Lance C. Joseph, an African American male, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Port Allen alleging racial and gender discrimination in employment practices. The complaint was lodged on November 17, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. Joseph claims that the City of Port Allen engaged in discriminatory practices that violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, Lance C. Joseph has been employed as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the City of Port Allen since May 20, 2020. He asserts that upon hiring, he was informed that he would also assume responsibilities for supervising the Department of Public Works due to a vacancy in its leadership. This additional responsibility was not part of his original job description or discussed during pre-hiring interviews. Despite these added duties, Joseph claims he did not receive any additional compensation.
Joseph highlights discrepancies in salary between himself and other employees within similar roles. In January 2023, Katrina Davis, an African American female, was hired as Chief Financial Officer at a higher pay grade than Joseph despite being classified at the same step within the City's salary system. Furthermore, Aaron Landry, a Caucasian male promoted to Superintendent of Public Works in April 2023, received a significant salary increase while Joseph continued to perform substantial duties related to this role without extra pay.
The plaintiff alleges these actions constitute unlawful employment practices by showing favoritism based on race and sex—favoring a Caucasian male and an African American female over him—thus violating federal laws aimed at ensuring equal employment opportunities and pay equity. "Defendant’s actions constituted an unlawful employment practice," states Joseph's complaint.
In seeking justice from the court, Lance C. Joseph requests compensatory damages amounting to $500,000 for physical pain and suffering; mental anguish including humiliation and anxiety; deprivation of rights under federal statutes; punitive damages intended as deterrence against future discrimination; lost wages; diminished work capacity; among other economic losses incurred due to alleged discriminatory acts by his employer.
Represented by attorneys Edwin M. Shorty Jr., Hope L. Harper from Edwin M Shorty Jr & Associates law firm based out New Orleans—the case is identified with Case ID: 3:24-cv-00943-JWD-EWD but does not yet list any presiding judge or magistrate judge overseeing proceedings.