Settlement Reached in NJ Maternity Leave Lawsuit

A mortgage company will pay a northwestern New Jersey woman $30,000 to settle allegations she was denied an application to refinance her condo because she was on maternity leave.

The state Division on Civil Rights announced the settlement was reached Tuesday.

Taryn Benacquista of Hamburg had claimed that Texas-based Nationstar Mortgage conditionally approved her application, but later denied it when she could not produce enough paystubs.

She was initially approached by the company to refinance in March 2011 and told an employee she intended to return to work in May 2011.

The company has said Benacquista withdrew her application.

Under the settlement agreement, Nationstar Mortgage will admit no liability.

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