New Orleans Judge Sued by Disabled Ex-Clerk for Discrimination
A former Orleans Parish law clerk with multiple sclerosis has sued District Judge Benedict Willard and the criminal court, alleging in federal court that Willard mistreated her and created a phony record of no-shows to fire her over her disability.
Attorney Janelle Massey, who was among Willard’s first hires when he won a seat on the criminal court bench 20 years ago, claims her job duties extended past legal work.
She claims she was tasked with “running Judge Willard’s personal errands, picking up his children from school, taking Judge Willard’s children to eat after school, setting up for campaign parties at Judge Willard’s home, and running documents and/or other personal items from Judge Willard to private attorney offices,” her suit states.
