A credit union executive, who was passed over for the CEO's position, is suing her former credit union for alleged sex and age discrimination.
Kathie McAtee, former COO for the $60 million Afena Federal Credit Union in Marion, Ind., filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month in U.S. District Court in Fort Wayne.
She joined the credit union in 2007 as its vice president of operations and chief operating officer. McAtee also claimed that she managed the duties and responsibilities of CFO because that position was left vacant for three years.
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In early 2014, McAtee said she applied for the CEO's position, but Karen Gilliam-Brown was appointed to that position. McAtee said she was denied the promotion despite her seniority and experience.
It wasn't until February 2017 when Gilliam-Brown informed McAtee that her position was being eliminated.
However, McAtee claims in her lawsuit that all or almost all of her COO duties were assigned to a male employee who was under the age of 40. McAtee said she is more than 60 years old.
When reached by CU Times, Gilliam-Brown did not comment on the lawsuit and referred the matter to the credit union's lawyer who declined to comment. As of Wednesday, Afena FCU did not file a court document to answer the claims made in the lawsuit.
McAtee is demanding a jury trial to resolve the case and is seeking to be reinstated to her position, lost wages, benefits and an unspecified amount in punitive damages.
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Peter Strozniak
Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.
