STACY LANGLEY
April 7, 2008
PIGEON A former Scheurer Hospital employee who claims she was terminated a year ago, has filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Bay City against the hospital seeking monetary damages in excess of $75,000.
Mary Ann Gascho was a registered nurse at the hospital for 35 years. Shes also the wife of the hospitals President and Chief Executive Officer, Dwight Gascho. Shes claiming the hospital violated her civil rights, firing her after she confronted her husband about an alleged affair he was having with Theresa A. Rabideau, the hospitals vice president of physicians practices and elder care.
In court documents, Mary Ann Gascho, who is represented by Saginaw attorney Victor Mastromarco Jr., claims the hospital allowed her husband to engage in sexual relations with Rabideau during company trips and that sexual relations between the two also took place at their hospital offices during work hours. The suit claims the hospital tolerated and did create a hostile, intimidating and pervasively sexually harassing work environment for Mary Ann Gascho and it resulted in her ultimate termination.
Scheurer Hospitals attorney, Gregory W. Moore, refused to comment about the lawsuit and referred all questions concerning the suit to Greg Foy, the hospitals human resources director.
Foy said while he cant comment extensively about the lawsuit, both he and the hospital are aware of the suit. He said the hospitals position is that the lawsuit is without merit.
The hospital has a valid and enforceable separation agreement with the plaintiff (Mary Ann Gascho), and she was in no way forced or coerced into signing that agreement.
Scheurer Hospital has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit.
Mary Ann Gascho claims in October of 2006 when she became concerned about a possible affair between her husband and Rabideau, she confronted the two, who then confirmed the affair in early November. Mary Ann Gascho states she told her concerns about the affair to her immediate supervisor at the hospital, Lee Gascho, who she claims confirmed he was suspicious that a relationship was going on as well.
The suit also claims that on Jan. 17, 2007 Mary Ann Gascho confronted Rabideau at the hospital. The suit states the conversation was interrupted by Dwight Gascho who came into Rabideaus office, blocked the doorway and then physically accosted, battered and physically abused Mary Ann Gascho, dragging her across the hallway and into his office. The lawsuit claims Dwight Gascho then told Mary Ann Gascho she was fired.
Mary Ann Gaschos suit claims Lee Gascho and Foy did step in and tell her they would get back with her the next day. The complaint states Mary Ann Gascho met with the two on Jan. 19, and they told her she was being suspended for three days and if she did this again she would be fired.
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