MARSHALL — A black Morris County man is suing the city of Naples and two mayors, alleging racial discrimination and deprivation of civil rights.
Arthur Mitchell of Naples filed a lawsuit Sept. 21 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas against the city of Naples, former Mayor Danny Mills and current Mayor Dennis Chartier, alleging violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
According to the complaint, Mitchell, who began work in Naples' Public Works Department in 2007, was subjected to unlawful discrimination because of his race, which caused him to suffer financial losses in the past and future, as well as emotional damages.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants substantially paid Caucasian workers at higher rates than African-American employees.
Mitchell seeks trial by jury, all damages, including back pay, front pay and benefits, injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, court costs and expenses, plus all other relief. He is represented by attorneys Todd Slobin and Dorian Vandenberg-Rodes of Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP in Houston.
Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas Case number 2:16-cv-01039