District of Columbia
D.C. lawsuit claims AARP Services illegally fired gay man
Five-year-old case set for February 2024 trial
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2023/07/Richard_Deus_insert_via_Linkedin.jpg)
A gay former manager for the D.C.-based AARP Services, Inc., an arm of the AARP that interacts with businesses supportive of the nationās seniors, filed a little-noticed lawsuit in May 2018 charging AARP Services with firing him because heās gay and married to a man.
Richard A. Deus, Jr., who worked for AARP and AARP Services for 11 years and held the title of director of program management at the time of his termination in February 2018, charges in his lawsuit that AARP officials falsely accused him of accepting gifts for travel from businesses affiliated with AARP that violated AARP employee ethics policies.
The lawsuit says AARP Services cited these alleged violations as the reason for its decision to fire him.
But, according to a 26-page amended complaint filed by Deusās attorney in D.C. Superior Court, Deus sought and received permission from his supervisor and an official with the AARPās general counselās office to take two separate trips, one to New Orleans and the other to New York City, as being work related.
The New Orleans trip involved attending the Sugar Bowl football game at the invitation of the Allstate insurance company, which has a longstanding business relationship with AARP Services, the lawsuit says. The trip to New York involved seeing a show with a vendor after the workday, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit identifies as many as a dozen or more other AARP and AARP Services employees who have taken business trips like the two taken by Deus who were not fired or disciplined. A few faced disciplinary actions but were allowed to retain their jobs, the lawsuit says.
āDespite the fact that heterosexual employees were permitted to participate in work related trips to sporting events, Plaintiff was terminated purportedly for taking a work-related trip to the Sugar Bowl after receiving approval,ā the complaint says.
āTerminating Plaintiffās employment as a result of his work-related trip to the Allstate Sugar Bowl after his supervisor and the General Counselās office approved the trip and despite that other AARP employees participated in the same business-related activity without adverse actions being taken against any of them, is discriminatory on the basis of Plaintiffās sexual orientation and marital status, in violation of the D.C. Human Rights Act,ā the complaint states.
The Washington Blade attempted to obtain a response from the AARP to the allegations made in the Deus lawsuit, but an official said the AARP would have no comment at this time.
āThank you for reaching out but we do not comment on pending legal matters,ā said Colby Nelson, AARPās Senior External Relations Director, in an email to the Blade.
In its response to the lawsuit filed in court, AARP Services denies it engaged in discrimination against Deus.
āAll decisions made by Defendants with respect to Mr. Deusā employment were based solely on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons, wholly without regard to his sexual orientation, marital status, and/or any other protected classification, and were made in good faith and in compliance with applicable laws,ā a Nov. 8, 2018, court filing by AARP Services says.
As part of its defense, AARP Services also filed a counterclaim against Deus, accusing him of obtaining the reimbursement of $2,155.14 for travel expenses āthrough fraud.ā The counterclaim says Deus refused a request that he repay the reimbursement payment. It calls on the court to order him to repay the reimbursement plus interest incurred since the time the money was given to him and to pay for attorneyās fees.
Deusās attorney, Darrell Chambers, said the allegations in the counterclaim are false and called it a form of retaliation against Deus for filing his discrimination lawsuit.
Deusās lawsuit calls for a judgement against AARP Services of $10 million, $5 million for compensatory damages and $5 million for punitive damages, along with attorneyās fees and court costs.
āI took hundreds of business trips for AARP over the course I was there for 11 years,ā Deus told the Blade. āI did what everybody else did,ā he said, adding that his trips helped AARP and AARP Services obtain millions of dollars in revenue through arrangements with businesses supportive of AARP.
On its website, AARP Services, Inc. describes itself as the āprofessional services arm of AARP,ā adding, āwe support the Associationās mission of disrupting aging by helping bring new products to drive market innovation and build richer connections with consumers.ā
Deus told the Blade he was dedicated to helping AARP fulfill its mission in supporting the nationās seniors and his firing came as a devastating blow.
Court records show that at the request of the judge presiding over the case, two attempts were made to reach a conciliation agreement to settle the lawsuit, but no agreement could be reached.
The lawsuit says AARP allegedly fired at least one other gay employee, who also filed suit and an out-of-court settlement was reached. The terms of the settlement have not been publicly disclosed.
