Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, LITIGATION NEWS, TRENDS—Former Senior Advisor for DEIA at MBDA files suit alleging hostile work environment, (Nov 19, 2025)

By Brandi O. Brown, J.D.

In her complaint, she describes multiple incidents of racial slurs and micro-aggressions during her relatively brief period of employment, as well as an incident of sexual assault.

In a complaint filed this week in D.C. federal court, the plaintiff, a GS-15 political appointee hired as the Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), alleges that beginning shortly after her March 2023 start date, and lasting until her termination on December 1 of the same year, she was subjected to an “incredibly hostile, racially discriminatory, and toxic” work environment at the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency. She alleged that the actions culminated in her forced resignation and that retaliation continued following her departure.

The lawsuit includes allegations regarding comments and actions by individuals at high levels within the agency, ranging from alleged micro-aggressions relating to the business of the department itself, to racist slurs (being called variations of the n-word), and finally to sexual assault by a superior. She also describes retaliatory acts taken against her for her complaints about these actions, up to and including her forced resignation following her report of sexual assault.

Her lawsuit includes claims for race and gender discrimination, as well as retaliation, under Title VII, along with sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and hostile work environment under the D.C. Human Rights Act. She also includes counts for sexual assault under Virginia law and retaliation under the D.C. Code, among others.

The case is No. 1:25-cv-03981-LLA.

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