A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major industrial corporation, alleging severe racial discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Ray Brantley lodged the complaint against Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., doing business as Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America, on June 28, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Brantley's allegations detail a disturbing pattern of race-based discrimination and harassment that began in April 2023 and continued unabated despite multiple complaints to his employer. According to the complaint, Brantley, an African American Quality Inspector hired by Sumitomo in November 2021, was subjected to derogatory remarks and actions by colleagues who referred to him solely as "the black guy." The hostile work environment escalated with incidents such as his car being spat on, his coffee tampered with using rust protection spray, and his shoes thrown into a dirty pile.
Despite filing several complaints between April 2023 and January 2024 regarding this treatment, Brantley asserts that Sumitomo took no action to address or prevent further occurrences. This ongoing neglect culminated in Brantley experiencing a severe psychiatric episode on April 12, 2024, leading him to take an unpaid medical leave of absence. He is currently pursuing short-term disability benefits under the guidance of a psychiatrist who attributes his condition directly to the workplace environment.
The lawsuit claims violations under Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII of the same act. Brantley argues that Sumitomo's conduct constitutes illegal intentional race discrimination and harassment. He also alleges retaliation for reporting these issues, stating that he faced adverse employment actions including being forced into unpaid leave.
Brantley seeks various forms of relief from the court: back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any other relief deemed just by the court. He has demanded a jury trial for all issues presented in his case.
The case is represented by Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while details about Sumitomo's legal representation remain undisclosed at this time. The case ID is 1:24-cv-05456.