A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major utility company, alleging severe racial discrimination and a hostile work environment. Marcelino Assado, the plaintiff, submitted his complaint on January 20, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Entergy Louisiana, LLC.
Assado's complaint details numerous incidents of alleged racial discrimination and harassment during his employment with Entergy. He claims that from his first day on September 9, 2022, he was subjected to discriminatory treatment compared to his Caucasian colleagues. Assado asserts that while new Caucasian hires received immediate field training necessary for career advancement as linemen, he was relegated to desk duties without such opportunities. He describes an environment rife with racial slurs and derogatory nicknames directed at him by coworkers and supervisors. For instance, he alleges being called "Mutombo," "Musamusa," and other offensive names by his crew lead Robert Courett and coworker Dylan Adams.
The complaint further accuses Entergy of failing to address these issues despite repeated complaints to supervisors and Human Resources. Assado recounts specific incidents where he faced exclusion from team activities during a winter storm response in Magnolia, Arkansas, in January 2023. He also reports threats of physical harm from coworker Derrick Jones in February 2023 and ongoing sabotage attempts by colleagues who allegedly stole or tampered with his work equipment.
Assado argues that these actions violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. He is seeking damages for emotional distress caused by the hostile work environment fostered by Entergy's alleged negligence in addressing workplace discrimination. The lawsuit requests relief through compensation for lost wages due to wrongful termination on May 23, 2024, under what Assado claims were pretextual reasons related to minor workplace incidents.
Representing Assado are attorneys whose names have not been disclosed in the document provided. The case is presided over by judges at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana under Case ID: 2:25-cv-00141.