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A former Fannie Mae data scientist manager says the company recently fired him shortly after he requested leave following a house fire.
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William Bowser sued his former employer Sunday for violating labor laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, over his termination last month. The professional is also seeking unspecified back pay and front pay, but isn’t seeking to be rehired by Fannie, according to the complaint.
Although brief, it’s the second discrimination lawsuit filed against Fannie in federal court this year. Dozens of other terminated workers sued the government-sponsored enterprise this summer, accusing the company of wrongfully terminating them over an alleged fraudulent scheme.
Bowser on Linkedin describes his former role as leading fintech product research and innovation. An attorney for Bowser in an email Tuesday declined to provide further comment, but said he and his client are looking forward to resolving the matter in court.
Fannie Mae’s alleged wrongful termination
The lawsuit focuses on events beginning October 30, when Bowser said a house fire destroyed his property and killed his pet. The plaintiff immediately requested time off, which he had saved, and requested short-term disability and job-protected medical leave on Nov. 6.
Bowser, who said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, claims Fannie Mae’s third party claims and leave administrator Sedgwick acknowledged his request that evening. The following Monday, he received an email instructing him to work from home and to join a Google Teams meeting that morning for “Fannie Mae Business Updates.”
In the meeting, an unspecified person told Bowser he was being terminated effective Nov. 21.
“No reason was given for said termination, but the reason was very obviously related to plaintiff’s newly acquired disability and his related protected activity involving leave requests,” the complaint said.
A summons was issued to Fannie Mae Tuesday.
Scrutiny over the GSE’s personnel moves
The regulator, under the purview of U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, has come under fire for various personnel moves this year.
Sixty-five former Fannie Mae workers sued the company in July, arguing the company did not provide a reason for their sudden termination other than a thin accusation of fraudulent donation activity. Pulte publicly announced their termination in April, but the FHFA has not since provided additional details over the alleged scheme.
While 21 of those plaintiffs agreed to proceed to arbitration in September, 44 plaintiffs are still fighting Fannie Mae’s attempts to compel arbitration, according to the latest court filings.
Lawmakers also pressed Pulte earlier this year for his rapid reshaping of the GSEs’ boards of directors, including placing himself as chairman of both Fannie and Freddie Mac. The FHFA’s inspector general was also reportedly ousted last month, amid another recent round of layoffs for roles including those related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
