In a compelling legal confrontation, a former employee has taken legal action against his previous employers, alleging serious misconduct in the workplace. On February 6, 2025, George Ondier filed a lawsuit in Harris County District Court against Gulf Rice Milling, LLC and Gulf Pacific Rice Co., LLC. The lawsuit claims that Ondier was subjected to racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and retaliation during his tenure with the companies.
George Ondier, who began working for the defendants in January 2012 as Director of Resources and Development, alleges that he faced a hostile work environment due to his race and national origin. According to the petition, Ondier is a black male from Kenya who experienced derogatory remarks from senior management. One such instance involved a senior manager referring to Michelle Obama as an "orangutan" and labeling Ondier as "this African," further asserting that they needed "to get rid of this African." These statements allegedly created an offensive working environment for Ondier.
The complaint also details issues of sexual harassment within the company. It describes how Jane Doe #1 (initials HKP), an employee reporting directly to Ondier, was engaged in a sexual relationship with John Doe #1 (initials JP), a member of senior management. This relationship reportedly interfered with Jane Doe #1's work performance and disrupted the department managed by Ondier. Despite multiple complaints made by Ondier about this inappropriate conduct and its impact on his department's efficiency, no corrective action was taken by the company's management.
Ondier's termination on May 13, 2024—just ten days after lodging another complaint about the workplace environment—prompted him to file charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Texas Workforce Commission’s Civil Rights Division on June 9, 2024. He received a "right to sue" notice on December 17, 2024, paving the way for this lawsuit.
In his petition, Ondier seeks monetary relief ranging from $250,000 to $1 million for damages including lost wages and benefits, loss of reputation and earning capacity, mental anguish, as well as punitive damages due to what he describes as malicious or recklessly indifferent behavior by his employers. The plaintiff also demands attorney fees and other related costs.
Representing George Ondier are attorneys Joshua A. Verde and Ashley B. Reilly from The Verde Law Firm PLLC. The case is presided over by Judge Taiasha Bradford under Case ID: 2025-08374.