Bert Wolfe Ford sued by former employee

CHARLESTON – A former employee is suing Bert Wolfe Ford, Inc. after he claims he was racially discriminated against and wrongfully terminated from his employment.

On June 17, 2010, Marcus D. Thompson was hired by the defendant as a customer service advisor, according to a complaint filed Feb. 25 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Thompson claims co-workers made offensive racial comments and jokes toward him.

Bert Wolfe Ford was aware of the racial comments and jokes made toward Thompson, but failed to remedy the situation, according to the suit.

Thompson claims his employment was terminated without good cause and without due consideration of the facts and circumstances surrounding his employment with Bert Wolfe Ford.

Bert Wolfe Ford created a hostile working environment and wrongfully terminated Thompson’s employment in retaliation and was a violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.

Thompson claims the defendant’s actions were malicious, wanton, willful, grossly negligent, illegal and wrongful.

As a result of the defendant’s actions, Thompson suffered humiliation; annoyance and inconvenience; embarrassment; fear; a diminution in his ability and capacity to enjoy life; emotional and mental distress; financial hardship; and a loss of personal dignity, according to the suit.

Thompson is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Erika Klie Kolenich and D. Geoff Varney of Klie Law Offices, PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-382