A group of former employees has filed a lawsuit against a state department, alleging systemic racial discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. The complaint was lodged by Coretta Fraser, Tona Branch, Glenda Cody, Catrice Gilmore, Lashaun White, Kimball Thornton, and Marquita Ross on December 29, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) — Department of Family and Children Services.
The plaintiffs claim that they were subjected to race discrimination, harassment, retaliation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and a hostile work environment during their tenure at the SNAP E&T HUB within the Division of Family and Children Services. According to the lawsuit, all plaintiffs are Black or African American and were employed as unclassified employees under supervisor Melodie Hayes. They allege that their workloads were unfairly increased from handling 8-10 cases per day to an overwhelming 48-50 cases per day while white colleagues did not experience such increases. This workload disparity is claimed to have been orchestrated by Felicia Ellis, Director at DFCS.
In February 2024, during an off-site convening in Savannah attended by both Black and primarily white non-HUB staff employees subordinate to Ellis, she allegedly used a racial slur directed at Black employees warning them against filing complaints with Human Resources. The plaintiffs assert that this incident created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation that persisted until their termination in July 2024. Furthermore, they allege that after returning from the convening, Ellis implemented new procedures designed to confuse and overload them with work as a pretext for disciplinary action.
The complaint details how these actions culminated in indefinite suspensions without pay beginning May 12 through May 16, 2024. Despite being told not to discuss their suspension with others except designated individuals within HR—none specifically for discrimination issues—the plaintiffs attempted unsuccessfully to contact HR regarding filing a group discrimination complaint. Their employment was terminated between July 2 and July 6 without explanation while white colleague Loyd Pack retained his position despite being responsible for approving time entries.
The plaintiffs seek various forms of relief including declaratory judgment declaring DHS’s actions as violations under §1981 and Title VII rights; full back pay; reinstatement or front pay; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages; costs associated with legal proceedings; among other remedies deemed just by the court.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney Percy L Square from Dacula GA while no specific defense attorneys are mentioned within this document. The case is identified under Case ID: 1:25-cv-07414-SEG-RDC with Judge Candice L Broce overseeing proceedings.
Source: 125cv7414_Coretta_Fraser_v_Gerogia_Department_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia.pdf