1 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOURTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

CASE NO.:

CARLA BADGLEY, 

 Plaintiff,

v. 

BISCAYNE BEDDING INTERNATIONAL LLC

a Florida Profit Corporation, 

Defendant. 

______________________________________________/ 

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff, CARLA BADGLEY (“BADGLEY” or Plaintiff), by and through his

undersigned counsel, hereby files this Complaint against Defendant, BISCAYNE BEDDING 

INTERNATIONAL LLC (hereinafter “BBI” or “Defendant”) and says: 

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. This action is brought against Defendant for its unlawful employment practices 

pursuant to the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), § 706(f) (42 U.S.C. § 

2000e-5(f)), which incorporates by reference the Civil Rights Act of 1964 codified at 42 U.S.C. 

§§ 2000e, et seq., and the Florida Civil Rights Act (“FCRA”), Chapter 760, Fla. Stat.

2. This Court has jurisdiction of the claims herein pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 

1343, and 1367. 

3. Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b) and (c), because 

Plaintiff was employed by Defendant in this District; because Defendant, at all material times, 

conducted and continues to conduct business in the Southern District of Florida; because the 

actions which give rise to Plaintiff’s claims happened within the Southern District of Florida; and 

because Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction herein. 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 1 of 14
2 

4. All conditions precedent to this action have been performed or waived.

PARTIES

5. Plaintiff is a resident of Broward County, Florida, over the age of 18 years and 

otherwise suis juris. During all times relevant to this Complaint, Plaintiff was employed by 

Defendant as a general manager. 

6. Plaintiff is a female who experienced disparate treatment, hostile work 

environment, and retaliation on the basis of her sex. Plaintiff is therefore a member of a class 

protected under Title VII and the FCRA because the terms, conditions, and privileges of her 

employment were altered because of her sex. 

7. Defendant is a Florida limited liability company registered to do business within 

Florida, with its principal place of business in Hialeah, Florida. Defendant has, at all times 

material hereto, conducted substantial and continuous business within the Southern District of 

Florida, and is subject to the laws of the United States and the State of Florida. 

8. Defendant has, at all times material, employed 15 or more employees for each 

working day in each of twenty or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding year in 

accordance with Title VII and the FCRA (42 U.S.C. §2000e(b); Fla. Stat. §760.02(7)). 

9. Plaintiff has exhausted her administrative remedies by filing a timely charge of 

discrimination against Defendant with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

(“EEOC”) which was dually filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations (“FCHR”) 

pursuant to the work-sharing agreement between the EEOC and the FCHR. 

10. Plaintiff filed her charge on or about October 22, 2021, which was no more than 

300 days after the last discriminatory event occurred, to wit: February 4, 2021. 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 2 of 14
3 

11. Plaintiff was issued a Notice of Suit Rights on June 10, 2022. This suit is filed in 

accordance with that Notice and within the applicable 90-day time limitation (a copy of the 

Notice is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”).

GENERAL ALLEGATIONS

12. Plaintiff, a female, worked for Defendant as a general manager from February 

2019 until her termination on February 4, 2021. 

13. Throughout Plaintiff’s employment with Defendant, Plaintiff was subjected to a 

culture of masculine superiority that was created by Defendant’s owner, Jan Wettergren. 

14. Plaintiff was the only female member of management. 

15. Plaintiff was subjected to frequent derogatory comments and sexist jokes. 

16. Plaintiff was not compensated at the same level as the similarly situated male 

managers.

17. Plaintiff was denied her earned bonus for 2020 even though her male counterparts 

received their bonuses for 2020. 

18. Plaintiff’s suggestions and/or advice were not given the same consideration as 

those offered by the male managers. 

19. Plaintiff was continually disregarded, disrespected and otherwise treated in a 

hostile manner by her male co-workers, even those subordinate to Plaintiff. 

20. In early February 2021, Plaintiff experienced two particularly hostile and 

degrading experiences based on her sex at the hands of a male subordinate and a male manager 

at an equal level to Plaintiff. 

