NEW ORLEANS — A man claims he experienced racial discrimination, hostile work environment and constructive discharge, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 1991 and the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law.
Melvin Rankin, an African American man, filed a complaint on May 12 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Maintenance Dredging Inc.
According to his complaint, Rankin started employment at Maintenance Dredging Inc. in December 2018, and was specifically hired for his skill set, but also was the only African American employee. On May 24, 2019, Rankin alleged he walked into a room and found "two hangman nooses" placed under his chair.
Rankin's co-workers admitted making the nooses, the suit claims. Rankin alleged that shortly after that incident, he had a verbal exchange with one of the co-workers then later found his tires slashed.
Rankin alleged that on another occasion, he found his hard hat had been spit into with chewing tobacco. Rankin alleged that he was regularly exposed to verbal assault and called the "N" word. Rankin received a call on August 22, 2019, asking for him to come back to work, and Rankin said he was concerned for his safety, the suit says. Rankin alleged that his supervisor offered no response and Rankin did not want to return to work because of the discrimination.
Melvin Rankin seeks back pay, including wages and salary, overtime, benefits, reinstatement, compensatory damages for emotional and physical injuries, medical expenses, punitive damages and attorneys fees and costs. Rankin is represented by Ravi Sangisetty of Sangisetty Law Firm, LLC.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana case number 21-938