Case information
2:26-cv-00944Case number
December 30, 2025Originally submitted
NJLADPregnancy discrimination
- Court: US District Court, District of New Jersey (removed from Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County)
- Plaintiff: Sanaiya Carlton
- Defendants: National Debt Relief LLC, Anwar Gibriel (Regional Sales Manager), Tyshawn Boyce (Team Supervisor), Anthony Bilardi (Conference Manager), Stephanie Torres (HR Representative)
- Claims: New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) – pregnancy discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation
The story behind this lawsuit
According to the complaint, Sanaiya Carlton began working for National Debt Relief on or about March 1, 2023, as an account manager and debt specialist in the company’s sales department. According to the complaint, she performed competently and received a performance increase in January 2025.
The timeline described in the complaint is notable for its pace:
- September 5, 2025: Carlton allegedly emailed her manager and HR to announce she was pregnant, with an estimated due date of March 22, 2026. She received no response, according to the complaint.
- September 8, 2025 (3 days later): The complaint alleges that Carlton was imposed a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) by its manager and regional sales manager, allegedly based on the previous two months’ performance.
- September 10, 2025 (5 days after announcement): According to the complaint, a Benefit & Wellness Specialist falsely told Carlton that her due date was in October and advised her to file FMLA paperwork. Carlton’s actual due date was March 2026, five months later.
- September 29, 2025 (1 day before PIP expired): The complaint alleges that Carlton was terminated during a conversation with an HR representative and a conference manager.
The PIP and its statistics
The complaint alleges that the PIP was based on inaccurate performance data. Specifically, the company claims that the statistics included days when Carlton had not worked and absences were counted in her performance calculations. According to the complaint, Carlton immediately raised these inaccuracies and explained that the statistics were flawed.
The termination
According to the complaint, during the September 29 termination call, National Debt Relief representatives stated that Carlton allegedly used profanity during a customer call on August 10, 2025, and claimed that an email was sent to her about the incident. The complaint alleges that Carlton never received such an email, was unaware of its contents, and was denied access to written documentation or the audio recording when she requested both.
The complaint further alleges that when Carlton objected that the actions taken against her were discriminatory based on her pregnancy, the HR representative and conference manager did not directly address her discrimination complaint on the phone call.
What the complaint alleges
The lawsuit carries two charges under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD):
Count one
- Disparate treatment based on pregnancy and/or gender
- Hostile discrimination in the work environment
- The inability to enforce effective anti-discrimination policies
Count two
- Retaliation for requesting maternity leave
- Retaliation for complaining about discrimination
- Improper Retaliation under NJLAD
The complaint seeks reinstatement, back wages and benefits, advances, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and various forms of injunctive relief, including mandatory anti-discrimination training.
Who is national debt relief?
National Debt Relief LLC is a New York-based debt settlement company, headquartered at 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038. The company provides debt settlement services to consumers. In addition, four individual employees are named as defendants in their individual capacities.
Remark: This is the second federal lawsuit filed against National Debt Relief in early 2026. In January 2026, a separate TCPA class action (Case 2:26-cv-00349) was filed in the Central District of California alleging unlawful robocalls. This case involves completely different claims and plaintiffs.
What this could mean for consumers
This lawsuit involves employment discrimination claims, not consumer fraud allegations. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination is one of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country and protects employees from adverse employment actions based on pregnancy, among other protected characteristics.
Under the NJLAD, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of pregnancy or to retaliate against an employee who requests maternity leave or complains of discriminatory treatment.
For consumers considering a debt relief company, employment lawsuits are one of many data points. They do not necessarily reflect how a company treats its customers.
Before you sign anything: If you are considering hiring a debt relief company, first run their contract through the Contract Decoder. It’s free and it’s your last chance to spot warning signs before you commit.
How to follow this case
Follow this case and read all court files via PACER:
- Go to pacer.uscourts.gov
- Create a free account (required)
- Search for case number:
2:26-cv-00944-WJM-JBC - Select court: District of New Jersey
PACER charges $0.10/page, but the first $30/quarter is free for most users.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What does this lawsuit mean for National Debt Assistance customers?
This is an employment discrimination case, not a consumer protection case. These are allegations about how the company treated an employee, not how it treats customers. The case does not directly impact customer accounts or services.
Is government debt relief a scam?
This lawsuit contains employment-related allegations that have not been proven. An employment discrimination claim does not indicate whether a company’s consumer services are legitimate. Keep an eye on developments and evaluate each debt relief company based on your own research.
Has National Debt Relief responded to this lawsuit?
As of this writing, the case has recently been transferred from state court to federal court. I will update this post as significant developments occur, including any responses from National Debt Relief.
What is New Jersey’s law against discrimination?
The NJLAD is one of the broadest anti-discrimination statutes in the United States. It prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of pregnancy, gender, race and other protected characteristics. It also prohibits retaliation against employees who oppose discriminatory practices.
Contact National Debt Relief immediately
If you have any questions about this lawsuit or are a current National Debt Relief customer, I encourage you to contact them directly rather than jumping to conclusions based on accusations alone:
A note on national debt relief: I believe in fair coverage. If you would like to make a statement regarding this lawsuit to my readers, please contact me. I will add your response to this article so readers can hear your perspective.
TL; DR: National Debt Relief is facing a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee in New Jersey. The complaint alleges that she was placed on a performance improvement plan three days after announcing her pregnancy and fired a day before the plan expired. This is a complaint filing – accusations, not a verdict. Don’t judge and contact the company directly if you have any questions. Use the Contract Decoder before signing with a debt counselor.
(Source: CourtListener / US District Court, District of New Jersey)
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