21. On February 4, 2021, Plaintiff complained about the hostile and degrading 

experiences based on her sex to Wettergren.

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 3 of 14
4 

22. Wettergren dismissed Plaintiff’s complaint without any investigation. 

23. Wettergren informed Plaintiff that if she felt she was treated in a hostile and 

degrading manner it was best that they went their separate ways and terminated Plaintiff.

24. Even if Defendant had legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for its actions, 

Plaintiff’s sex was, at minimum, a motivating factor in Defendant’s disparate treatment of 

Plaintiff including but not limited to Defendant’s decision to terminate Plaintiff 1. 

25. Plaintiff has retained the undersigned firm to prosecute this action on her behalf 

and has agreed to pay it a reasonable fee for its services. 

26. Plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs if she is the prevailing 

party in this action. 

COUNT I: VIOLATION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 

(DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX) 

27. Plaintiff re-alleges and re-avers paragraphs 1 – 26 as fully set forth herein. 

28. Plaintiff brings this action under Title VII for damages caused by Defendant’s 

disparate treatment of Plaintiff on the basis of race. 

29. Plaintiff is a member of a protected class, to wit, female. 

30. Plaintiff experienced discriminatory treatment due to her sex. 

31. Defendant treated Plaintiff less favorably than Plaintiff’s male co-workers. 

Specifically, Plaintiff was subjected to frequent derogatory comments, sexist jokes, lower pay, 

withheld bonuses, and disrespectful and hostile treatment due to her sex. 

32. Due to the disparate treatment inflicted on Plaintiff on the basis of her sex, 

Plaintiff was terminated. 

33. Defendant’s reasons for Plaintiff’s termination were pretextual. 

 

1 Plaintiff explicitly reserves the right to argue a mixed-motive theory applies to all counts contained herein. 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 4 of 14
5

34. Even if Defendant had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons, Plaintiff’s sex

was, at minimum, a motivating factor in Defendant’s adverse employment decisions.

35. Defendant acted with intentional disregard for Plaintiff’s rights as a female

protected under Title VII. Defendant, by and through its officers, and/or supervisors, authorized, 

condoned, and/or ratified the unlawful conduct of is owners, supervisors and/or other employees.

36. Plaintiff is entitled to such affirmative relief as may be appropriate, including, but 

not limited to, lost wages, benefits, and compensation for emotional distress, pursuant to the 

provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, § 706(g) as a direct result of Defendant’s 

discriminatory actions. 

37. Plaintiff, based on information and belief, alleges that Defendant’s actions were 

done with malice, and with disregard for her protected rights under Title VII. Therefore, Plaintiff 

is also entitled to punitive damages from Defendant in a sum according to proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY requests that:

a. The Court grant Plaintiff judgment against Defendant to compensate her for 

past and future pecuniary losses, including injury to her professional 

reputation, and emotional pain and suffering caused by Defendant’s 

discriminatory treatment in an amount to be determined at trial and in 

accordance with the Title VII;

b. The Court require Defendant to reinstate Plaintiff to the position at the rate of 

pay and with the full benefits Plaintiff would have had if Plaintiff had not 

been discriminated against by Defendant; or, in lieu of reinstatement, award 

front pay;

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 5 of 14
6 

c. The Court award Plaintiff the costs of this action, together with her reasonable 

attorneys’ fees incurred herein, pursuant to contract and/or statute; and 

d. The Court award Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems 

appropriate. 

COUNT II: VIOLATION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 

(HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT)

38. Plaintiff re-alleges and re-avers paragraphs 1 – 26 as fully set forth herein. 

39. Plaintiff brings this action under the Title VII for damages caused by Defendant’s 

unlawful employment practices committed against Plaintiff by allowing and ratifying the 

disparate treatment Defendant’s supervisors inflicted on Plaintiff on the basis of sex. 

