ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Nadeem Shahzad, the city's human resources director of nearly two months, claimed he was illegally fired Friday at a time when City Hall is facing scrutiny over the treatment of minority employees.
In a Friday evening email to Mayor Matt Tuerk, Shahzad said he intended to pursue federal and state litigation against the city for terminating him without valid cause.
"My hope is that through the legal process, the truth will prevail and justice will be served," Shahzad wrote in the email obtained by LehighValleyNews.com
- Nadeem Shahzad is out as Allentown's human resources director after less than two months on the job
- In an email to Mayor Matt Tuerk, Shahzad threatened legal action and raised concerns about the city's treatment of minority employees
- His departure comes amid complaints by the Allentown NAACP over allegations of discrimination and racism in city government
In a text Saturday evening, city spokeswoman Genesis Ortega said that Shahzad was not terminated but resigned. She declined further comment, saying the city does not comment on personnel matters.
City council unanimously hired Shahzad on June 28. He previously served as director of human resources for Delaware County and regional human resources director for Nassau County, New York. Efforts to contact Shahzad seeking comment Saturday were not immediately successful.
In the email, Shahzad alludes to a discussion between him and Tuerk over "the treatment of minority employees and the perceived bias in hiring practices." He also wrote that he refused to follow directives about firing another HR employee because he believed it was against the principles of fairness and inclusivity.
"My intention was never to disrespect your leadership, but rather to advocate for an environment where every individual feels valued and appreciated for their unique contributions," Shahzad wrote.
"It is concerning that a little over a month after Nadeem started that he's already leaving. I think we're owed an explanation from the administration."Ce-Ce Gerlach, Allentown City Council member
Tuerk did not immediately return a phone call or text seeking comment Saturday. Council members Cynthia Mota, Santo Napoli and Ce-Ce Gerlach said they learned of Shahzad's departure late Friday but knew few details.
"It is concerning that a little over a month after Nadeem started that he's already leaving," Gerlach said. "I think we're owed an explanation from the administration."
NAACP allegations
Shahzad's termination comes about a month after the Allentown NAACP sent a five-page letter to Tuerk expressing grave concerns over reports of racism and discrimination under his administration.
The allegations ranged from white police officers being allowed to cheat on tests — thus giving them a leg up on opportunities for promotions — to the city failing to follow its own bylaws over job postings to not providing minority employees the same job training opportunities provided to white workers.
The letter had the names of the chapter's leadership, but President Walt Felton and Vice President Dan Bosket said the letter was not authorized. NAACP leadership would not publicly discuss the status of the letter during a general membership meeting Thursday night, and Bosket declined to discuss the letter or its allegations Friday.
Tuerk has not commented on the allegations within the letter but denied in an email to all city employees that his administration was ignoring allegations of racism or discrimination.
In that email, he encouraged employees to report allegations of discrimination to his office, the legal department or HR — which is now without a director.
