The tea
A former HR director at the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) is being hit with a massive lawsuit involving serious allegations of abuse of power. Ja’Vance Coleman, a 42-year-old former Fresno State basketball player, claims he was subjected to a long, toxic campaign of sexual harassment, racial discrimination, and retaliation by his then-boss, Manjit Atwal.
According to court filings, the situation started shortly after Coleman was hired in 2023. The lawsuit claims Atwal leveraged her position to pressure Coleman for sexual favors, allegedly creating a pattern where she dangled job security to force employees into compliance. When administrators noticed the situation, Coleman was transferred to a different school, which came with a pay cut from $35 to $25 an hour. The suit alleges Atwal tried to "fix" this by paying him off the books and using her personal Target card to cover his lost income—all to keep her husband in the dark.
The fallout
When Coleman finally shut down her advances in late 2025, things reportedly took a dark turn. He alleges Atwal began harassing his family, even showing up at his mother's house and threatening his son's future in sports and education if the relationship was ever revealed. Other claims include Atwal allegedly sending him an article about a historical lynching and falsely accusing him of stealing her jewelry. Former employees are now coming forward to echo these claims of toxic behavior.
Atwal was eventually placed on extended paid leave before being told she would be fired if she didn’t resign, and she is no longer employed by the district.
Why it matters
This isn't just workplace drama; it’s a serious legal battle questioning how much FUSD leadership knew about the environment Atwal allegedly created. For you, it’s a reminder that “main character energy” in a boss is a massive red flag—if your workplace doesn’t feel safe, document everything and don’t be afraid to speak up.
