Former restaurant manager claims termination due to race

A former Chili's manager claims she lost her job based on the color of her skin.

Anjonette G. Henderson filed a lawsuit May 24 in Jefferson County District Court against Brinker International doing business as Chili's Restaurant and Stephen Pilant.

In her complaint, Henderson claims she worked at Chili's as a manager for its Silsbee location when she lost her job on March 4, 2010.

"The Defendants, through Mr. Stephen Pilant, wrongly and falsely accused Plaintiff of theft, as a pretext for this termination," the suit states. "Plaintiff would show that accusing an employee of theft wrongfully is malicious per se, and was clearly done for the purposes of causing the maximum harm to Plaintiff and to try to cover up the violations of the Texas Labor Code."

Henderson claims Chili's wrongfully terminated her, violating the Texas Labor Code's anti-discrimination provisions.

In her complaint, Henderson seeks actual, punitive and statutory damages, plus attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

John M. Morgan of Harris, Duesler and Hatfield in Beaumont will be representing her.

Scott Sheldon of Sheldon and Dunham in Beaumont will serve of counsel.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. A190-091