East Texas company sued for denying African-American worker promotions and raises

LUFKIN - An African-American heavy equipment operator has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against an East Texas company that claims he was denied promotions and raises in favor of less qualified white employees.

Dorlexcia Woodson filed suit against Aspen Power on Aug. 20 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.

Woodson, an African-American, states that he was assigned to work in the defendant’s wood yard as a heavy equipment operator, where he was forced to work 12 hour shifts.

According to the suit, Woodson argues that white employees were allowed to work on more desirable shifts. Woodson also claims that he was denied promotions and raises in favor of less qualified white employees, the suit states.

After he filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Woodson was laid off on Feb. 28, 2012, while several white employees, who had less seniority, were not laid off, according to the suit.

The defendant is accused of violating Woodson’s civil rights by racial discrimination and retaliation based on her opposition to the discrimination.

The plaintiff is asking for an award of damages for back pay and front pay, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, court costs and interest.

Woodson is represented by Alex A. Castetter of Stuckey, Garrigan & Castetter Law Offices in Nacogdoches. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 9:12-cv-00135