A former editor for the New York Post has sued the News Corp.-owned newspaper claiming she was fired after complaining about a political cartoon that likened President Barack Obama to a chimpanzee.

Sandra Guzman, a former Post associate editor, alleged in her lawsuit filed with a New York court Monday that      - female employees and employees of color have been subjected to pervasive and systematic discrimination - at the newspaper.

- Its work environment is permeated with racist and sexist conduct and comments towards employees of color and women - according to the suit by Guzman, who is of African-American and Puerto Rican ancestry.

It said that after Guzman complained to her supervisors about the "hostile work environment" and the February 2009 cartoon she was - unlawfully retaliated against by the Company and unjustly terminated on September 29, 2009. -

Guzman, who worked at the Post for six years and was described in the suit as the "only female editor of color" at the newspaper, is seeking unspecified damages.

A Post spokeswoman told the rival New York Daily News that Guzman was let go because the magazine she edited, Tempo, was being closed down.

The cartoon featured two policeman standing over the body of a chimpanzee with one saying: "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

Guzman's suit said the chimpanzee was intended to represent Obama and Post editors were - fully aware of the racist and offensive nature of the cartoon. -

News Corp. chairman and chief executive Rupert Murdoch issued an apology for the cartoon saying it - was not meant to be racist, but unfortunately it was interpreted by many as such. -