Legal confrontation for Ocean Casino Resort

In New Jersey and the former general counsel for Ocean Casino Resort is reportedly suing the property over claims that she was unjustly sacked for raising concerns over its alleged submission of falsified documents to state regulators.

According to a Wednesday report from The Press of Atlantic City newspaper, Loretta Pickus had served as the 1,399-room Atlantic City venue’s Senior Vice-President and top legal advisor but is contending that she was fired after questioning factual discrepancies contained within a report its audit committee presented to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

Direct dismissal:

The newspaper reported that Pickus’ lawsuit was filed with the New Jersey Superior Court on Tuesday and is seeking financial compensation from the owner of the Boardwalk casino once known as the Revel Casino Hotel, New York City-headquartered Luxor Capital Group. The action also purportedly names two members of Ocean Casino Resort’s audit committee, Fred DeVesa and Cory Morowitz, as defendants and claims that the plaintiff was let go only four days after voicing her concerns.

Additional accusation:

Katy McClure from local law firm Smith Eibeler LLC is reportedly representing Pickus and told the newspaper that her client was sacked after expressing opposition to the casino’s submission of ‘inaccurate information to the state agency charged with regulating it’. The attorney purportedly declared that the plaintiff’s gender moreover played a role in her termination as Ocean Casino Resort’s all-male audit committee is alleged to have told her to speak ‘softer’ and ‘less harshly’ regarding the apparent violations.

McClure reportedly told The Press of Atlantic City…

“The reasons the casino officials communicated to her for the decision to fire her reveal a retaliatory motive fueled by gender discrimination. Ms Pickus has suffered not only economic and emotional harm but harm to her professional reputation in a small industry.”