Former Philadelphia labor official alleges she was fired after reporting sex discrimination.

In a significant legal development, Monica Marchetti-Brock, a former high-ranking official in Philadelphia’s Department of Labor, has launched a federal lawsuit alleging gender-based discrimination and wrongful termination. The suit claims that she was overlooked for a promotion and subsequently fired in retaliation for raising concerns about discriminatory practices that spanned multiple mayoral administrations.

Marchetti-Brock served as the first deputy director of the Department of Labor, having begun her tenure with the city in 2013. Her legal filing, submitted to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, contends that her termination in early 2024 by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker occurred shortly after she highlighted gender discrimination within city leadership. According to the lawsuit, these issues were persistent under the previous administration led by former Mayor Jim Kenney.

The complaint outlines that Marchetti-Brock was denied the opportunity to succeed Richard Lazer, the former Deputy Mayor for Labor, when he resigned in 2022. She alleges that this hiring decision—favoring male candidate Basil Merenda—was influenced by gender bias, asserting that Merenda “had a problem with women.” Merenda’s appointment came after the administration conducted an investigation into his behavior, which ultimately recommended implicit bias training but concluded that he had not violated sexual harassment policies.

Further accusations within the lawsuit claim that Marchetti-Brock faced a hostile work environment under Merenda, describing instances of exclusion from meetings, verbal reprimands, and unjust criticisms. The suit alleges that her complaints of discrimination, communicated to various city officials including City Solicitor Renee Garcia, went largely unaddressed.

Following Parker’s election in 2023, Marchetti-Brock reiterated her interest in the top labor position but was ultimately passed over for a male candidate who was previously unremarkable in the workplace, according to her claims. A letter she received summarizing the findings from the investigation into Merenda’s conduct mentioned no legal violations; however, Marchetti-Brock contested this conclusion, arguing it overlooked significant biases articulated in her complaints.

The legal action filed by Marchetti-Brock, which seeks an unspecified amount in damages, underscores ongoing concerns about gender discrimination within city government. A spokesperson for the city has declined to comment due to the ongoing litigation, while former Mayor Kenney’s administration was noted for its inclusion of women in leadership roles during his tenure. The outcome of this case could have lasting repercussions on the perceptions and treatment of gender-related issues within Philadelphia’s government operations.