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LOUISIANA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Two African-Americans accuse former employer of racial discrimination

Racism

NEW ORLEANS — Two Jefferson Parish men are suing a grain company, alleging a hostile work environment, racial discrimination and retaliation.

Quinton O'Neal and Demon Melancon, both African-American males, filed a lawsuit April 12 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Cargill Inc., doing business as Grain & Oil Seed Supply Chain, alleging violation of the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs were placed in workplace positions that put their lives in grave danger. The suit says O'Neal and Melancon experienced pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of reputation, embarrassment and humiliation during their employment. 

The plaintiffs allege the defendant subjected them to unlawful retaliation, that they were harassed by supervisors for bringing up safety concerns during meetings and that the defendant reported the plaintiffs for allegedly not doing their tasks.

The suit says O'Neal was fired Oct. 2, 2014.

Melancon was suspended indefinitely without pay April 26, 2014, for allegedly leaving prior to his relief showing up and then was fired, the lawsuit states. No Caucasian employees were reprimanded for doing the same thing, the complaint states.

O'Neal and Melancon seek a trial by jury, an order to permanently restrain the defendant from engaging in unlawful practices, compensation for earnings they did not receive, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, bonuses, pensions and other benefits, punitive damages, attorney fees, costs and any such relief the court deems proper. They are represented by Dante J. Butler of Rome Butler & Rome LLC in New Orleans.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-02977

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