A former executive director of a non-profit organization has filed a lawsuit against her previous employers for alleged unlawful termination after seeking protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The lawsuit filed by plaintiff Michele Quigley names Meaningful NY Initiatives for People with Disabilities, Inc., Access: Supports for Living, Inc., and Ronald Colavito as defendants. According to the complaint, Quigley was terminated shortly after informing her employers that she intended to take FMLA leave to care for her daughter, who required a heart transplant. The complaint alleges that her termination was retaliatory and discriminatory based on her caregiver status. It also states that Quigley was subjected to investigations and statements intended to damage her professional reputation after she disclosed her intention to take leave.
Quigley began her tenure at Meaningful NY in 2018. The complaint states that under her leadership, the organization expanded from a small entity into a $21 million operation serving individuals with disabilities across New York City. Despite receiving favorable performance reviews and bonuses, Quigley was suspended without pay after expressing her need for FMLA leave. She alleges that the defendants cited compliance concerns as a pretext for her termination.
The complaint includes claims of interference with FMLA rights; discrimination based on caregiver status under the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL); retaliation under Section 715-b of the New York Not-For-Profit Corporation Law; defamation by Ronald Colavito; and a violation of New York Labor Law Section 195(6) regarding termination notice provisions.
Quigley is seeking compensatory damages including back pay and emotional distress compensation, as well as punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Taimur Alamgir of TA Legal Group PLLC. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-02683-JRC.