Kumar's "at-will employment was terminated by the NJSDA for cause on March 6, 2020, following a lengthy internal investigation which substantiated multiple violations of NJSDA policies and procedures," wrote Jennifer R. O’Connor and Michael J. Shortt, attorneys from the Saiber law firm representing the authority. "The complaint ignores this fact, instead broadly alleging that plaintiff’s termination resulted from discrimination and retaliation based on her race and/or ethnicity," they wrote. An attorney for Kumar did not comment on the state's filing. The legal battle with Kumar is among several the authority is fighting after the Trenton bureau of the USA TODAY Network Atlantic Group uncovered improper hiring by the former CEO named by Gov. Phil Murphy. She resigned last year, and multiple investigations confirmed the Network's reporting that the authority hired about 30 people close to her, many of them lacking qualifications.