Refinery worker files discrimination lawsuit

A refinery worker has filed a lawsuit that claims he is a victim of discrimination after he was wrongfully accused of committing a rule violation and fired.

Boyd Weber filed suit against Motiva Enterprises – Norco Refinery on Nov. 11 in federal court in New Orleans.

Weber was employed as a process technician by the defendant and states he was wrongfully accused of committing a lifesaving rule violation on Jan. 15, 2010. As a result, he was terminated on Jan. 22, 2010, the suit claims.

After his termination, he learned that a black process technician had actually committed a lifesaving rule violation on Feb. 23, 2010, but was not fired for his offense. In May 2011, Weber learned that another black process technician committed a lifesaving rule violation and was also not terminated.

Weber states his termination was an act of unlawful discrimination.

The plaintiff is asking the court for an award of back pay, benefits, reinstatement, front pay, benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment and defamation, attorney's fees and court costs.

Weber is represented by Baton Rouge attorney Dan M. Scheuermann.

U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-02817