HOUSTON — A former Sysco carrier development manager alleges he was singled out and wrongfully accused of being "in bed with the mafia" and terminated because he is African American.
Leshan Hayden filed a complaint Dec. 5 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Sysco Corporation, alleging violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Texas Labor Codes.
According to the complaint, Hayden began working for Sysco on April 11, 2011, and eventually moved into the position of carrier development manager where he oversaw shipments. The suit states Hayden's position allowed him to have a "measure of latitude to adjust pricing."
However the plaintiff alleges on June 12, 2018, he was suspended for a price adjustment he had made to a company called John J. Jerue, allegedly owned by an Italian-American family. Hayden alleges he was singled out, interrogated, accused of being "in bed with the mafia" and terminated due to his race.
Hayden seeks monetary relief of $350,000, trial by jury, interest, attorney fees, court costs and all other just relief. He is represented by attorney H. Julian Frachtman of The Hafrachtman Law Firm in Houston.
Houston Division for the Southern District of Texas case number 4:19-CV-04745