Federal agency sues Ohio-based Catholic health system over alleged antisemitism

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Bon Secours Mercy Health and its subsidiary, Mercy Health Physicians Youngstown, for allegedly discriminating against a Jewish orthopedic surgeon. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division, claims the health system fired Dr. Ian Walton based on his religion and race.

According to the EEOC, Dr. Walton had a successful practice and met productivity goals for many years. The agency alleges that Walton faced regular antisemitic remarks and hostility, which increased following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel. The suit states that the work environment became filled with disparaging comments, including criticisms of Jewish people regarding the conflict in Gaza and claims that the attacks were the fault of Jewish people.