Associated Press, "Lawsuit claims Smith Barney discriminates against women"

          Four female financial consultants sued Citigroup Inc.'s Smith Barney division on Thursday, accusing the brokerage firm of systematically denying equal opportunities to its women employees. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court, seeks class action status and asks for an end to gender discrimination at the firm, back pay and related damages. No dollar amount was specified, but [Lieff Cabraser] attorney Kelly Dermody said the "potential damages are significant" because up to 5,000 women could qualify for the class action.
          In particular, the women charged that Smith Barney distributes accounts and business opportunities disproportionately to men regardless of qualifications. The suit also claims that women brokers are rarely allowed to partner with other brokers, thus depriving them of a channel for lucrative new business.
          "Smith Barney is still making money the old-fashioned way -- by paying women less," said plaintiff Renee Fassbender Amochaev, 36, who said she was dismissed from the firm's Santa Rosa, Calif. office after complaining of discrimination.