Tuesday Morning faces discrimination suit from former CEO

DALLAS — Kathleen Mason, former CEO of Tuesday Morning, has filed a lawsuit against her ex-employer in Dallas District Court claiming discrimination. Mason, who was fired last June, alleges that Tuesday Morning mistreated and then terminated her within months after learning she was suffering from breast cancer.

"Kathleen Mason did more than any employee in Tuesday Morning's history to promote the company and make sure it was financially strong, but she ended up getting fired over the phone soon after telling board members that she was battling breast cancer. Our hope is that this lawsuit will hold Tuesday Morning accountable for discriminating against Kathleen based on assumptions about her ability to do her job despite her demonstrated effective leadership,” said Mason’s attorney Rogge Dunn of Clouse Dunn LLP.

Mason had previously filed a discrimination claim with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. Tuesday Morning has not yet publicly commented on the suit or her allegations. She was replaced by Brady Churches, who resigned from the position just six months later. The company then appointed former Michaels Stores president and CEO Michael Rouleau as interim CEO.

Rouleau has been managing the company's day-to-day operations and will be charged with doing so until the retailer retains a new CEO. He also remains on the company's board of directors, which he joined in November 2012. Meanwhile Churches has remained with the company in a consultative capacity.