40. Plaintiff is a member of a protected class, to wit, female. 

41. Plaintiff was subjected to constant and continual offensive and unwelcomed 

discriminatory conduct from her male co-workers and Wettergren, due to sex. 

42. Male co-workers and Wettergren constantly treated Plaintiff less favorably than 

Plaintiff’s male co-workers. Specifically, Plaintiff was subjected to frequent derogatory 

comments, sexist jokes, lower pay, withheld bonuses, and disrespectful and hostile treatment due 

to her sex which ultimately led to her termination.

43. Defendant’s repeated and consistent disparate treatment of Plaintiff, was severe 

and/or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider 

intimidating, hostile or abusive. Defendant’s owner’s and male employees’ conduct was severe 

and pervasive from both a subjective and objective perspective. 

44. Defendant, including its owner and male employees, acted with intentional 

disregard for Plaintiff’s rights as a female protected under Title VII. Defendant, by and through 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 6 of 14
7

its officers, and/or supervisors, authorized, condoned, and/or ratified the unlawful conduct of its 

owner and male employees.

45. Plaintiff is entitled to such affirmative relief as may be appropriate, including, but 

not limited to, lost wages, benefits, and compensation for emotional distress, pursuant to the

provisions of Title VII as a direct result of Defendant's discriminatory actions.

46. Plaintiff, based on information and belief, alleges that Defendant’s actions were 

done with malice, and with disregard for her protected rights under Title VII of the Civil Rights 

Act of 1964. Therefore, Plaintiff is also entitled to punitive damages from Defendant in a sum 

according to proof at trial.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY requests that:

a. The Court grant Plaintiff judgment against Defendant to compensate her for 

past and future pecuniary losses, including injury to her professional 

reputation, and emotional pain and suffering caused by Defendant’s 

discriminatory treatment in an amount to be determined at trial and in 

accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, § 706(g);

b. The Court require Defendant to reinstate Plaintiff to the position at the rate of 

pay and with the full benefits Plaintiff would have had if Plaintiff had not 

been discriminated against by Defendant; or, in lieu of reinstatement, award 

front pay;

c. The Court award Plaintiff the costs of this action, together with her reasonable 

attorneys’ fees incurred herein, pursuant to contract and/or statute; and

d. The Court award Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems 

appropriate.

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 7 of 14
8 

COUNT III: VIOLATION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 

(RETALIATION)

47. Plaintiff re-alleges and re-avers paragraphs 1 – 26 as fully set forth herein. 

48. Plaintiff brings this action for retaliation in violation of Title VII. 

49. Plaintiff experienced discriminatory treatment because Plaintiff is female. 

50. Plaintiff complained about the discriminatory treatment due to her sex. 

51. As a result of Plaintiff’s complaints, Defendant terminated Plaintiff. 

52. Defendant’s reasons for Plaintiff’s termination were pretextual. 

53. Plaintiff’s termination constitutes an adverse employment actions under Title VII. 

54. Defendant’s actions were done with malice, and with disregard for Plaintiff’s

rights under Title VII. Defendant, by and through its officers, and/or supervisors, authorized, 

condoned, and/or ratified the unlawful conduct of its owner, supervisor, and/or other employees. 

Therefore, Plaintiff is also entitled to punitive damages from Defendant in a sum according to 

proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY requests that:

a. The Court grant Plaintiff judgment against Defendant to compensate her for 

past and future pecuniary losses, including injury to her professional 

reputation, and emotional pain and suffering caused by Defendant's 

discriminatory treatment in an amount to be determined at trial and in 

accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, § 706(g); 

b. The Court require Defendant to reinstate Plaintiff to the position at the rate of 

pay and with the full benefits Plaintiff would have had if Plaintiff had not 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 8 of 14
9 

been discriminated against by Defendant; or, in lieu of reinstatement, award 

front pay; 

c. The Court award Plaintiff the costs of this action, together with her reasonable 

attorneys’ fees incurred herein, pursuant to contract and/or statute; and 

d. The Court award Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems 

appropriate. 

