CHARLESTON — A 36-year-old Kanawha County man is suing Alford Home Solutions after he was subjected to racist comments during his employment.
Dontay Adams began working as a laborer in November 2018 and his supervisor, Jacob Meador, made many inappropriate, racist comments throughout Adams' employment, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Adams claims every time Meador made racist comments, he felt uncomfortable and targeted, but because Meador was the general manager's son, he was afraid of retaliation and did not complain about the comments.
The plaintiff was informed on Jan. 21, 2019, that he would need to travel for a job in Parkersburg with Meador and another coworker and when he said he did not feel comfortable doing so and requested to either not go or travel and stay with other employees, he was told he could go or he would no longer work there.
Adams was then escorted off the premises. He claims the constructive discharge was based in whole or in part on his race, which violates the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
Adams is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is represented by Jack C. Dolance of Warner Law Offices in Charleston.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Charles King.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 21-C-38