PIMCO spokesman Michael Reid confirmed in an interview that Mr. Dowtin left the firm but declined to say whether he was dismissed.
“As a matter of policy, every employee who works at PIMCO is expected to abide by the firm’s code of business conduct, performance standards, core values and requirement to act professionally with colleagues, regardless of whether or not they are engaged in litigation against the firm,” said a PIMCO statement provided by Mr. Reid.
A court filing alleged that Mr. Dowtin’s superiors “discriminated against (Mr.) Dowtin based on his race in terms and conditions of employment, including refusing to consider him for timely promotion.”
Mr. Dowtin, who is Black, could not be reached for comment.
The suit originally was filed by Ms. Abrolat in November 2020 in California Superior Court in Santa Ana, on behalf of two women who alleged gender and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation at PIMCO.
There now are five plaintiffs in the suit, which focuses on violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act and other claims.
The amended complaint seeks to also add Mr. Dowtin; Patrick Kim, a project manager; and Andrea Martin Inokon, formerly senior counsel, who was terminated in February 2021.
“We will be adding to our lawsuit allegation that PIMCO violated its own policy and the law by terminating Mr. Dowtin as a direct result of his reports of race discrimination and retaliation. Mr. Dowtin, a strong performer and excellent employee for over nine years, has always been in good standing, but as soon as he brought forward claims of race discrimination and retaliation, PIMCO immediately issued a written warning for using ‘poor judgment’ and then shortly thereafter, summarily terminated him on false reasons,” Ms. Abrolat said in her email.
PIMCO has $2.2 trillion of assets under management as of Sept. 30.
