Janette Busby, a former employee of a financial planning company, has filed a lawsuit alleging age and disability discrimination. The complaint was filed on January 27, 2026, in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, against Edward Jones Company and individual defendant Jerry Newman. Busby claims she faced discrimination due to her age and medical condition while working at the company’s Sacramento office.
The plaintiff, Janette Busby, began her employment with Edward Jones in 1999 as a branch administrator and eventually became a Senior Branch Office Administrator by 2015. In 2025, at the age of 68, Busby alleges that she experienced cognitive impairment due to medication but was still able to perform her job duties with appropriate accommodations. Despite this, she claims that her supervisor Jerry Newman spread false information about her impending retirement to clients, creating a hostile work environment. Additionally, new supervisors Michael Blair and Joseph Ostrander were critical of her performance following the implementation of new software systems at the company.
Busby’s complaint outlines several causes of action including breach of California Government Code §12900 for disability discrimination and age discrimination. She argues that Edward Jones failed to provide reasonable accommodation for her medical condition and retaliated against her for opposing unlawful practices. The lawsuit also accuses the defendants of failing to prevent harassment and retaliation in violation of California law.
In seeking relief from the court, Busby requests general damages exceeding jurisdictional limits, exemplary damages to punish the defendants’ conduct, attorney’s fees under applicable statutes like FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act), costs related to litigation efforts thus far incurred by herself or through representation thereof; pre-judgment/post-judgment interest rates where applicable alongside injunctive relief aimed towards preventing further discriminatory actions based upon physical disabilities moving forward.
Representing Janette Busby are attorneys Mark P. Velez and Natalya Grunwald from The Velez Law Firm PC located in Roseville CA., while Judge L Stewart is presiding over Case No.: 2B OO1 Se?. Defendants include Edward Jones Company along with individuals named such as Jerry Newman who played significant roles throughout this case history leading up until its current status within court proceedings today.
Source: 26CV001867_Janette_Busby_v_Edward_Jones_Company_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
