A former assistant health services director at an assisted living facility claims she was wrongfully terminated due to discrimination based on her race and sex, as well as retaliation after raising concerns about workplace conduct. The lawsuit was filed by LaTonya Witt in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on March 4, 2026, naming Senior Star and Senior Star Kenwood, LLC as defendants.
According to the complaint, Witt began working at The Kenwood by Senior Star in Cincinnati on June 4, 2024. She alleges that she initially received praise for her performance, including a perfect evaluation after 90 days and positive feedback from both executive leadership and staff. However, Witt claims that after disagreeing with Executive Director Scott Gibson regarding the termination of another employee without investigation, she became subject to a hostile work environment.
The filing outlines several incidents that Witt believes demonstrate discriminatory treatment. For example, she states that Gibson made comments which she interpreted as racially prejudiced during discussions about staff behavior. She also describes being excluded from group communications among directors—she says she was the only Black director at the time—and experiencing racially insensitive remarks from colleagues.
Witt further alleges that after reporting these issues to human resources and corporate management, she faced increased scrutiny and differential treatment compared to white or male colleagues. She claims that only she was required to attend weekly meetings with management while others had monthly meetings. Additionally, Witt describes being subjected to gossip and rumors allegedly encouraged by management.
The complaint asserts that on July 3, 2025, Witt was terminated without cause in a manner intended to humiliate her. She states that she was not allowed to collect her personal belongings or properly secure medical equipment in accordance with state law—a situation which she says put her nursing license at risk.
Witt contends that throughout her employment she faced ongoing discrimination based on both race and sex. She cites instances where white female employees who disagreed with management were not terminated under similar circumstances. The complaint also includes allegations of retaliatory actions following her complaints about workplace culture and specific individuals’ conduct.
The legal action accuses Senior Star and its subsidiary of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §2000e) as well as Ohio Revised Code §4112. Witt seeks compensation for lost wages and benefits (both past and future), reinstatement or front pay if reinstatement is not possible, compensatory damages for emotional distress and mental anguish, punitive damages due to alleged malice or reckless indifference by the defendants, attorneys’ fees, costs associated with bringing the action, and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Witt’s attorney is Cornelius “Carl” Lewis of The Lewis Law Firm in Cincinnati. The case is identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-00225-DRC.
Source: 126cv00225_Witt_v_Senior_Star_Complaint_Southern_District_Ohio.pdf