Court records also show that at the request of AARP Services, D.C. Superior Court Judge Shana Frost Matini, who is presiding over the case, agreed to a motion by AARP Services to dismiss two AARP officials named in the lawsuit as defendants and to dismiss the lawsuitās claim of negligence against AARP Services for its firing of Deus.
Attorney Chambers said the judge dismissed the two officials because a third AARP Services official named in the lawsuit as a defendant admitted to making the decision to fire Deus.
Court records show that the judge denied motions by AARP Services to dismiss the entire case, upholding for trial the allegations of sexual orientation and marital status discrimination.
āAt this time, Rick would like to share his story,ā attorney Chambers told the Blade in a statement. āAs a gay man who has lived in D.C. for 22 years and was discriminatorily fired by an organization that states they are gay friendly, Rick believes that his story should be heard,ā Chambers said.
āThe fact that he has been entrenched in a bitter and expensive legal battle with AARP Services, Inc. for five years is a cautionary tale for anyone interested in an employment relationship with AARP,ā he said.
Court records show that a trial for the case has been scheduled for Feb. 12, 2024.
District of Columbia
D.C. man fatally stabbed by partner was convicted twice for domestic violence
Ted Anthony Brown faces second-degree murder charge
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/05/murder_scene_at_517_Harvard_Street_Northwest_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Lou_Chibbaro_Jr.jpg)
Prosecutors with the Office of the U.S. Attorney for D.C. disclosed in court filings that Tommy Hudson, 58, the gay man who was stabbed to death by his domestic partner on May 26, had a criminal record of eight arrests and convictions between 1987 and 2018, including two domestic violence assault convictions in which the partner charged with killing him was the victim.
Ted Anthony Brown, 54, who court records show had a longtime romantic relationship with Hudson, was charged on May 29 with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly fatally stabbing Hudson inside Brownās apartment at 517 Harvard St., N.W., following an argument He is being held in jail without bond while awaiting trial.
Charging documents filed in D.C. Superior Court show that at the time of his arrest, Brown waived his Miranda rights to remain silent and confessed to having stabbed Hudson, saying he did so after Hudson punched him in the face while the two were arguing.
āBrown reported that he and the decedent have been involved in a romantic relationship for a significant period and that he was very jealous of the decedentās possible infidelities,ā an affidavit by police in support of his arrest states. āSuspect 1 [Brown] reported to detectives that he believed the decedent punching him to the face did not justify Suspect 1 stabbing the decedent, which ultimately killed him,ā the affidavit says.
Court records show that prosecutors with the Office of the U.S. Attorney on May 31 sent a letter to Brownās defense attorney, Todd Baldwin, disclosing Hudsonās prior arrests and convictions as part of a required discovery process in which prosecutors must disclose information relevant to a criminal case to the defense, even if the information may be harmful to the prosecutorsā case at trial.
The prosecutorsā letter, sent by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Galloway, says Hudsonās prior convictions include a 2018 charge of violating a Temporary Protection Order requiring he stay away from someone he was accused of threatening with domestic violence; a 2015 charge of domestic violence related simple assault against his partner Brown; and a 2014 domestic violence related simple assault and unlawful entry charge also involving Brown.
The letter says Hudson was also convicted of a 2012 charge of Bail Reform Act violation; a 2010 charge of possession of cocaine; a 2002 charge of cruelty to an animal; a 2001 charge of felony āescape;ā a 2000 charge of second-degree theft; a 1997 charge of violation of the Bail Reform Act; and a 1987 charge of criminal ācontempt.ā
Court records, meanwhile, show that on June 17 D.C. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein approved a motion by the defense calling for defendant Brown to undergo a mental health competency screening to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. Prosecutors did not oppose the motion. The judge scheduled a āMental Observationā hearing for Brown on July 11 to review and assess the findings of the competency screening.
Court records also show that prosecutors agreed to keep a plea bargain offer they made earlier open until the findings of the mental health exam become known.
District of Columbia
Bernie Delia, attorney, beloved Capital Pride organizer, dies at 68
Activist worked at Justice Department, White House as attorney
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/06/20240600_Bernie_Delia_at_Pride_Honors_insert_2_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg)
Bernie Delia, a founding member of the Capital Pride Alliance, the group that organizes most D.C. LGBTQ Pride events, and who served most recently as co-chair of World Pride 2025, which D.C. will be hosting next June, died unexpectedly on Friday, June 21, according to a statement released by Capital Pride Alliance. He was 68.
