District Court Finds Discrimination Claim Under MCAD Investigation ERISA-Preempted

On June 25, 2007, a Massachusetts federal district court found that the federal employee benefit statute (Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. §1001 et seq.,) preempts a state-law charge of alleged reverse sexual orientation discrimination against Partners Healthcare System, Inc. (Partners), under investigation by the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination (MCAD). Partners Healthcare System, Inc. v. Walter Sullivan et al, USDC C.A. No. 06-11436-JLT (D. MA, June 25, 2007).