LUFKIN - An African-American laborer worker claims he was terminated due to his race and not because of an altercation with a co-worker.
Rodney L. Richards filed suit against Aspen Power on Feb. 13 in federal court in the Lufkin Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
Richards, an African-American, claims he was denied promotion and raises, demoted and ultimately terminated because of his race.
According to the lawsuit, Richards was hired in the position of heavy equipment operator and repeatedly denied promotion to the position of dump truck operator. In addition, he was demoted to the position of general laborer.
In October 2011, he was terminated due to an altercation he had with a non-African-American employee. However Richards states the other employee instigated the altercation, but was not disciplined for it.
The defendant is accused of racial discrimination in violation of Richards’ civil rights.
The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for mental, emotional and psychological damages, back pay, front pay and punitive damages,
Richards is represented by Alex A. Castetter of Stuckey, Garrigan & Castetter in Nacogdoches. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.
Case No. 9:13-cv-00040
Black worker claims termination due to race, not altercation with co-worker
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