In a dramatic legal confrontation, a former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging severe violations of employment law. The complaint was lodged by Lisa Yvonne Reyes in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on January 23, 2025, targeting Oportun, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Reyes accuses her former employer of discrimination and wrongful termination.
The case revolves around allegations that Oportun, Inc., engaged in discriminatory practices against Reyes due to her age and medical conditions. According to the complaint, Reyes was employed as a store team leader from December 2018 until her alleged wrongful termination on January 23, 2023. Throughout her tenure, she claims to have faced numerous challenges stemming from injuries and medical conditions that were not adequately accommodated by her employer. In 2021, Reyes suffered an injury to her hand at work and was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Despite notifying her supervisor and providing medical documentation for accommodations, she alleges that the company failed to honor these requests and continued to assign tasks beyond her physical capabilities.
Reyes further asserts that during a medical leave following hospitalization for pneumonia and a heart attack in early 2022, she was informed via email that her position might no longer be available. However, upon contacting the company, she was reassured that submitting medical documentation would secure her job. Despite this assurance and being cleared by her doctor to return with certain restrictions in January 2023, she claims Oportun terminated her employment instead of accommodating these restrictions.
The plaintiff contends that these actions constitute violations under several sections of the California Government Code related to discrimination (Gov’t Code §§12940 et seq.), retaliation (Gov’t Code §§12945.2 et seq.), failure to prevent discrimination (Gov’t Code §12940(k)), failure to provide reasonable accommodations (Gov’t Code §§12940 et seq.), and failure to engage in an interactive process (Gov’t Code §§12940 et seq.). Additionally, Reyes argues that Oportun's policies disproportionately affected employees over the age of 40.
In response to these grievances, Reyes is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $35,000 for lost wages and benefits along with punitive damages aimed at penalizing Oportun for their alleged misconduct. She also demands declaratory judgment affirming her rights under California law and injunctive relief preventing future discriminatory practices by the defendant.
Representing Lisa Yvonne Reyes is attorney Ramin R. Younessi from the Law Offices of Ramin R. Younessi in Los Angeles. The case is presided over by Judge Alex Lopez under Case No. 2025 CUIVWT OS F428.