Complaint details claims of harsh discipline, denied promotions, and ignored grievances at WAPA TV
A Puerto Rico news reporter is suing WAPA TV, claiming she was fired after repeatedly raising the alarm about gender discrimination and retaliation in the newsroom.
Reina Mateo Alvarado, a veteran journalist, filed her complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico on October 9, 2025. She alleges that Televicentro of Puerto Rico, LLC—operator of WAPA TV Channel 4—engaged in a pattern of discriminatory and retaliatory practices that culminated in her abrupt dismissal in December 2024. The lawsuit, which also names Axis Insurance Company and unidentified insurers as defendants, seeks at least $600,000 in damages, reinstatement, and a jury trial.
Mateo began her career at Televicentro in June 2018, initially covering a colleague’s maternity leave before being promoted to Production Assistant and later to News Reporter in July 2021. According to the complaint, her troubles escalated after she and other female colleagues were passed over for anchor positions or denied advancement opportunities. Mateo alleges she was told by a supervisor that she was “too young, too girly” to be paired with a male anchor, and that her appearance would make her colleague look “too much older.” The position was eventually given to an older female reporter.
The complaint outlines a series of incidents in which Mateo claims she was disciplined more harshly than male colleagues for similar conduct. For example, after a technical error resulted in an expletive being aired, Mateo was suspended without pay for three days, while a male photojournalist involved in a similar incident received only a written memorandum that was later removed from his file. Mateo also alleges she was excluded from promotional opportunities, denied a parking space that was routinely given to male reporters with less seniority, and subjected to disparaging comments about her appearance and weight.
Mateo claims that her repeated complaints to supervisors and Human Resources about these issues were either ignored or met with further retaliation. She alleges that her on-air presence was limited, her advancement opportunities were blocked, and that she was ultimately terminated without written or verbal warning on December 27, 2024. The stated reason for her dismissal was “various recent incidents that affected the airing of the program,” but Mateo contends that these were pretexts for retaliation after she engaged in statutorily protected activities, including filing complaints about workplace discrimination.
The complaint further alleges that WAPA TV failed to follow mandatory union procedures and did not conduct proper investigations into her grievances. Mateo asserts that other employees who complained about their working conditions were also subject to retaliation, including changes in work schedules and other penalties, while male colleagues accused of similar or more serious infractions faced little or no discipline.
Axis Insurance Company and ABC Insurance Companies are named as defendants because, according to the complaint, their insurance policies were in effect and cover the liabilities and/or unlawful acts allegedly committed by WAPA TV. Mateo is seeking compensatory damages, including back pay and front pay, in an amount not less than $600,000, double compensatory damages under Puerto Rico Acts Nos. 115, 100, and 69, reinstatement to her prior job position, costs, attorney fees, and a trial by jury.
As of the filing date, these are allegations only. WAPA TV and the other defendants have not yet responded in court. The case underscores the risks for employers and HR professionals when workplace discrimination and retaliation claims are not properly addressed, especially in high-profile organizations. For HR leaders, the complaint serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fair investigations, consistent discipline, and robust anti-discrimination policies.
