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United Kingdom
Boston Water and Sewer Commission’s former human resources director, Marie Theodat, has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation, and a campaign to remove her from her high-paid position.
The lawsuit names the Commission, Executive Director Henry Vitale, Mayor Michelle Wu, and several current and former city officials among the defendants.
Theodat’s 216-page complaint claims her dismissal followed months of internal investigations that she says were based on “bogus” and “malicious” allegations. She also alleges that false information was shared with local media to damage her career and reputation.
The Commission confirmed Theodat was placed on paid administrative leave last December and formally dismissed in April. She had held the role since 2019 and previously received a substantial pay rise and promotion.
Theodat is embroiled in several civil lawsuits that include fraud allegations and was the subject of three internal investigations commissioned by her ex-employer, which the Commission says were based on “allegations of misconduct.”
Theodat alleges in her complaint that the civil action against her, which includes allegations that she worked with relatives to swindle her elderly, dementia-ridden uncle out of his $1.1 million Dorchester home, is “frivolous,” and that the internal investigations were “bogus.”
Claims of bias and workplace hostility
In the filing, Theodat, a Black Haitian woman, alleges she faced racial and gender discrimination during her tenure. The lawsuit claims she was “targeted, undermined, and devalued” because of her race, color, national origin, and sex.
She further contends that the organization maintained a “toxic” culture where employees who raised concerns were punished. The complaint states that conditions worsened when former Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty joined as deputy general counsel, alleging he and others worked to discredit her.
Theodat also accuses the Commission’s legal team of orchestrating a coordinated effort to push her out and of leaking internal information to the press. She alleges this ultimately contributed to her termination.
Leadership and accountability questions
According to the filing, communications between Theodat’s attorney and city officials suggest Mayor Wu’s office pressured the Commission’s executive director to remove her “to stop the stories” related to her civil litigation. The complaint claims Vitale was warned that failure to do so could result in his own dismissal.
Neither the Mayor’s office nor the Commission has commented.
A statement from attorney Jeffrey Robbins, representing the Boston Herald (also named as a defendant) described the lawsuit as “frivolous” and said the newspaper’s reporting was based on public court records.
Theodat denies wrongdoing and has appealed a separate civil verdict involving a private loan dispute.
Her complaint argues that her dismissal reflects a deeper issue within public-sector HR leadership around how internal investigations, media scrutiny, and political influence can shape employment decisions.
