A traveling Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) alleges severe discrimination and wrongful termination by her employer, a senior home facility, and several associated entities. Karen Y. Beckman filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 5, 2024, against Samaritan Bethany Senior Home, Rochester Police Department, specific police officers, and others.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred between April 21-24, 2023, when Beckman was assigned to work at Samaritan Bethany Senior Home via Eyshft Healthcare Agency. Beckman claims she faced age discrimination, national origin discrimination, and retaliation during her brief employment. According to the complaint, Beckman was caring for a resident named Myrtle who became combative. Despite reporting the situation to her superiors and requesting assistance due to her astigmatism which made it difficult to read care plans, Beckman received no support. The situation escalated when Myrtle's daughter allegedly provided edited video footage of the incident to investigators.
Beckman's complaint details that she was subsequently accused of elder abuse based on false witness statements and deceptively edited video evidence. She alleges that the Rochester Police Department conducted a biased investigation leading to her wrongful termination and suspension from her agency. Furthermore, Beckman asserts that this led to criminal charges being brought against her without probable cause.
In her filing, Beckman accuses the defendants of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Minnesota Human Rights Act by discriminating against her based on age, national origin, and sexual orientation. She also claims violations under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for fabricating false witness statements and depriving her of liberty without probable cause.
Beckman seeks various forms of relief including damages for loss of pay and benefits, statutory liquidated damages due to willful conduct by the defendants, attorney’s fees and costs incurred in this action, as well as punitive damages against individual defendants for their malicious actions.
Representing herself pro se in this matter is Karen Y. Beckman. The case is presided over by Judge Andrea R. Wood with Magistrate Judge Heather K. McShain assisting.