Man files racial discrimination case

A Harris County man is suing over claims he was fired after reporting racial discrimination in the workplace.

Jimmy Boyd filed a lawsuit Oct. 20 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Fandeli International Corporation, Ignacio Ricaud and Francisco Galindo Garca, citing discrimination.

According to the complaint, Boyd was hired as industry sales manager by the defendant company, which sells coated abrasives products, on Oct 1, 2013, and was promoted to vice president sales and marketing by commercial director Garca on Nov. 1, 2013, due to superior performance.

Over the next several months, Boyd, an African-American, says a white coworker, a Mexican coworker and a Cuban coworker made derogatory statements about the plaintiff's race as well as referencing non-violent acts of insubordination such as sabotaging his job and violent acts. Boyd says he reported the hostile work environment to general manager Ricaud but nothing was done, allowing the harassment to continue along with threats in retaliation for his report to management.

The complaint states the defendants fabricated pretexts to lay Boyd off Feb. 10, and when he asked Garca and Ricaud why he was the only target of the layoff, and with no written notice, they began interrogating him, took his office keys and phone, and informed him, "Today is your last day."

The lawsuit states the defendants violated Boyd's civil rights by failing to provide assistance and equal employment protection in the face of a hostile work environment. The defendants are accused of race discrimination, hostile work environment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, denial of due process, vicarious liability, violating the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, violating the National Labor Relations Act and defamation by slander.

Boyd seeks more than $1 million in punitive damages and more than $500,000 in actual damages, including lost wages and benefits, plus interest and court costs. Boyd also seeks reinstatement and an injunction enjoining the defendants from further discrimination against him. He is appearing pro se.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number: 4:14-CV-03006