ST. LOUIS — A former service foreman is suing gas distributor company and senior employees, citing alleged racial discrimination.
Jonathan B. Jenkins filed a complaint in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Laclede Gas Co., Judy Gardner and Chris Sillies alleging that the defendants violated the Missouri Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in 2001, he worked for the defendant and experienced discrimination due to his race. The plaintiff claims that African-Americans are segregated and forced to work in high-crime areas, were not promoted and were singled out during a diversity training. After complaining to the defendants of the racial issues, he claims he was suspended and later terminated for failing to maintain a valid driver's license.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to apply equal terms and conditions of employment to people of color, including different standards of conduct; showed complete indifference to or conscious disregard for the plaintiff's rights as an employee and citizen; and failed to stop ongoing discrimination in the company that resulted to discharge of employee when he opposed discrimination in the workplace.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for compensatory and punitive damages, pre-judgment interest, reinstatement and/or front pay, attorneys' fees, costs and for additional relief as may be just and proper. He is represented by Sarah Swatosh of The Law Office of Sarah N. Swatosh LLC in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC10708