The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a suit in U.S. District Court in Baltimore Tuesday against retail giant Wal-Mart, alleging it illegally fired a long-time pharmacy employee because of a disability she sustained from a gunshot wound. Glenda Crocamo was employed with Wal-Mart since 1993, most recently in Harford County at its Abington location, according to the lawsuit. As a result of a gunshot wound, Crocamo suffered permanent damage to her spinal cord, requiring her to use a cane to walk. She was fired on July 18, 2003, despite having a history of successful job performance, the suit states.
“It is hard to understand how a retail giant could blatantly disregard its statutory obligation and summarily fire a qualified employee who had devoted 10 years of service to the company,” Jacqueline McNair, a regional attorney for the EEOC said in a statement.
The suit seeks back wages, damages and changes in Wal-Mart policy. The circumstances of the shooting were unclear by press time.
Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley said he had not seen the suit and could not comment specifically about it. He added that Wal-Mart does not tolerate discrimination in its ranks.
“We do not permit discrimination on any basis in our company,” Simley said.
