Anil Sharma, a former Boulder City Police Officer, has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, alleging that the city ignored his multiple complaints of discrimination and workplace harassment by his immediate supervisor.

In January 2020, Anil Sharma joined as a Police Officer with the Boulder City Police Department. The lawsuit alleges Anil Sharma, a former police officer with the Boulder City Police Department, was subjected to disparate treatment from the Defendant due to his race, national origin, or other protected class. Sharma alleges throughout his employment at the Boulder City Police Department, his supervisor, Sergeant Woolsey, made inappropriate and discriminatory comments regarding Sharma’s race and national origin (Indian). On one such occasion, Sergeant Woolsey asked Plaintiff if his wedding registry would go through 7-11.

Further, Sharma’s supervisor, Woolsey, made several inappropriate comments about Sharma, including stating that Sharma’s child would be named “Royally Gay Sharma.” Additionally, it is alleged Sharma was continually treated differently and more harshly than his coworkers.

Per the lawsuit, in July of 2021, Sharma reported Sergeant Woolsey’s conduct and alleged that the City of Boulder City took no steps to investigate or address Sharma’s complaints. Sharma further alleges his boss began retaliating because of his complaint. Sharma again complained multiple times, and again, Defendant took no steps to address Sharma’s numerous complaints. However, instead of investigating the plaintiff’s complaints or Sergeant Woolsey’s behavior, the plaintiff Sharma was placed under investigation on or about January 8, 2022.  

The lawsuit states Sharma remained under investigation until June of 2022, wherein he was ultimately terminated. Plaintiff Sharma asserts the investigation and his subsequent termination were retaliatory for bringing complaints against his immediate supervisor, Sergeant Woolsey.

Further, it is alleged that the harassment and disparate treatment of Sharma caused him to suffer from substantial and severe emotional distress. Additionally, Sharma incurred lost wages due to his discriminatory, retaliatory, and wrongful termination.