Ex-Rep Accuses Audacy of Discriminatory Conduct

A former account executive at Audacy’s Philadelphia cluster has filed a federal lawsuit against the company, claiming discriminatory and retaliatory behavior. Paul Bolognone, who dedicated 21 years to Audacy before his termination in 2022, asserts violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal statutes. 

In a complaint submitted on December 11 to the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, Bolognone reveals that he was diagnosed in January 2022 with a serious heart condition that necessitated extensive testing, major surgery, and a prolonged recovery period with several physical limitations. Less than a year after revealing his condition, taking medical leave, and requesting to work remotely, he was terminated allegedly "under the guise of an alleged violation" of Audacy’s code of conduct. Just six days prior to his dismissal, Bolognone reported internally about "sexually inappropriate comments" made by his supervisor and a co-worker regarding a female employee.

Paul Bolognone

Bolognone contends that his disability and the accommodations he requested, coupled with his complaints about sexually explicit remarks among colleagues, were the true motivations behind his firing.

In late December 2022, Bolognone filed a Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which ultimately dismissed the complaint and issued a Notice of Right To Sue.

The alleged inappropriate comments date back to January 2018, when Bolognone claims to have overheard the Philly cluster’s General Sales Manager and an Outside Sports Sales Consultant discussing whether they would have sexual relations with a female sales representative at the station. 

The female employee also heard the conversation and subsequently filed an internal complaint, according to the lawsuit. 

Bolognone corroborated the details of the discussion during an internal investigation into the incident.