YMCA and O’Donnell Issue Statement on Judge’s Decision in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

YMCA and O’Donnell Issue Statement on Judge’s Decision in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

On November 8, federal district judge Joseph Laplante ruled that the case of two former Greater Providence YMCA executives, Karen Cooper and Linda Dykeman, against the nonprofit and its Chief Executive Officer -- and former head of the Rhode Island State Police -- Steven O’Donnell -- could move forward.

On Monday evening the YMCA and O’Donnell issued a statement on the case, stating they believe the courts will ultimately rule in their favor.

“In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the Judge is required to accept all the allegations made by the plaintiffs as true. It is not until the case is presented to a jury that determinations can be made regarding credibility. The YMCA and CEO Steven O’Donnell look forward to the opportunity to defend themselves against the false allegations brought by Linda Dykeman and Karen Cooper.  The YMCA and Mr. O’Donnell are confident the evidence will demonstrate that Dykeman’s and Cooper’s allegations are the unfortunate product of former YMCA Board Chair Gayle Corrigan’s failed attempt to secure a lucrative, six-figure, positon at the YMCA for herself, while she was still acting as the volunteer Chair of the Board of Directors," said the YMCA in a prepared statement. 

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Laplante’s ruling came after YMCA and O'Donnell had filed for summary judgment asking the court to throw the lawsuits out.

Laplante ruled that three of four claims can go to trial. The judge outlines in his 34-page ruling the court found that the claims of gender discrimination and humiliation of the two women by the YMCA and specifically O'Donnell had merit to move forward.

“Plaintiffs Karen Cooper and Linda Dykeman allege that the Greater Providence Young Men’s Christian Association and their former supervisor, Steven O’Donnell, subjected them to a hostile work environment based on their gender and retaliated against them when they complained of this discrimination, in violation of federal and state law,” claim the Cooper and Dykeman in the lawsuit.

The YMCA and O’Donnell state, “Again, the evidence will demonstrate that because Mr. O’Donnell and the YMCA Board recognized, and thwarted, Corrigan’s attempts to use her position as Board Chair to secure this lucrative contract, she and her business partners – Dykeman and Cooper – undertook a campaign to smear Mr. O’Donnell and hamper the work of the Greater Providence YMCA.”

“The YMCA and Mr. O’Donnell look forward to a trial on these unfounded allegations and are confident a jury of Rhode Island citizens will view Dykeman’s and Cooper’s claims just as the YMCA and Mr. O’Donnell know them to be - wholly unfounded,” added the statement by the YMCA and O’Donnell.

Cooper and Dykeman’s attorney David Case and Corrigan did not respond to requests for comment on Monday night.