Former bank manager alleges racial discrimination

A Sugarland woman has sued her former company, alleging racial discrimination.

Roxanne Johnson filed against a lawsuit April 28 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Texas Dow Employees Credit Union (TDECU), alleging racial discrimination in 2014.

According to the complaint, Johnson began working for TDECU’s predecessor in 1996 as a branch manager at the firm’s Rosenberg location. She performed well, received positive reviews and experienced no issues or disciplinary actions, the suit states.

The suit says a newer, Caucasian employee was promoted over Johnson July 1, 2014, and the new employee fired Johnson July 10, 2014, for perceived “force balancing” and interrupted Johnson's brief planned vacation.

The suit contends there was no formal decision making, policy or paperwork validating the new manager’s decision. Despite efforts to contact higher-ups, Johnson received no response or explanation, the suit says. After applying for and receiving unemployment benefits, the plaintiff learned she had not been terminated for the reasons given, the suit states.

Johnson subsequently found work elsewhere Jan. 12, the suit says, and the manager who fired her was terminated in April.

The plaintiff cites race discrimination and alleges reputational damage and mental anguish.

Johnson seeks: compensatory, consequential, incidental, and punitive damages in excess of $500,000 including back and front pay; pre- and post-judgment interest; a tax offset payment; attorney fees; expenses and costs. She is represented by attorney Mark Oberti of Oberti Sullivan in Houston.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number: 4:15-cv-01106