COUNT IV: VIOLATION OF FCRA 

(DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SEX) 

55. Plaintiff re-alleges and re-avers paragraphs 1 – 26 as fully set forth herein. 

56. Plaintiff brings this action under the Florida Civil Rights Act (“FCRA”), Fla. 

Stats. § 760.01 et seq., for damages caused by Defendant’s disparate treatment of Plaintiff. 

57. Plaintiff is a member of a protected class, to wit, female. 

58. Plaintiff experienced discriminatory treatment due to her sex. 

59. Defendant treated Plaintiff less favorably than Plaintiff’s male co-workers. 

Specifically, Plaintiff was subjected to frequent derogatory comments, sexist jokes, lower pay, 

withheld bonuses, and disrespectful and hostile treatment due to her sex. 

60. Due to the disparate treatment inflicted on Plaintiff on the basis of her sex, 

Plaintiff was terminated. 

61. Defendant’s reasons for Plaintiff’s termination were pretextual. 

62. Even if Defendant had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons, Plaintiff’s sex 

was, at minimum, a motivating factor in Defendant’s adverse employment decisions. 

63. Even if Defendant had a legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons, Plaintiff’s sex

was, at minimum, a motivating factor in Defendant’s adverse employment decisions. 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 9 of 14
10

64. Defendant acted with intentional disregard for Plaintiff’s rights as a female 

protected under FCRA. Defendant, by and through its officers, and/or supervisors, authorized, 

condoned, and/or ratified the unlawful conduct of its owner and/or other employees.

65. Plaintiff is entitled to such affirmative relief as may be appropriate, including, but 

not limited to, lost wages, benefits, and compensation for emotional distress, pursuant to the 

provisions of FCRA. 

66. Plaintiff, based on information and belief, alleges that Defendant’s actions were 

done with malice, and with disregard for her protected rights under FCRA. Therefore, Plaintiff is 

also entitled to punitive damages from Defendant in a sum according to proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY requests that:

a. The Court grant Plaintiff judgment against Defendant to compensate her for 

past and future pecuniary losses, including injury to her professional 

reputation, and emotional pain and suffering caused by Defendant’s 

discriminatory treatment in an amount to be determined at trial and in 

accordance with the FCRA;

b. The Court require Defendant to reinstate Plaintiff to the position at the rate of 

pay and with the full benefits Plaintiff would have had if Plaintiff had not 

been discriminated against by Defendant; or, in lieu of reinstatement, award 

front pay;

c. The Court award Plaintiff the costs of this action, together with reasonable 

attorneys’ fees incurred herein, pursuant to contract and/or statute; and

d. The Court award Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems 

appropriate. 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 10 of 14
11 

COUNT V: VIOLATION OF FRCA 

(HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT)

67. Plaintiff re-alleges and re-avers paragraphs 1 – 26 as fully set forth herein. 

68. Plaintiff brings this action under FRCA for damages caused by Defendant’s 

unlawful employment practices committed against Plaintiff by allowing and ratifying the 

disparate treatment Defendant’s supervisors inflicted on Plaintiff on the basis of sex. 

69. Plaintiff is a member of a protected class, to wit, female. 

70. Plaintiff was subjected to constant and continual offensive and unwelcomed 

discriminatory conduct from her male co-workers and Wettergren, due to sex. 

71. Male co-workers and Wettergren constantly treated Plaintiff less favorably than 

Plaintiff’s male co-workers. Specifically, Plaintiff was subjected to frequent derogatory 

comments, sexist jokes, lower pay, withheld bonuses, and disrespectful and hostile treatment due 

to her sex which ultimately led to her termination.

72. Defendant’s repeated and consistent disparate treatment of Plaintiff, was severe 

and/or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider 

intimidating, hostile or abusive. Defendant’s owner’s and male employees’ conduct was severe 

and pervasive from both a subjective and objective perspective. 

