Greyhound employee labeled man "thug," suit says

CHARLESTON - A Charleston man is suing Greyhound Bus Lines over the discriminatory treatment he says he received.

Mark Blanks filed the suit Sept. 28 in Kanawha Circuit Court and says a ticket agent he believes named "Rose" called him a "thug."

"In his efforts to purchase a ticket on (March 3, 2005), Plaintiff again encountered the female ticket agent, who not only harassed Plaintiff as to the size of his suitcase and other issues, but also defamed Plaintiff in his character by labeling him a 'thug' in the presence of his family and other individuals within the facility," the complaint says.

Blanks says he did not purchase his ticket and instead returned home to wait for the woman to get off work. When he went back, he says a manager and two police officers accused him of threatening the woman and was told he could not board the bus.

He adds that he was escorted out of the facility in front of his family and was told he could never return.

"Plaintiff did not threaten, intimidate or harass anyone employed by the defendant," the complaint says.

He charges Greyhound with intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract, defamation and tortuous conduct.

Eunice Green is representing Blanks, who seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

Judge Charles King has been assigned the case.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-2010