EEOC Sues New York Times for Race and Sex Discrimination; Signature Includes Lawyer Known for Fighting Cases Against Men

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against the New York Times on behalf of a white male employee alleging discrimination based on race and sex. The action, signed by the agency's acting general counsel, deputy general counsel, and Assistant General Counsel Benjamin North, marks a notable case for an agency traditionally associated with protecting minority and female workers under the Civil Rights Act framework.

North's involvement has drawn internal scrutiny. Records indicate he was hired earlier this year as assistant general counsel at EEOC. Prior to his federal appointment, North publicly championed legal efforts arguing that Title IX, the federal law prohibiting gender discrimination at funded institutions, has been used to disadvantage men. As a college student, North faced suspension following a rape allegation, a case he claimed violated his civil rights and consistently denied. These details, reported earlier by The Intercept, have resurfaced given his role in the current lawsuit.

The filing raises questions about the agency's litigation priorities under its current leadership. EEOC historically focused on expanding protections for historically marginalized groups, though its mandate technically covers all workers. Legal observers note the case could set precedent for how the agency approaches discrimination claims that run counter to its conventional enforcement patterns. The New York Times has not publicly responded to the lawsuit, and the specifics of the underlying employment dispute remain central to the case's merit.