Hub Intakes

• Civil Rights
• Employment Law

• Myself

I was employed in Illinois by a gaming parlor owned by Jeff Rehberger (LLC structure, no board of directors), where I was promised a promotion to District Manager at $82,500 annually, a position I never received despite being led on for over a year.

Based on events that occurred before, during, and after my employment, I believe the following laws were violated:

1. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – Sex Discrimination (Nepotism)
The employer hired and promoted the owner's son over me, despite written company policies against nepotism. I was misled and ultimately denied a promised role in favor of a male family member, despite having more experience and tenure. I believe this qualifies as sex-based discrimination connected to favoritism and policy violations.

2. Title VII – Retaliation
After I voiced concerns about unfair treatment, including discriminatory promotion practices and unpaid work, I was ghosted, excluded, overworked, and eventually driven out. My schedule was intentionally mismanaged to cause conflict, ultimately forcing me to step down from a lead role. I believe this was intentional retaliation for speaking up.

3. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) – Off-the-Clock Work
I was required to perform job duties while off the clock — including collections calls and scheduling responsibilities — without compensation. This included tasks that were outside my job description and expected to be completed on my personal time.

4. Fraudulent Inducement / Promissory Estoppel (State Law)
The employer made repeated verbal and written assurances of promotion and salary increases to induce my continued labor and loyalty. These promises were never fulfilled, and I have written communication from the employer’s attorney confirming those promises were made. I remained under this belief while accepting increased responsibility and sacrificing income from my other job.

5. Wrongful Constructive Discharge
The hostile and retaliatory work environment, combined with bait-and-switch tactics and unjustified exclusion, left me no reasonable option but to resign from the lead role. The toxic conditions were created directly in response to my prior complaints and refusal to remain silent.

6. Illinois Liquor Control Act Violations
Management had me complete fingerprints and state paperwork so they could place my name on the liquor license under false pretenses tied to the promised promotion. I believe this constitutes misuse of a licensee of record and potential fraud on state regulators.

I have formally filed two charges with the EEOC. The first resulted in a Right-to-Sue letter, which I now possess. After submitting additional evidence (including the written attorney admission and the nepotism policy), the EEOC directed me to file a second charge, which I have done. I am awaiting further action on that claim.

To date, I have:

Provided the EEOC with the company’s nepotism policy

Submitted a written admission from the employer’s legal counsel confirming a promotion promise

Maintained a detailed log of events, communications, dates, and supporting documents

Suffered financial damages, lost income, emotional stress, and reputational harm

I’m currently seeking an attorney with experience in employment law who is willing to take on this case, potentially including federal claims and litigation. I am within my Right-to-Sue window and am prepared to move forward quickly.

Please let me know if you would be available for a consultation, or if your firm can direct me to someone who handles these types of cases. Thank you for your time and consideration.