CRANBERRY TWP — An Allegheny County woman sued Cranberry-based Rue21, claiming the clothing retailer illegally discriminated against her due to her pregnancy.

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Angela Ferguson, of South Fayette, Allegheny County, claimed Rue21 has a “continued pattern and practice of targeting female, pregnant employees” and alleged she was passed over for a promotion, laid off and eventually fired after taking maternity leave.

Amy Williamson, an attorney representing Ferguson, did not immediately return a request for comment.

According to the complaint, Ferguson worked for Rue21 for nearly four years as the “senior buyer of the juniors and guys jewelry and fashion accessories.” She alleges that, despite receiving a positive performance review and a promotion recommendation in December 2019, she was passed over for a promotion shortly after she informed Rue21 of her pregnancy and was approved for maternity leave in January 2020.

Further, the lawsuit claims, Ferguson was furloughed in March, and in June was terminated “for stated reasons relating to cost-cutting efforts.” Ferguson alleges she was fired despite Rue21 “retaining her lower performing peers.”

Ferguson further alleges Rue21 filled her role with a new employee who was not pregnant and who had not recently given birth.

In the complaint, Ferguson seeks the reinstatement of her role at Rue21 along with backpay, compensation for lost benefits and punitive damages, and an injunction prohibiting the company from future discrimination or retaliation against Ferguson. The lawsuit does not specify a dollar amount sought.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Rue21 values diversity in its workforce and strives to ensure that all of its employees are treated fairly and lawfully. We are confident that the facts will prove that Ms. Ferguson's claim of discrimination lacks merit.”