ACLU SEEKS JUSTICE FOR WOMAN FIRED FOR BEING PREGNANT

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Standing up against pregnancy discrimination in the workplace, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland has taken action on behalf of Leslie Ann Bentley, a Maryland woman fired by her Annapolis employer explicitly because she was pregnant. Bentley was employed as an assistant to Michael Chartos, a financial advisor for insurance behemoth Northwestern Mutual, but was fired from her job shortly after telling Chartos she was pregnant. When Bentley challenged the firing under state and federal anti-discrimination laws, Chartos claimed to be a solo-practitioner, too small an operation to be covered by the law. The ACLU challenges that representation and Ms. Bentley's discriminatory firing in a letter directed to both Northwestern Mutual and Chartos, demanding an apology to Bentley, lost wages for one year, as well as reimbursement of medical expenses incurred in her prenatal care and in connection with the birth of her son.

"Women have a right not to be fired or forced out of jobs when their employers learn that they are pregnant or when they return to work after having a baby," said Nick Steiner, an attorney at the ACLU of Maryland. "When women like Ms. Bentley are pushed out of the workplace, they lose important income and benefits when they need them the most. We are sending a message to employers, including national conglomerates with local affiliates, that regardless of how they structure themselves, Marylanders will make sure they don't get away with civil rights violations in the workplace."

In June of 2015, Leslie Ann Bentley was hired by Northwestern Mutual/Michael Chartos & Associates to work as an assistant to Michael Chartos and Benjamin Ganley. She provided clerical office support, communicated with new and ongoing clients, and supported the financial advisors in client service and business operations. Although Ms. Bentley reported to Chartos and Ganley, she always understood herself to be employed by Northwestern Mutual, as she received employment materials that indicated her position as a financial representative for the larger company. Indeed, Chartos' website is emblazoned with a Northwestern Mutual banner, describing him as "a Northwestern Mutual representative": http://michaelchartos.nm.com/.

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