Lawsuit: TDCJ made female South Asian employee target of racial discrimination

HOUSTON - A Houston woman who works for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has filed suit on grounds she is the target of racial discrimination in the workplace, recent court documents say.

The lawsuit, filed April 24 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, asserts that Jindarat Brewer experienced mistreatment as a TDCJ employee because she is of South Asian descent.

Named as defendants are TDCJ Executive Director Brad Livingston, Assistant Regional Director Laura Burgess, Warden James Mossbarger, Warden Assistant Sharon Allen, Lt. Rodriguez, Sgt. Lopez and Commanding Officer Daniels.

Brewer works at TDCJ's Ramsey Unit in Rosharon, Brazoria County.

She alleges the events that are the focus of the litigation went on for at least two years.

According to the suit, Brewer's superiors subjected the plaintiff to "unwarranted criticism and disparagement of [her] work" as well as "harsh and unreasonable performance standards not generally applied and not consistent with applicable personnel practices and regulations."

Such purported discriminatory acts included preventing the complainant from taking a restroom break, humiliating her at a meeting and denying a transfer to another unit while other non-South Asian workers were treated better, it says.

Brewer further recalls an instance which defendant Daniels struck her in the face and caused her nose to bleed, adding the respondents' harassment worsened and her health deteriorated afterwards.

In July 2012, she submitted a formal complaint only to have it dismissed about three months later.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Diogu Kalu Diogu II of Fulshear is representing Brewer.

Case No. 4:13-CV-1161