āIt is with great sadness that the Capital Pride Alliance mourns the passing of Bernie Delia,ā the statement says. āWe will always reflect on his life and legacy as a champion, activist, survivor, mentor, friend, leader, and a true inspiration to the LGBTQ+ community.ā
The statement says that in addition to serving six years as the Capital Pride Alliance board president, Delia served for several years as president of Dignity Washington, the local LGBTQ Catholic organization, where he helped create āan environment for spiritual enrichment during the height of the AIDS epidemic.ā
āHe also had a distinguished legal career, serving as one of the first openly gay appointees at the U.S. Department of Justice and later as an appellate attorney,ā the statement reads.
Deliaās LinkedIn page shows that he worked at the U.S. Department of Justice for 26 years, serving as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2001 to 2019. Prior to that, he served from 1997 to 2001 as associate deputy attorney general and from 1994 to 1997 served as senior counsel to the director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, which provides executive and administrative support for 93 U.S. attorneys located throughout the country.
His LinkedIn page shows he served from January-June 1993 as deputy director of the Office of Presidential Personnel during the administration of President Bill Clinton, in which he was part of the White House staff. And it shows he began his career as legal editor of the Bureau of National Affairs, which published news reports on legal issues, from 1983-1993.
The Capital Pride Alliance statement describes Delia as āan avid runner who served as the coordinator of the D.C. Front Runners and Stonewall Kickball LGBTQ sports groups.”
āHe understood the value, purpose, and the urgency of the LGBTQ+ community to work together and support one another,ā the statement says. āHe poured his soul into our journey toward World Pride, which was a goal of his from the start of his involvement with Capital Pride.ā
The statement adds, āBernie will continue to guide us forward to ensure we meet this important milestone as we gather with the world to be visible, heard, and authentic. We love you, Bernie!ā
In a statement posted on social media, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she and her administration were āheartbrokenā over the news of Deliaās passing.
āBernie leaves behind an incredible legacy in our city and country ā through his life and advocacy, he helped pave a path for LGBTQIA+ residents in our city and within the federal government to live and work openly and proudly,ā the mayor says in her statement.
āHe helped transform Capital Pride into one of the largest and most inclusive Pride celebrations in the nation ā a true reflection and representation of our people and values,ā the statement says. āThis is the D.C. that Bernie helped build and that he leaves behind.ā
“All of the hopes and dreams that we had about what Pride could be and what CPA could do, are things that Bernie actualized over the last many years and in his work for next year,ā said Vincent Slatt, Rainbow History Projectās director of archiving in a statement. āHe wasn’t the first one to say it, but he always reminded everyone: āwe make each Pride special because, for someone, it is their first Pride, and they’ll remember it always.ā Bernie lived that ideal each and every year. WorldPride 2025 will be a testament to his efforts and his legacy will live on ā it will be someone’s first Pride. We’ll try to make Bernie proud of us.ā
Deliaās oral history interview is part of the Rainbow History Project Archives. You can access it at rainbowhistory.org.
Ashley Smith, the Capital Pride Alliance president, said he and other Capital Pride officials became concerned when Delia did not respond to their routine calls or messages. Smith said he called D.C. police to arrange for a welfare check on Delia at his house in Northwest D.C. on Friday, June 21. He said police accompanied him to Deliaās house and police entered the house and found Delia unconscious.
Smith said an ambulance was called and attempts to resuscitate Delia were unsuccessful. Smith said a definitive cause of death had not been determined other than it was due to natural causes. āHe had a heart attack last year, so he had been recovering from that, but he seemed to have been doing in fairly good order,āĀ Smith told the Blade.
Smith said the emergency medical technicians who arrived at the scene and who declared Delia deceased said, āit looked like it probably had to do with the previous heart condition that he already had, and that itās more than likely what it came from,ā Smith said in referring to Deliaās passing. “He died peacefully at home,” Smith added.
