Shortly after settling a lawsuit with a previous employer, Kendrick Rayford claims that when his current employer found out about the lawsuit he was fired and now he has filed a lawsuit against that employer for violating his civil rights.
Rayford filed a lawsuit against Sheraton Operating Corp. d/b/a Sheraton New Orleans on Sept. 2 in federal court in New Orleans.
Rayford was hired by Sheraton New Orleans to work at 500 Canal St. as a Loss Prevention Officer on Nov. 11, 2010. He remained at Sheraton New Orleans Security Department until he was verbally fired June 11, 2011.
Rayford states that on the morning on June 11, he was called into a meeting with the human resources director and the security director. According to the allegations, they asked questions about Rayford's previous employment with the Fairgrounds Racecourse and his Title VII lawsuit against it, in part for charges of stealing it had made against him. Rayford stated that the case had settled on grounds that were "satisfactory to both parties" and he was not allowed to disclose any details of the settlement. When he could not disclose the details of the lawsuit, he was told that he was fired.
Rayford states that the defendant should have known that the activities he was engaging
in were protected and that discharging him for those activities was illegal retaliation.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for lost wages, reinstatement or front pay, medical benefits, employee benefits, emotional distress, punitive damages, interest, costs and attorney's fees.
Rayford is represented by Metairie attorneys Elmer G. Gibbons, III and Dwight W. Norton.
A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-02206
Man sues new employer for firing him after learning about lawsuit against old employer
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