ST. LOUIS -- Steven Cafiero filed a complaint on Sept. 14 in St. Louis County Circuit Court against Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. for violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, Cafiero began working for Keurig Dr. Pepper Inc. on Aug. 17, 2020, as an electrical mechanical technician. Cafiero alleges that co-workers Jeff Davis and Paul Grady made frequent jokes and comments of a sexual nature in an effort to create an intimidating, hostile and offensive work environment.
Cafiero alleges having complained to his manager Chad Bates about the comments and Bates allegedly told Cafiero to get along with the co-workers as they did not mean any harm. Cafiero alleges that Grady also accused him of being racist.
Cafiero alleges having complained against to Bates on Nov. 30, 2020. After Cafiero had an evaluation on Dec. 2, 2020, he was called into the HR office on Dec. 9, 2020 for allegedly "throwing gang signs." On Dec. 11, 2020, HR informed Cafiero that he was terminated and refused to specify the reasoning, the suit says. Cafiero alleges being discriminated against due to his gender and retaliated against following his complaints of harassment.
The defendant recently removed the case to federal court. Cafiero is represented by Ryan Schellert of Kasper Law Firm, LLC.