Former Sacramento Kings ex-trainer files suit for alleged pregnancy discrimination

Former Sacramento Kings assistant athletic trainer Crystal Lee reportedly has filed a lawsuit against the organization alleging pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.

According to ESPN, Lee alleges she was demoted during her pregnancy and that when she returned from maternity leave, she was not allowed to travel with the team or to treat players.

In the suit, filed earlier this month in California Superior Court, Lee alleges that when she told senior director of athlete health Jaspreet Randhawa she was pregnant, Randhawa told her, “You’re f—ed,” and added her life “is ruined after you have kids.”

Lee alleges she voiced her complaints to the team’s senior vice president of human resources and was fired less than a month later.

“The Sacramento Kings categorically deny these allegations and reject the characterization of the organization and its workplace reflected in these claims made by a disgruntled former employee,” Kings attorney Alexis Gabrielson told ESPN.

“The Kings take allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously and are committed to maintaining a workplace where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. The organization intends to vigorously defend against these claims through the legal process and will not comment further on the pending proceedings.”

The suit reportedly also includes negative interactions Lee had with now-head coach Doug Christie when he was an assistant coach with the team and with Kings general manager Steve Perry.

Lee allegedly met with Perry about her claims and was told “complainers will not be tolerated.” 

Neither Christie nor Perry is listed as a defendant.

The lawsuit alleges Perry and Kings vice president of human resources Stacy Wegzyn fired Lee, and “the reason for her termination was an alleged failure to meet performance expectations,” which included not updating expense reports.

“We have made prior efforts to resolve this matter with the Kings that were unsuccessful. We did attend a mediation with the Kings in an effort to resolve this,” Lee’s attorney Robert King said to ESPN.

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