Man sues CBC Engineers & Associates, alleges racial discrimination

WINFIELD - A man is suing his former employer for allegedly racially discriminating against him.

CBC Engineers & Associates Ltd. and Mike Cross were named as defendants in the suit.

Mario D. Mendez Jr. was employed by the defendants for approximately nine months and was subjected to racial discrimination, according to a complaint filed July 29 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Mendez claims the racial discrimination he suffered was a hostile work environment, including hostile words, gestures, actions and unwelcomed physical contact by his supervisor.

During his employment, Mendez made complaints of the hostile work environment to his supervisors, but he received no relief from the hostile conditions, according to the suit.

Mendez claims in spite of the highly offensive and inappropriate nature of the actions and comments directed at him, he continued to do his job and made every attempt to ignore the inappropriate and offensive behavior.

On Jan. 24, the defendants unlawfully terminated Mendez's employment in retaliation for making complaints regarding hostile work environment, according to the suit.

Mendez is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Michael A. Olivio and Travis A. Griffith.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 13-C-246