73. Defendant, including its owner and male employees, acted with intentional 

disregard for Plaintiff’s rights as a female protected under FRCA. Defendant, by and through its 

officers, and/or supervisors, authorized, condoned, and/or ratified the unlawful conduct of its 

owner and male employees.

74. Plaintiff is entitled to such affirmative relief as may be appropriate, including, but 

not limited to, lost wages, benefits, and compensation for emotional distress, pursuant to the 

provisions of FRCA as a direct result of Defendant's discriminatory actions.

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 11 of 14
12 

75. Plaintiff, based on information and belief, alleges that Defendant’s actions were 

done with malice, and with disregard for her protected rights under FRCA. Therefore, Plaintiff is 

also entitled to punitive damages from Defendant in a sum according to proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY requests that:

e. The Court grant Plaintiff judgment against Defendant to compensate her for 

past and future pecuniary losses, including injury to her professional 

reputation, and emotional pain and suffering caused by Defendant’s 

discriminatory treatment in an amount to be determined at trial and in 

accordance with FRCA; 

f. The Court require Defendant to reinstate Plaintiff to the position at the rate of 

pay and with the full benefits Plaintiff would have had if Plaintiff had not 

been discriminated against by Defendant; or, in lieu of reinstatement, award 

front pay; 

g. The Court award Plaintiff the costs of this action, together with her reasonable 

attorneys’ fees incurred herein, pursuant to contract and/or statute; and 

h. The Court award Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems 

appropriate. 

COUNT VI: VIOLATION OF FCRA 

(RETALIATION)

76. Plaintiff re-alleges and re-avers paragraphs 1 – 27 as fully set forth herein. 

77. Plaintiff brings this action for retaliation in violation of FCRA.

78. Plaintiff experienced discriminatory treatment because Plaintiff is female. 

79. Plaintiff complained about the discriminatory treatment due to her sex. 

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 12 of 14
13

80. As a result of Plaintiff’s complaints, Defendant terminated Plaintiff.

81. Defendant’s reasons for Plaintiff’s termination were pretextual. 

82. Plaintiff’s termination constitutes an adverse employment actions under FCRA. 

83. Defendant’s actions were done with malice, and with disregard for Plaintiff’s 

rights under FCRA. Defendant, by and through its officers, and/or supervisors, authorized, 

condoned, and/or ratified the unlawful conduct of its owner, supervisors, and/or other employees. 

Therefore, Plaintiff is also entitled to punitive damages from Defendant in a sum according to 

proof at trial. 

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY requests that:

a. The Court grant Plaintiff judgment against Defendant to compensate her for 

past and future pecuniary losses, including injury to her professional 

reputation, and emotional pain and suffering caused by Defendant's 

discriminatory treatment in an amount to be determined at trial and in 

accordance with the FCRA;

b. The Court require Defendant to reinstate Plaintiff to the position at the rate of 

pay and with the full benefits Plaintiff would have had if Plaintiff had not 

been discriminated against by Defendant; or, in lieu of reinstatement, award 

front pay;

c. The Court award Plaintiff the costs of this action, together with her reasonable 

attorneys’ fees incurred herein, pursuant to contract and/or statute; and

d. The Court award Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court deems 

appropriate.

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 13 of 14
14 

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Plaintiff CARLA BADGLEY hereby demands trial by jury on all issues and all counts of 

this Complaint so triable as a matter of right.

Dated: September 6, 2022. 

LAW OFFICES OF CHARLES EISS, P.L.

 Attorneys for Plaintiff

 7951 SW 6th Street, Suite 112

 Plantation, Florida 33324

 (954) 914-7890 (Office)

 (855) 423-5298 (Facsimile)

 

 By: /s/ Charles M. Eiss 

 CHARLES M. EISS, Esq.

 Fla. Bar #612073

 chuck@icelawfirm.com

SHANNA WALL, Esq. 

Fla. Bar #0051672

 shanna@icelawfirm.com

Case 1:22-cv-22833-XXXX Document 1 Entered on FLSD Docket 09/06/2022 Page 14 of 14