Former Lousiana Parish Employee Sues

A former Terrebonne Parish employee has filed suit in federal court claiming she was fired because of her age.

The suit says Barbara Dupre, 42, worked in the Terrebonne Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, from January 2002 to February 2009, shortly after Director Earl Eues took over.

According to Tuesday’s Courier, the suit says Dupre, then 40 and the office manager, was fired even though she “did not commit any misconduct or otherwise any action which justified the termination of her employment.”

An investigation by the state’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission showed she had a right to file a lawsuit. Dupre is suing the parish for back pay and benefits, as well as future wages, court costs and damages. No dollar amount is stated.

Dupre alleges her bosses thought she was too old to do the job. The suit says the parish hired an inexperienced person under the age of 30 to replace her.

“Complainant shows that the person in question was less qualified to perform her duties and responsibilities and did not have any experience within the field of emergency preparedness and management,” the suit says.