James Boozer has filed a lawsuit against his former employer, Depotrek Logistics, LLC, doing business as Team One Logistics, LLC, alleging sexual harassment and discrimination. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 31, 2024. Boozer accuses the company of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by subjecting him to a hostile work environment based on his sex and retaliating against him for reporting inappropriate conduct.
The case centers around events that transpired during Boozer's employment as a diesel technician from August 17, 2023, to September 4, 2024. According to Boozer's allegations, starting in early August 2024, he was exposed to explicit videos and images shared by his foreman, Dan Gould. These materials depicted a coworker in intimate situations without consent. Despite expressing discomfort and urging Gould to stop sharing these videos, Boozer claims that the behavior continued unabated. When Boozer informed the affected coworker about the situation, it led to an internal investigation by management.
Boozer asserts that after reporting the incident to management and participating in an inquiry with HR representatives including Dan Holiner and Theresa from HR, he faced punitive actions instead of support. On August 29, 2024, he was placed on unpaid suspension without explanation and subsequently terminated on September 4, 2024. He contends that this termination was a direct result of his opposition to unlawful practices and exercising his rights under Title VII.
In addition to alleging sexual harassment under both federal law and the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS5/), Boozer claims sex-based discrimination as well. He argues that despite meeting or exceeding performance expectations throughout his tenure at Depotrek Logistics, he was treated less favorably than other employees outside his protected class.
Boozer seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay with benefits, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages for willful disregard of his rights by Depotrek Logistics' management team along with attorney fees and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing James Boozer is attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while no information is provided regarding legal representation for Depotrek Logistics at this stage. The case is being overseen under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11254 in the Northern District of Illinois.