A former employee has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, sex-based discrimination, and retaliation by his employer. Leonardo Guerrido filed the complaint against A. Stucki Company, doing business as Salco Products, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on December 11, 2024.
Leonardo Guerrido's legal battle stems from alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the complaint, Guerrido claims he was subjected to sexual harassment by his supervisor, Harriet Szlembarska, beginning around September 2023. The harassment reportedly included unwanted sexual advances and inappropriate comments such as "Damn, Leo, I bet you love getting blown," which were made in front of other employees. Despite Guerrido's clear indications that these advances were unwelcome, Szlembarska continued her behavior until Guerrido's termination on September 16, 2024.
Guerrido reported Szlembarska’s conduct to his manager Tony in June 2023 and later escalated the issue to Human Resources (HR) in June 2024 after no action was taken. HR assured him there would be no retaliation; however, shortly after his transfer to another department in August 2024 to avoid further harassment, Guerrido was terminated under what he claims are false pretenses related to his work performance.
The lawsuit details how Guerrido believes his termination was retaliatory due to his complaints about sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination. He alleges that despite meeting or exceeding performance expectations throughout his employment since May 2002 with no prior disciplinary actions or negative remarks against him, he was wrongfully terminated because of his gender and for engaging in protected activities under Title VII.
In response to these allegations, Guerrido is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages for mental anguish and distress suffered due to the alleged harassment and wrongful termination. Additionally, he requests reasonable attorney’s fees and costs along with any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Leonardo Guerrido are attorneys Nathan C. Volheim and Mally L. Slone from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while details regarding defense counsel remain undisclosed at this time. The case is presided over by Judge Reed Woo under Case ID: 1:24-cv-12741.