Smith and Dignity Washington spokesperson Jake Hudson said Deliaās two sisters, one from Baltimore and the other from Charlotte, N.C., were in D.C. working on funeral arrangements. Smith and Hudson said Capital Pride and Dignity planned to consult with the two sisters on plans for a possible Catholic mass in Deliaās honor as well as a celebration of life that Smith said would take place in D.C. in August or September.
Capital Pride was also working with the sisters to create a memorial fund in Deliaās honor that would raise money for the causes and programs that Delia supported over the course of his many years as an activist. āItās still being formulated,ā Smith said. āThat will be forthcoming when we get ready to do the celebration of life ceremony and everything else,ā he said.
According to Smith, the sisters, in consultation with Joseph Gawlerās and Sons funeral home in Northwest D.C,Ā were making arrangements for a cremation rather than a burial.
District of Columbia
D.C. Council budget bill includes $8.5 million in LGBTQ provisions
Measure also changes Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs
![](https://www.washingtonblade.com/content/files/2024/06/20240608_Muriel_Bowser_at_Capital_Pride_Parade_insert_c_Washington_Blade_by_Michael_Key.jpg)
The D.C. Council on June 12 gave final approval for a $21 billion fiscal year 2025 budget for the District of Columbia that includes more than $8.5 million in funding for LGBTQ-related programs, including $5.25 million in support of the June 2025 World Pride celebration that D.C. will be hosting.
Also included in the budget is $1.7 million in funds for the Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs, which includes an increase of $132,000 over the officeās funding for the current fiscal year, and a one-time funding of $1 million for the completion of the renovation of the D.C. Center for the LGBTQ Communityās new building in the cityās Shaw neighborhood.
The D.C. LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition earlier this year asked both the D.C. Council and Mayor Muriel Bowser to approve $1.5 million for the D.C. Centerās building renovation and an additional $300,000 in ārecurringā funding for the LGBTQ Center in subsequent years āto support ongoing operational costs and programmatic initiatives.ā In its final budget measure, the Council approved $1 million for the renovation work and did not approve the proposed $600,000 in annual operational funding for the center.
The mayorās budget proposal, which called for the $5.25 million in funding for World Pride 2025, did not include funding for the D.C. LGBTQ Center or for several other funding requests by the LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition.
At the request of D.C. Council member Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), the Councilās only gay member, the Council approved at least two other funding requests by the LGBTQ+ Budget Coalition in addition to the funding for the LGBTQ Center. One is $595,000 for 20 additional dedicated housing vouchers for LGBTQ residents who face housing insecurity or homelessness. The LGBTQ housing vouchers are administered by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs.
The other funding allocation pushed by Parker is $250,000 in funds to support a Black LGBTQ+ History Commission and Black LGBTQIA+ history program that Parker proposed that will also be administered by the LGBTQ Affairs office.
Also at Parkerās request, the Council included in its budget bill a proposal by Parker to change the Mayorās Office of LGBTQ Affairs to become a āstand-alone entityā outside the Executive Office of the Mayor. Parker told the Washington Blade this change would āallow for greater transparency and accountability that reflects its evolution over the years.ā
He said the change would also give the person serving as the officeās director, who is currently LGBTQ rights advocate Japer Bowles, āgreater flexibility to advocate for the interest of LGBTQ residentsā and give the Council greater oversight of the office. Parker noted that other community constituent offices under the mayorās office, including the Office of Latino Affairs and the Office of Veterans Affairs, are stand-alone offices.
The budget bill includes another LGBTQ funding provision introduced by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) that allocates $100,000 in grants to support LGBTQ supportive businesses in Ward 6 that would be awarded and administered by the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. Allen spokesperson Eric Salmi said Allen had in mind two potential businesses on 8th Street, S.E. in the Barracks Row section of Capitol Hill as potential applicants for the grants.
One is the LGBTQ cafĆ© and bar As You Are, which had to close temporarily earlier this year due to structural problems in the building it rents. The other potential applicant, Salmi said, is Little District Books, D.C.ās only LGBTQ bookstore thatās located on 8th Street across the street from the U.S. Marine Barracks.
āItās kind of recognizing Barrackās Row has a long history of creating spaces that are intended for and safe for the LGBTQ community and wanting to continue that history,ā Salmi said āSo, that was his kind of intent behind the language in that funding.ā
The mayorās budget proposal also called for continuing an annual funding of $600,000 to provide workforce development services for transgender and gender non-conforming city residents experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
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