A Hispanic letter carrier from Houston is suing the U.S. postmaster general, alleging a postal employee discriminated against him.
Manuel Mejias Jr. filed a complaint Sept. 30 in the the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Megan J. Brennan, postmaster general of the U.S. Postal Service, alleging race discrimination.
The complaint states Mejias has been employed by the defendant as a city letter carrier at the Windmill Station in Houston since 1978. The suit says on March 23, 2014, Mejias received several racially offensive and threatening phone messages from Brad Ramey, a white postal employee, including references to Mejias as the "Frito Bandito," a stereotypical Mexican bandit seen in several Frito Lay corn chip commercials.
Mejias also alleges to have seen Ramey outside his home, and does not know how Ramey accessed his personal cellular number and home address. The lawsuit says Mejias reported Ramey's conduct to a human resources manager, but the defendant informed Mejias nothing could be done in this situation.
The complaint alleges Mejias was racially discriminated against.
Mejias seeks back pay, reinstatement, or front pay in lieu of reinstatement, as well as compensation for loss of earnings and earning capacity, loss of benefits and other compensatory damages, plus attorney fees and court costs. He is representing himself in the case.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:15-cv-02853.