Shahzad is planning to file a class action lawsuit for wrongful termination and has lined-up eight former Allentown workers who want to join him, he told 69 News in an email. Shahzad added that he and the eight others have filed complaints with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Shahzad alleges that he was forcefully pushed out of his job after he challenged Mayor Matt Tuerk. “He (Tuerk) just wanted everything done his way, and was very upset that the council was getting too much information,” Shahzad said, noting that the information pertains to dismissed city staff who were given payouts and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.
Shahzad alleges that the city council had asked for information on the number of former staff who received payments without their OK and who signed the NDAs.
Mayor Turk denied speaking with Shahzad about this issue. “It's unfortunate that a ‘human resources professional’ would discuss such matters with a journalist,” Mayor Turk told 69 News.