Former Lexington social worker files lawsuit, claims she was wrongfully terminated
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Former LFUCG social worker alleges gender discrimination and unlawful retaliation.
- Supervisors ended her LFUCG-paid clinical supervision contract, effectively ending employment.
- LFUCG disputes motive; attorneys seek federal venue and meet for settlement talks.
A former Lexington Fayette Urban County Government social worker is suing the city, claiming she was discriminated against because of her gender and subsequently fired in retaliation.
Jennifer Haynes filed the lawsuit Feb. 18 in Fayette Circuit Court. According to court documents, she previously worked as a certified social worker at the Audrey Grevious Center, a hybrid treatment center and nontraditional school that helps kid ages 12 to 17 learn the behavior, academic and social skills needed to transfer back to their home schools and graduate.
Haynes’ supervisor treated her differently than her co-workers because of her gender, according to the suit, and another supervisor pressured her to violate state law.
Haynes reported the alleged discrimination and unethical behavior, and was later told by the supervisors that she could not be trusted, according to the complaint. The supervisors ended a clinical supervision contract that was paid for by LFUCG, effectively ending her employment with the city government.
Haynes is claiming gender discrimination, unlawful retaliation and wrongful termination. She is requesting unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from the city, a trial and any relief to which she may be entitled.
“We intend to prove all of the allegations in the complaint, and look forward to doing so in court,” Haynes’ lawyer, Christopher Miller, said in a statement to the Herald-Leader.
Susan Straub, a spokesperson for the city, said the city does not comment on pending litigation.
What else is in the lawsuit?
Haynes was hired in August 2022 as a certified social worker under the city’s Division of Youth Services. According to court documents, she was required to enter into a contract for clinical supervision with Kelly Justice, a licensed clinical social worker who was also employed by LFUCG.
The contract was paid for by the city, according to court documents.
Haynes claims her boss, Brianna Persley, harassed her for how she looked and dressed at work despite wearing the same type of clothing as her male colleagues.
Haynes submitted a complaint about Persley’s alleged discrimination to LFUCG’s human resources department on March 23, 2023, according to court documents.
Around the same time, Justice asked Haynes if she could sit in on counseling sessions between Haynes and various students at the center. According to court documents, none of Haynes’ students or their parents consented to Justice sitting in on the sessions, which is required by law.
When Haynes told Justice about the lack of consent, Justice insisted she sit in on the sessions anyway, according to court documents. Haynes reported Justice’s alleged behavior to the Kentucky Board of Social Work on March 27, 2023.
That same day, Justice, Persley and another supervisor asked to meet with Haynes and talk about the complaint to the board. Court documents say the supervisors told Haynes she “could not be trusted,” and her supervisory services contract with Justice was immediately terminated.
Haynes was given the option to continue working for LFUCG if she could find and pay for a new supervisor, though the city knew she could not afford to pay for one, according to court documents.
The city later claimed to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that Haynes was fired because of complaints against her from students and others. Court documents say Haynes did not receive a complaint while employed with the city government and had never been disciplined up until she was terminated.
“The rationale espoused by the LFUCG for its actions toward Haynes are factually false, did not in fact occur, and did not motivate the decision to essentially terminate her employment,” Miller wrote in the suit. “The true reason for the LFUCG’s action was solely gender discrimination and unlawful retaliation.”
Cody King, an attorney representing LFUCG in the lawsuit, has requested that the lawsuit be heard in Eastern Kentucky District Federal Court, claiming the allegations are more appropriate for federal court.
U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves has requested the attorneys meet by April 18 to discuss a potential settlement and evidence in the case. No hearing has been scheduled.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 8:10 AM.
