The former economic development director of Shreveport has sued the city for racial discrimination and retaliation.
In the federal lawsuit, Andrew Mouton claims he was "the victim of race discrimination in the form of disparaging and disparate treatment when compared to other City Directors who were non-White."
When he complained to then-Mayor Adrian Perkins, he says Perkins replied that he was aware Mouton was being targeted because he was the “white guy in the room,” but advised him not to file a race discrimination complaint.
He also advised the mayor and the city's chief administrative officer of "a number of internal operational practices that likely violated local or state law, including the use of Riverfront Development Fund receipts (those funds received by the City as a portion of local Casino receipts) for City General Fund purposes rather than the intended purpose prescribed by City legislation," Mouton said in the suit.
Soon after, Mouton was the subject of a "conspiracy designed to retaliate against him," according to the suit. Complaints were filed against him alleging alleging harassment and a hostile work environment, the lawsuit states. He was fired in October 2022, according to the suit.
Mouton seeks unspecified monetary damages plus legal fees.
He is represented by Allison A. Jones of Downer, Jones, Marino & Wilhite.
Mouton v. City of Shreveport, U.S. District Court for the Western District Louisiana, 5:23-cv-01535