Man says he was fired because of race

CHARLESTON – An Ohio man is suing a South Charleston auto dealership, claiming he was fired from his job because he is black.

Wayne Penn filed a lawsuit June 9 against White Dodge Inc. and manager Blair White.

Penn says he began working at the dealership in late 2007 as a sales associate.

According to the complaint, about 10 days after starting the job, Sidney Clifton, the dealership's used car manager, asked White to promote Penn to the position of floor closer or assistant manager.

Penn claims he overheard White say that he could not grant the promotion because of the "color of his skin."

A few days later, Penn claims, both he and Clifton were fired.

Penn is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Timothy P. Rosinsky is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-1059