HOUSTON - A Harris County man alleges he was mistreated because of his national origin when he used to work for the Dallas Housing Authority and has initiated legal action.
Ibim Harry sued DHA in Harris County District Court on Sept. 20.
The lawsuit was removed to the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on Oct. 30.
DHA hired Harry, who is from Nigeria, as an administrator in August 2009.
He previously worked for the Houston Housing Authority.
Court papers assert the defendant subjected Harry to a hostile working environment as he was "met with resistance by workers who were accustomed to underperforming their jobs."
They add the staff "found it very difficult" to accept the plaintiff and take instructions "from a person of African origin with a different background."
Harry claims there was an instance in which he was physically attacked and referred to as a "f****** African."
The claimant unsuccessfully fielded complaints until he was dismissed for supposedly not meeting performance standards on Oct. 5, 2012, the suit says.
According to Harry, the discharge was DHA's way of getting back at him for reporting the purported discrimination at his expense.
Consequently, he seeks unspecified monetary damages.
Attorney Debra V. Jennings of Houston is representing the plaintiff.
Case No. 4:13-CV-1384
Dallas Housing Authority fired employee because of national origin, lawsuit says
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