Deborah Stevens fired after donating kidney to boss Jacqueline Brucia, suing Atlantic Automotive

NEW YORK -- Forty-seven year old Deborah Stevens is a sweet mother of two who thought she was doing something humane and simply out of the kindness of her heart which, in turn, seemed to backfire, big time.

Stevens was an employee at the Atlantic Automotive Group for over a year before she decided to move to Florida. She left on good terms and during a trip back to NY, she visited her former employer to say hello.

While she was there, her boss, Jacqueline Brucia explained how she was having health problems and needed a new kidney. Debbie told Brucia if she ever needed a kidney, she would be willing to donate.

After deciding to move back to New York, Debbie asked for her old job back. Brucia immediately hired her back, and then reminded her that she offered a kidney at one time.

"My boss needed a kidney," said Stevens.

Stevens went under the knife in August of 2011 to have her left kidney removed. The recovery was nothing like she expected and she went through a painful recovery.

On September 6, Stevens went back to work, even though she was still in pain. That is when she realized what really went down.

"It appeared I was used. She used her power and she manipulated me," said Stevens.

The boss who once asked for the gift of life -- turned into an ungrateful monster, finding fault in everything Stevens did.

"She accused me of not doing my job, she'd yell at me every day. She made me feel guilty about the pain I was in."

Stevens couldn't take it anymore and went to human resources. They informed her they had heard from other employees that Brucia was harassing Stevens. They in turn moved Stevens to another dealership fifty miles away, and then abruptly fired her.

"I felt like my heart was ripped out," said Stevens.

Stevens is now filing a complaint and lawsuit to the Division of Human Rights against Atlantic Automotive and Brucia.

WPIX-TV went to the dealership and they had no comment. Brucia was not in her office, nor was she at her West Islip home.

Stevens says if she had to do it all over again, she would not.