Quick Answer: A pregnancy discrimination lawsuit was filed against National Debt Relief LLC in New Jersey federal court. The complaint alleges a sales employee was placed on a performance improvement plan three days after announcing her pregnancy, then fired one day before the plan expired. This is a legal filing—not a verdict.
Important: A lawsuit filing contains allegations—claims that have not been proven in court. National Debt Relief has not been found liable for any wrongdoing. This article summarizes the complaint for educational purposes.
Case Information
- Court: U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey (removed from Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County)
- Plaintiff: Sanaiya Carlton
- Defendants: National Debt Relief LLC, Anwar Gibriel (Regional Sales Manager), Tyshawn Boyce (Team Supervisor), Anthony Bilardi (Conference Manager), Stephanie Torres (HR Representative)
- Claims: New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) — pregnancy discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation
The Story Behind This Lawsuit
According to the complaint, Sanaiya Carlton began working for National Debt Relief on or about March 1, 2023, as an Account Executive and Debt Specialist in the company’s sales department. The complaint alleges she performed competently and received a performance-based raise in January 2025.
The timeline described in the complaint is notable for its pace:
- September 5, 2025: Carlton allegedly emailed her manager and HR to announce she was pregnant, with an estimated due date of March 22, 2026. According to the complaint, she received no response.
- September 8, 2025 (3 days later): The complaint alleges Carlton was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) by her manager and regional sales manager, purportedly based on the prior two months of performance.
- September 10, 2025 (5 days after announcement): According to the complaint, a Benefits & Wellness Specialist incorrectly told Carlton her due date was in October and advised her to file FMLA paperwork. Carlton’s actual due date was March 2026—five months later.
- September 29, 2025 (1 day before PIP expired): The complaint alleges Carlton was terminated during a call with an HR representative and a conference manager.
The PIP and Its Metrics
The complaint alleges the PIP was based on inaccurate performance data. Specifically, it claims the metrics included days Carlton had not worked and that absences were counted against her performance calculations. According to the complaint, Carlton raised these inaccuracies immediately and explained the metrics were flawed.
The Termination
According to the complaint, during the September 29 termination call, National Debt Relief representatives stated Carlton had allegedly used profanity during a client call on August 10, 2025, and claimed an email had been sent to her about the incident. The complaint alleges Carlton never received such an email, was unaware of its contents, and was denied access to written documentation or the audio recording when she requested both.
The Daily Money Brief — Free, at 10 AM
Money you may be owed, scams to dodge, and the fine print decoded — the consumer money news that affects your wallet, every weekday.
The complaint further alleges that when Carlton objected that the actions taken against her were discriminatory based on her pregnancy, the HR representative and conference manager on the call did not directly address her discrimination complaint.
What the Complaint Alleges
The lawsuit brings two counts under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD):
Count One
- Disparate treatment based on pregnancy and/or gender
- Hostile work environment discrimination
- Failure to maintain effective anti-discrimination policies
Count Two
- Retaliation for requesting pregnancy-related leave
- Retaliation for complaining about discrimination
- Improper reprisal under NJLAD
The complaint seeks reinstatement, back pay and benefits, front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and various forms of injunctive relief including mandatory anti-discrimination training.
Who Is National Debt Relief?
National Debt Relief LLC is a New York-based debt settlement company with its principal place of business at 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038. The company provides debt resolution services to consumers. Four individual employees are also named as defendants in their individual capacities.
Note: This is the second federal lawsuit filed against National Debt Relief in early 2026. A separate TCPA class action (Case 2:26-cv-00349) was filed in the Central District of California in January 2026, alleging illegal robocalls. That case involves completely different claims and plaintiffs.
What This Could Mean for Consumers
This lawsuit involves employment discrimination claims, not consumer fraud allegations. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination is one of the strongest state anti-discrimination laws in the country, protecting employees from adverse employment actions based on pregnancy, among other protected characteristics.
Under the NJLAD, it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee because of pregnancy or to retaliate against an employee for requesting pregnancy-related leave or complaining about discriminatory treatment.
For consumers considering any debt relief company, employment lawsuits are one data point among many. They do not necessarily reflect how a company treats its customers.
Before You Sign Anything: If you’re considering hiring any debt relief company, run their contract through the Contract Decoder first. It’s free—and it’s your last chance to spot red flags before you commit.
How to Follow This Case
Track this case and read all court filings through PACER:
- Go to pacer.uscourts.gov
- Create a free account (required)
- Search for Case Number:
2:26-cv-00944-WJM-JBC - Select Court: District of New Jersey
PACER charges $0.10/page, but the first $30/quarter is free for most users.
Sources
- CourtListener — Docket and complaint filing for Carlton v. National Debt Relief LLC
- Complaint PDF (PACER/RECAP) — Full text of the complaint filed December 30, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this lawsuit mean for National Debt Relief customers?
This is an employment discrimination case, not a consumer protection case. It involves allegations about how the company treated an employee, not how it treats customers. The case does not directly affect customer accounts or services.
Is National Debt Relief a scam?
This lawsuit contains employment-related allegations that have not been proven. An employment discrimination claim does not indicate whether a company’s consumer services are legitimate. Monitor the case for developments and evaluate any debt relief company based on your own research.
Has National Debt Relief responded to this lawsuit?
As of this writing, the case was recently removed from state court to federal court. I will update this post as significant developments occur, including any response from National Debt Relief.
What is the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination?
The NJLAD is one of the broadest state anti-discrimination statutes in the United States. It prohibits employment discrimination based on pregnancy, gender, race, and other protected characteristics. It also prohibits retaliation against employees who oppose discriminatory practices.
Contact National Debt Relief Directly
If you have questions about this lawsuit or are a current customer of National Debt Relief, I encourage you to contact them directly rather than jump to conclusions based on allegations alone:
- Website: nationaldebtrelief.com
- Address: 180 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
A Note to National Debt Relief: I believe in fair coverage. If you would like to provide a statement about this lawsuit for my readers, please contact me. I will add your response to this article so readers can hear your perspective.
TL;DR: National Debt Relief faces a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit filed by a former employee in New Jersey. The complaint alleges she was placed on a performance improvement plan three days after announcing her pregnancy and fired one day before the plan expired. This is a complaint filing—allegations, not a verdict. Don’t leap to judgment—contact the company directly with questions. Use the Contract Decoder before signing with any debt relief company.
(Source: CourtListener / U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey)
Dealing With Debt? Understanding your options is the first step. See how all your debt relief options compare — including ones most sites won’t tell you about. The Find Your Path quiz gives a recommendation based on your actual numbers, and the Scam-O-Meter checks any company’s complaint history before you sign. Federal Reserve research shows bankruptcy filers recover faster than those who don’t file.
