Ex-Caltrans worker alleges racism, harassment in San Diego lawsuit

A former Caltrans worker has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Courtroom alleging he routinely confronted racism within the office from a supervisor who was by no means investigated or disciplined.

Angel Saucedo says he and different Hispanic staff had been frequent targets of mistreatment, significantly from one in all his white supervisors, based on the grievance filed Tuesday in San Diego Superior Courtroom. Attorneys stated the lawsuit comes after their plaintiff complained to different Caltrans supervisors however no motion was taken.

In accordance with the lawsuit, that supervisor referred to Hispanic staff as “the brownie boys” and allegedly handed round mock bank cards dubbed “White Privilege” playing cards, one in all which was handed to Saucedo when he requested a bank card to pay for fuel for his Caltrans truck.

Throughout a information convention saying the lawsuit, one in all Saucedo’s attorneys, John Gomez, stated that whereas working at Caltrans, Saucedo was “subjected to repeated and outrageous acts of racism.”

Gomez Trial Attorneys

The legal professional stated that after making complaints, Saucedo was informed “to not make bother. That is simply how issues had been at Caltrans.”

“Caltrans ignored Mr. Saucedo time and time once more. With no different selection, he got here to us to hunt justice and to assist shield his Caltrans Hispanic and Latino co-workers from continued racism and bullying,” Gomez stated.

A Caltrans spokesperson stated the company doesn’t touch upon litigation issues.

Saucedo, who started working for the company in 2021, stated, “Little did I do know that my dream profession could be crammed with open racism, a poisonous work atmosphere, hostility, and retaliation.”

The lawsuit, which seeks damages for lack of revenue and psychological and emotional misery, alleges that Saucedo complained to his superiors, however nothing modified and different supervisors “laughed off” requests to have the white supervisor moved to a different work location.

It additionally alleges he was retaliated in opposition to by being assigned work that endangered him. The lawsuit factors to an incident final summer season wherein Saucedo allegedly was tasked with laying visitors cones on a busy freeway with out a visitors break and was practically struck by automobiles.

Lawyer Emilia Arutunian stated Saucedo didn’t wish to depart his job.

Arutunian stated that previous to submitting the lawsuit, she suggested Saucedo to file a grievance with Caltrans as a result of “I used to be sure as soon as (Caltrans Human Assets) acquired a maintain of the grievance, they’d fireplace the supervisor and Angel may preserve his job. Nevertheless, that didn’t occur.”