HOUSTON – A black Harris County man alleges his race was a factor in his termination from a janitorial services company.
Sherman Leonard filed a complaint on Dec. 12 in the Harris County District Court against Kimco Facility Services LLC and Simon Property Group, doing business as Katy Mills Mall, alleging race discrimination, unlawful retaliation and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was hired by Kimco in June 2016 as a unit director and he supervised a crew of approxiamately 25 employees. Kimco provided janitorial services to Simon Property Group/Katy Mills Mall, the suit states.
The plaintiff alleges he reported racist comments made by another shift supervisor to his supervisor in December 2016 and reported racist drawings in February 2017. The suit states he was terminated Feb. 19, 2017.
The plaintiff holds Kimco Facility Services LLC and Katy Mills Mall responsible because his race allegedly was a factor in the termination.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks all damages, costs, attorney's fees, interest and such other and further relief to which he may be justly entitled. He is represented by Peter Costea of Peter Costea of Law Office in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2018-88304