FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thaddeus P. Mikulski, Jr. of the firm of Mikulski &
Mitchell,
filed suit on behalf of Funmilayo Jones, Ph. D., a Research Scientist with the
New Jersey
Department of Corrections seeking an Order compelling the Department of
Corrections
to desist in its efforts to compel Dr. Jones to appear for a psychiatric
evaluation and to
pursue disciplinary action against her for her refusal to attend the
examination. The suit
contended that the State of New Jersey ordered its Research Scientist to appear
for a
psychiatric examination because it did not like the way she expressed her
concern about
the hostile work environment at the Department of Corrections Training Academy.
She
described the work environment as resembling that of Nazi Germany or the former
Soviet
Union. Dr. Jones asserted in the suit that the request for an examination
violated her
civil rights, including her rights of free speech and her rights under the New
Jersey Law
against Discrimination.
In response to her suit, the State of New Jersey, on February 10, 2005, agreed
to
drop its request for the psychiatric evaluation and to withdraw its disciplinary
actions
against Dr. Jones. Dr. Jones returned to work with no loss of salary and the
State of New
Jersey agreed to pay her attorneys fees.
Mr. Mikulski represents two other employees of the DOC Training Academy in
lawsuits alleging deprivation of their civil rights. He filed suit on January
24, 2005 on
behalf of Gina DiPasquale, an Instructor at the Academy, who alleges that she
has been
subjected to management retaliation because of her complaints about the
harassment
of and hostile environment for females at the Academy. Mr. Mikulski also filed
suit on
October 12, 2004 on behalf of Patricia Tard, another Instructor at the Academy,
who
resigned because of the harassment to which she had been subjected as a female
instructor.
February 21, 2005
For More Information Contact:
Mikulski & Mitchell, LLC
12 Mount Hope Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Tel: 609-397-7667
FAX: 609-397-0006
Internet:
info@njbarristers.com