A former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging severe workplace discrimination and retaliation. Michelle Lettieri filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 26, 2026, accusing CL Healthcare, Inc., doing business as CenterLight Healthcare, of multiple violations of federal and state laws designed to protect workers’ rights.
The lawsuit details a harrowing account of alleged discrimination and retaliation faced by Lettieri due to her disability. Employed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist since October 2021, Lettieri suffers from rectal prolapse, a chronic condition that significantly affects her daily life and work schedule. Despite successfully utilizing flexible work arrangements initially allowed by CenterLight Healthcare, changes in management led to the revocation of these accommodations. Lettieri’s attempts to communicate her needs were reportedly met with dismissive and mocking responses from supervisors Joy Licata and Amanda McCulley. In one instance, McCulley allegedly mocked Lettieri’s condition by offering to “come put [her] intestines back inside [her] body.”
Lettieri sought reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), including flexible hours and remote work options. However, her requests were either denied or inadequately addressed by CenterLight Healthcare’s Human Resources department. The company allegedly imposed burdensome conditions on her use of accommodations and failed to engage in meaningful dialogue about her needs. Additionally, when Lettieri applied for an internal position that would have allowed her to work remotely full-time, she received no response while another candidate was hired.
Throughout 2024 and into 2025, Lettieri experienced ongoing retaliation for exercising her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other protections. She was subjected to unjustified absence reports, pressured into an Independent Medical Examination (IME) with an inappropriate specialist despite existing medical documentation supporting her condition, and excluded from union activities due to her pending discrimination charge.
Lettieri is seeking damages for lost wages, emotional distress, punitive damages for malicious conduct by CenterLight Healthcare, liquidated damages under FMLA provisions, attorneys’ fees, costs associated with the lawsuit’s prosecution, as well as declaratory relief preventing further unlawful employment practices by the defendant.
Representing Lettieri are attorneys Dorina Cela and Corey Kadash from Phillips & Associates Attorneys at Law PLLC. The case is presided over by judges at the Southern District of New York under Case No. 1:26-cv-01617.
Source: 126cv01617_Michelle_Lettieri_v_CL_Healthcare_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
