Maine Human Rights Commission finds no reasonable grounds in Russo's age and disability complaint against Allied Universal

The Maine Human Rights Commission on the record found no reasonable grounds to conclude Allied Universal unlawfully discriminated against or retaliated against Antonio Russo, a former security officer who said he was removed from the Portland Jetport after reporting misconduct.

Antonio Russo told commissioners that he submitted written complaints about workplace problems and that he was treated differently afterward. “I put Vaseline on some door handles,” Russo acknowledged of a 2020 incident but said it had been resolved and that later removal in 2023 followed protected complaints he said he and co-workers filed. Russo said he had a medical leave in 2020 for cancer treatment and argued the company used earlier conduct to justify a 2023 removal.

Jennifer Calamia, counsel for Allied Universal, told the commission Russo remained eligible for rehire at sites other than the Jetport and that the Portland Jetport considered the 2020 door-handle incident a disqualifying unprofessional act. Calamia said the employer’s records show attempts to place Russo at alternate sites and that supervisors in 2023 were unaware of earlier protected reports. “Allied Universal has no record of receiving the letter,” Calamia said regarding a 2020 written complaint Russo says he mailed; she confirmed Allied recorded verbal complaints but not the earlier letter in its files.

Investigator Jane O’Reilly testified the record established Russo had made protected reports earlier in his career but that the evidence did not link that activity causally to the 2023 removal. O’Reilly said the client at the Jetport requested his removal based on the earlier unprofessional conduct record, and the decisive events in 2023 were not shown to be driven by retaliatory motive.

Commissioners moved to adopt the investigator’s recommendation. The vote to find no reasonable grounds was recorded with Commissioner David, Commissioner O’Brien, Commissioner Walker, Commissioner Douglas and Commissioner Sanders all voting yes. The commission will send letters to the parties explaining next steps, including the complainant’s option to pursue civil remedies.