A former head of a prestigious Los Angeles art museum fired an employee because he was an “old white man,” a lawsuit alleges.
Alysa Gerlach allegedly ordered former human resources director Darron Rezell Walker to fire Rick Mitchell, 65, because she didn’t like him, his age and his race, according to a lawsuit.
Walker filed a lawsuit accusing Gerlach of firing him after failing to find sufficient cause to fire Mitchell, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Mitchell then filed his own $10 million lawsuit days later, alleging that Gerlach fired him because of his age and “racial hatred.”
Walker’s lawsuit says Gerlach fabricated reasons to fire Mitchell after ordering an investigation into his behavior that found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Walker claims that Gerlach, who is of Latin descent, was immediately hostile to Mitchell when she was hired in 2022.
He allegedly said he had spent his entire life working in “a white man’s world” and didn’t want “an old white man” running the facilities team.
Gerlach is also said to have pledged to transform his staff with “new eyes” and “fresh blood.”
Mitchell was a veteran Broad employee who worked at the museum from January 2015, nine months before it opened, until he was fired in April 2024.
The former director of operations at Los Angeles’ iconic The Broad museum, Alysa Gerlach, has been accused of firing an employee because he was old, white and male.
Rick Mitchell, 65, says Gerlach fired him because of his age and “racial hatred.”
The museum houses more than 2,000 contemporary and post-war works of art.
Mitchell’s lawsuit claims that the museum’s late founder, Eli Broad, quickly promoted him from chief engineer to facilities director.
It also cites several glowing performance reviews, including one from 2020 that says Mitchell ‘is an excellent leader of his team, genuinely cares about them, and continues to ask them to challenge themselves with new projects.’ He is a respectful and trustworthy collaborator and has excellent team relations.’
Mitchell’s lawsuit accuses Broad of failing to prevent retaliation against him.
That accusation centers on a staff listening session that Gerlach organized that she said would be a “safe space” for workers to share their concerns.
Mitchell stood up to say some of his workers had health and safety concerns after they were asked to lift heavy equipment even though that role was not part of their job description.
He says that four days after raising the issue, he was suspended and accused of making “derogatory, offensive and inappropriate” comments.
Gerlach allegedly said that Mitchell was a ‘misogynist, that she ‘hated him’ and was ‘trying to find a way to fire him.’
While he ordered Walker to conduct an investigation into Mitchell, the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing.
However, Gerlach allegedly not only fired Mitchell anyway, but he also fired Walker for opposing his firing.
Mitchell’s lawsuit claims that the museum’s founder, Eli Broad, quickly promoted him from chief engineer to facilities director.
Angela Bassett and Jay-Z attend the Broad Museum’s celebration for the opening of the art exhibition Soul Of A Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983 in 2019
The museum houses more than 2,000 contemporary and postwar works of art, according to the LA Times.
It was created by Eli Broad, a self-made billionaire and philanthropist determined to share his incredible collection of modern art with the world.
His management has claimed that Michell and Walker’s claims are unfounded and appears to support Gerlach.
“The Broad stands by its business and personnel decisions and our strong anti-harassment and discrimination policies,” the Broad said in a statement to the LA Times.
‘The alleged allegations are completely baseless and we will vigorously defend these matters in court. In the meantime, and as always, the entire Broad team is focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive space where everyone feels safe, respected and belonging.’
Gerlach no longer works at the Broad.
The circumstances surrounding his departure are unclear and he is not currently listed on his LinkedIn profile as having a new job.