Atlantic Auto Group Issues Statement Addressing Kidney Donor's Claims

Atlantic Automotive Group, whose to help her ailing boss, issued a statement Monday addressing the allegations.

"It is unfortunate that one employee has used her own generous act to make up a groundless claim. Atlantic Auto treated her appropriately and acted honorably and fairly, at every turn," AAG said in the statement.

Deborah Stevens, a former clerical worker at AAG, filed a complaint Friday alleging that Jacqueline Brucia, her boss, betrayed her after she agreed to donate a kidney to help Brucia move up on the donor registry list.

The West Islip-based company, which owns the chain of car dealerships where Stevens and Brucia worked, denounced Stevens' claims that she was "groomed" by her boss for a kidney and then fired after the surgery.

According to the statement: "We expect to have this resolved favorably in the legal system if any claim if [sic] filed."

Stevens filed a complaint with the state Division of Human Rights. If state investigators find merit in Stevens' claim, she could move ahead with a lawsuit.