LAFAYETTE - The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a federal complaint on September 24 in the Western District of Louisiana against Don's Specialty Meats, Inc. for violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 on the basis of race and to provide appropriate relief to Kevin Arceneaux.
According to the complaint, from 2018 and 2020, Don’s Specialty Meats, Inc. employed Arceneaux, who is African American, for purposes of preparing food at its Scott facility and then later at its Carencro facility.
The general manager allegedly routinely referred to Arceneaux as “Black boy,” “the Black boy,” or “little Black guy.” Arceneaux was identified as “Black boy” on the schedule; non-African American employees were identified by name, the suit says. He was also called a "bitch-ass" N-word, the suit says.
It is alleged that the general manager and other employees routinely used racial slurs in the presence of and at Arceneaux, using the N-word and requiring Arceneaux to pick up trash and debris on a public road.
When he complained in person to other managers, the other managers did nothing, the suit says. The behavior and treatment from managers, supervisors and other co-workers caused Arceneaux to resign on July 10, 2020, he says.
The Commission is represented by Rudy L. Sustaita.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana case number 6:21-cv-03421-MJJ-CBW