Man accuses Kohl's of racial discrimination

CHARLESTON -- A man has filed suit against Kohl’s, alleging he was racially discriminated against by its employees and told to never return to the store.

Anthony Wilson filed suit April 28 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Kohl's Department Store and unknown employees.

According to the complaint, Wilson, who is an African-American, claims he was shopping for shirts at the Kohl’s department store in Beckley on Jan. 26. As he made his way to the checkout counter, he overheard a cashier telephone someone to indicate he looked suspicious, according to the complaint.

He approached the cashier and asked her why she described him as suspicious. She replied he went to the jewelry counter, which made him suspicious, the suit states.

Furthermore, Wilson claims the security guard and risk management team placed him on a no trespass list and told him he would be arrested if he ever returned to the store to shop.

When Wilson did reappear at the store to make a complaint to management, the store’s risk assessment team followed him while harassing and threatening him, according to the complaint.

Because of the way he was treated, Wilson suffered humiliation and mental and physical pain and anguish, the complaint says. He also claims he suffered from anxiety and depression, endured damage to his good name and reputation and lost the ordinary pleasures of his everyday life.

Wilson is seeking punitive damages, plus interest, costs, attorney’s fees and other relief the court deems just.

He is being represented in the case by attorney Katherine L. Dooley of The Dooley Law Firm in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 14-C-806