Six flags great adventure wins key court ruling in wild safari discrimination lawsuit

A federal judge dismissed several claims in a lawsuit filed by two longtime Six Flags Great Adventure Safari employees who allege they were pushed out because of their age, narrowing the case but allowing the core discrimination claims to continue.

Jackson Township, NJ – A federal judge has handed Six Flags Great Adventure a partial victory in an employment lawsuit brought by two longtime Safari employees who claim they were terminated because of their age.

In a memorandum opinion issued June 22, U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp granted Six Flags Great Adventure LLC’s motion to dismiss several common-law claims asserted by former employees Rubina Kelley and Rhonda Rutan, while leaving their age discrimination claims under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) intact.

Former Safari employees allege age discrimination

According to the lawsuit, Kelley worked at Six Flags Great Adventure for more than 43 years and served as Safari Warden before her termination in March 2024. Rutan, who worked at the park for more than 18 years as the Safari Department’s Mega Vertebra Curator, was terminated in March 2025. Both women allege the company cited “improper behavior” as the reason for firing them.

The complaint alleges Kelley was repeatedly questioned by managers about when she planned to retire and that Rutan was subjected to demeaning treatment, including being yelled at, insulted in front of coworkers and asked whether she was “going through menopause” after requesting the air conditioning be turned on during a staff meeting. The lawsuit claims a younger male employee assumed many of Kelley’s duties after her termination.

Judge narrows lawsuit

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Judge Shipp dismissed the plaintiffs’ negligence, breach of contract, wrongful discharge and related common-law claims, concluding they were preempted by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination because they were based on the same alleged discriminatory conduct.

The ruling does not dispose of the entire lawsuit. The plaintiffs’ age discrimination and hostile work environment claims under the NJLAD remain pending, meaning the litigation will continue on those allegations.

The court’s opinion addresses only the legal sufficiency of certain claims and does not determine whether Six Flags engaged in unlawful discrimination.

Key Points

A federal judge dismissed several claims in an age discrimination lawsuit against Six Flags Great Adventure.
Two longtime Safari employees allege they were fired because of their age and subjected to discriminatory treatment.
The lawsuit’s core age discrimination and hostile work environment claims remain pending.

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