Judge Drastically Reduces Black Employee’s $137 Million Discrimination Lawsuit Against Tesla
In October, a federal jury awarded Owen Diaz nearly $136.9 million in damages for racist incidents he suffered in 2015 and 2016 while working at Tesla’s plant in Fremont, Calif. A judge has now reduced the multi-million dollar lawsuit.
According to Reuters, U.S. District Judge William Orrick called the $136.9 million “excessive” and "unconstitutionally large.” Orrick ordered Diaz to receive $15 million.
Bernard Alexander, Diaz’s lawyer, said in a statement, "The award of $15 million is substantial but does not come close to reflecting the harm caused to Mr. Diaz, or the reprehensibility of Tesla's conduct.” Diaz will appeal the judge’s decision.
Tesla has not released a statement.
The original award combined $6.9 million in compensatory damages and $130 million in punitive damages.
According to The New York Times, Diaz, an elevator operator, said co-workers, including a supervisor, repeatedly used a racial slur toward him. He endured racist graffiti in the bathroom and derogatory caricatures of Black children in the workplace.
Owen Diaz accused Tesla of largely ignoring his complaints.
