Man sues company in racial bias case

By BILL VARIAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 8, 2000

HERNANDO -- A Marion County man is alleging that he was subjected to racial slurs and threats from his former co-workers at a local company that builds horse trailers.

Dexter White of Dunnellon, who is black, says he took his concerns to supervisors at Classic Ventures Inc. at 2912 N Florida Ave., Hernando. But nothing happened.

So now White has filed suit against the company, citing state and federal civil rights laws, contending that his workplace was so hostile that he had no choice but to leave last August after little more than a year on the job.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Circuit Court, contends that White's former co-workers:

Directed racial epithets his way.

Wrote or painted racist graffiti in places where he would see it.

Leveled racially charged threats of violence against him.

A supervisor at Classic Ventures directed a phone call to attorney Michelle Ketchum, with the Carlton Fields law firm in St. Petersburg. Ketchum said she had not seen the lawsuit and therefore could not comment on it.

Attempts to reach White and his attorney, James P. Tarquin of Ocala, were not successful Friday.

White was an employee of Classic Ventures from April 1998 until August 1999, when he was forced to resign, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit contends that White related the alleged actions of his co-workers to his supervisors, who he says refused to take prompt or effective remedial action.

White then filed complaints with the Florida Commission on Human Relations and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The commission found that there was reasonable cause to believe some of the allegations but was not able to obtain a settlement between White and Classic Ventures, according to a notice attached to the suit.

The federal agency opted not to take action against Classic Ventures, instead notifying White that he was free to take the matter to court.

The lawsuit does not make clear what, if any, action was taken by the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

White is seeking lost wages, attorneys' fees and punitive damages of more than $15,000 against Classic Ventures.

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