NEW YORK (LALATE) – Debrahlee Lorenzana (pictures below) is now seeking a human rights investigation against Citibank (NYSE: C). Photos of Debrahlee Lorenzana aka Debralee Lorenzana were revealed early June as the former Citibank employee filed suit against the banking institution in a New York court. Her allegation was that Citibank fired her for being too hot.
Now several weeks later, and another attorney added, Debrahlee Lorenzana is back, telling press late Monday that she is now also seeking a state investigation. Lorezana wants the New York State human rights division to determine if she was fired based upon her curves.
Not just Lorezana, but also her case, is taking new curves, as a familiar face was added to her legal team, Gloria Allred. In early June, Lorezana’s images hit New York news. The photos here wee taken by her New York attorney, in the hall, at the desk, at the copy machine.
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In contrast, on Monday, Allred joined the team, and did what Allred always does – called a press conference. To the press event, Lorezana wore 6 inch stilettos and a form fitting yellow top, reports New York news. (Allred wore an impressive hot orange-red suit herself.) Debrahlee Lorenzana said in a tearful plea before a sea of media cameras “It didn’t matter what I did – I was a target to them”.
Allred added Debrahlee Lorenzana was allegedly forced into silence, and caused to suffer. “No woman should have to suffer in silence.”
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Citibank was a bit less dramatic in its response. “We remain confident that when all of the facts and documentation are presented, the claim will be dismissed.”
Debrahlee Lorenzana, 33, claims her bosses at a New York City branch told her to change her clothing choices. Debrahlee Lorenzana says all her bosses were male. She claims they disapproved her use of turtlenecks, pencil skirts, three-inch heels, and fitted business suits were not appropriate for work. Debrahlee Lorenzana wore the pencil skirt and three-inch heels at her press conference Monday.
Her suit claims that she was put on probation with an allegation she failed to show up to work on June 6 and June 7, dates she claims the branch isn’t even open. Two months later, Debrahlee Lorenzana was transferred and thereafter fired.
Online reaction to her clothing choices have been much the same. Readers contend that Lorezana’s wardrobe was appropriate, not revealing, and professional. “She is dressed fine for professional banking situation. She is attractive, but so what?” Another wrote “This woman is beautiful and dresses professionally… As long as she is covered up there should not be an issue.”
UPDATE 6/29/10: Most recent statement from Citibank reads as follows:
“Unlike Ms. Lorenzana, Citibank does not intend to try this case in the media and we reiterate that her termination was based on poor performance. Although we can’t speak to her previous attention-seeking activities, her current attempts to gain personal publicity are as transparent as her legal claims. We remain confident that when all of the facts and documentation are presented, the claim will be dismissed.”
