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A Black man in West Virginia said his white supervisor, who allegedly referred to himself as a "slave driver," used the n-word and other racial epithets in a new lawsuit against his former employer.
According to Atlanta Black Star, Ethan Mullins, 23, filed a discrimination lawsuit against Worthington HealthCare, a skilled nursing facility for seniors in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where he was previously employed as a former maintenance worker.
“I’m giving you a chance; just one chance. I’m going to be watching you, boy," Dustin Carpenter, the director of maintenance at the West Virginia facility, allegedly told Mullins.
This wasn't the last time Carpenter referred to Mullins as "boy," according to the lawsuit. The maintenance director allegedly continued to belittle Mullins in front of other employees and said the word "n****r" on several occasions.
The lawsuit also states that Carpenter referred to himself as a "slave driver" in front of other employees. Carpenter allegedly threatened Mullins, saying if the employee didn't follow his rules he would ensure that the 23-year-old “could never work in the health care field again."
“I don’t understand why you guys call each other ‘ni—ers’ and wear expensive shoes," the supervisor once said, according to the lawsuit.
Mullins and other employees reported several racist incidents involving Carpenter but to no avail. The maintenance worker reportedly resigned from his post in February 2024 due to the alleged hostile work environment and racial discrimination.
Mullins' lawsuit is seeking a jury trial to determine compensatory and punitive damages.
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