the city and its division.

That being said, the Court of Appeal ruled on December 3 that Pelepelin had presented sufficient evidence to charge him with refusing to promote him, thereby overturning the lower court's decision.

“The appellate ruling is a green light for us, and now we will be actively pursuing the case in the state court,” said Marshall Bellovin, Pelepelin's lawyer.

Pelepelin said that in 2016 he complained to the unit commander, Inspector Howard Redmond, that he had promoted a younger, less skilled and experienced detective.

And Pelepelin, who has more than 20 years of experience, was allegedly appointed by Redmond to guard the gates of the mayor's office.

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At the same time, the Court of Appeal found Pelepelin's allegations that he was discriminated against due to the fact that he was Russian unfounded. The policeman claimed that he was told that he "too scares the mayor's family." According to the court, this comment "did not indicate any age or anti-Russian bias." But the court agreed to continue the consideration of the case, since the refusal of a Russian-speaking employee to be promoted looks unreasonable, given his work experience.

A spokesman for the City Hall's legal department noted that most of Pelepelin's claims were rejected.

“We look forward to being rebutted by the others in court upon further consideration,” she said.

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