Prominent Lafayette banker sues MidSouth for sex discrimination

A prominent Lafayette banker has filed a federal lawsuit against her former employer, MidSouth Bank, alleging sex discrimination and violations of the Family Medical Leave Act. Karen Hail, who served as senior executive vice president and has been with MidSouth since it opened in 1984, claims she was passed over for bank president last year without even being given an interview after she applied for the position. MidSouth Bank and MidSouth Bancorp are named as defendants in the lawsuit Hail filed Monday in federal court. Hail, 57, has been recognized nationally during her 40-year banking career. She was selected as one of the nation’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking by U.S. Banker magazine, and the publication also named her to the list of “Women to Watch” from 2005-08. Hail also filed a sex discrimination charge last month with the Louisiana Commission on Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and that complaint is pending. The lawsuit alleges that Hail was placed on administrative leave in 2009 after filing for medical leave under the FMLA, but before the paperwork was done, she was barred from her e-mail accounts and ordered to leave the bank premises. The lawsuit says that MidSouth President Rusty Cloutier would not meet with her and that he has retaliated against her since then. After complaining of gender discrimination, Hail alleges, her employment contract was not renewed and she was not renominated for her position on the board of directors. Reached Tuesday afternoon, Cloutier declined to comment. “Our attorneys have advised us not to say anything,” he says. “This will all be heard in court.” The president’s position Hail sought was changed to chief operating officer, Hail’s former position, and it was given to Jerry Reaux. The lawsuit seeks unspecified bank pay with interest, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. For the rest of 10/12 Corridor Weekly, click here.