TEMPE, Ariz. — A former assistant to Michael Bidwill is suing the Arizona Cardinals proprietor, alleging that he “unmercifully harassed” her in an effort to get her to depart the workforce.
Brittany Neuheisel, who was Bidwill’s assistant from 2019 till she resigned final week, is suing on claims of constructive discharge, wrongful discharge, discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional misery. The 11-page grievance was filed Thursday within the Superior Courtroom of Maricopa County.
In accordance with the grievance, Bidwill was demeaning to Neuheisel and would verbally abuse her “nearly day-after-day.” Neuheisel left the Cardinals 9 days in the past and walked out crying after “Bidwill screamed at her for over a half hour,” her lawyer, Mike Caspino, informed ESPN.
Among the many many allegations within the lawsuit, Neuheisel says Bidwill demanded that she disavow her youngsters and grandchildren and that he informed Neuheisel that her relationships had been “affecting her work efficiency.”
Neuheisel says Bidwill requested her to make a number of false claims, together with transport a firearm by way of FedEx to an acquaintance. Neuheisel says she informed Bidwill of the restrictions on transport firearms however that Bidwill allegedly informed Neuheisel “to proceed with the cargo.” Bidwill additionally allegedly requested Neuheisel to “present false info” on federal and worldwide varieties that had been associated to his journey by personal airplane, in keeping with the lawsuit. When Neuheisel objected, Bidwill would allegedly inform Neuheisel, a training Catholic, “Do it after which go to confession.”
The lawsuit says Bidwill wished to exchange Neuheisel, a 54-year-old Navy veteran, with somebody who was “younger, stunning and athletic.” After the Cardinals employed a girl who match these descriptions, the lawsuit alleges that Neuheisel’s function was diminished and that duties she usually had completed had been taken over by the brand new rent.
The Cardinals disputed Neuheisel’s claims.
“Earlier this week, the Cardinals acquired an electronic mail from a California-based plaintiff’s lawyer,” a workforce spokesman stated in a press release. “In it, he threatened to file a lawsuit except the workforce agreed to his demand for a considerable amount of cash by 5:00PM the subsequent day. The workforce refused and the lawyer has now filed the Grievance.
“The Cardinals had been shocked by and strongly deny the allegations made on this lawsuit and intend to defend the case on its deserves within the acceptable discussion board. As that is now pending litigation, the workforce will chorus from additional remark.”
Caspino responded to the Cardinals’ assertion, saying his request was a part of the method.
“We at all times have interaction in pre-litigation settlement discussions,” Caspino informed ESPN. “In truth, judges count on us to take action. That is the observe of all competent legal professionals. Within the case of Ms. Neuheisel, our settlement efforts had been rebuffed by Bidwill and the Cardinals.”
The lawsuit is looking for a jury trial with a aim of damages, which weren’t specified.
ESPN investigated the Cardinals’ office tradition below Bidwill in 2023 after it got here below scrutiny following accusations made by Terry McDonough, the workforce’s former vp of participant personnel, who filed an arbitration grievance that accused the Cardinals and Bidwill of gross misconduct, together with discrimination and harassment, amongst different allegations.
In April, the Cardinals had been ordered by an NFL arbitrator to pay McDonough $3 million for “false and defamatory” statements the workforce made about him to the media.
Days later, McDonough’s spouse and daughter filed a lawsuit for defamation, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional misery in opposition to the Cardinals, Bidwill and others related to the workforce.
