Farrugia
After being fired for responding to a co-worker's email about marijuana, Krisner O. Green filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against Pan America Laboratories on Sept. 8 in federal court in New Orleans.
Green was employed by the defendant from July 2010 until his termination in September 2010, the lawsuit claims. He states he was subjected to racial remarks and a racially hostile work environment during his three month employment.
According to the lawsuit, in September an email was sent to several co-workers that contained a link to an article in the local online newspaper about the street value of marijuana seized from an arrest.
Green replied to the email that "it was crazy and not possible."
Several days later, the company terminated Green and two other African Americans stating that the email was not within the culture or beliefs of the company.
He states he was subjected to racial remarks and a racially hostile work environment during his three month employment. Specifically, Green states that the company owner referred to black employees as "them" and "yall."
The plaintiff is asking the court to issue an injunction preventing the defendant from further unlawful practices and for an award of back pay, interest, bonuses, pension, lost benefits, compensatory damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of reputation, embarrassment, humiliation, punitive damages, court costs and attorney's fees.
Green is represented by New Orleans attorney Victor R. Farrugia.
Case No. 2:11-cv-02260