A former employee has taken legal action against a prominent packaging company, alleging racial and national origin discrimination. Luis Cortez filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 19, 2024, accusing Sonoco Products Company of discriminatory practices and retaliation under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The lawsuit filed by Luis Cortez details a series of allegations against Sonoco Products Company, where he was employed as a Maintenance Technician from April 27, 2024, until his termination on July 29, 2024. Cortez claims that he faced continuous race-based and national origin-based harassment from a colleague named Mike, who allegedly made derogatory remarks such as "Send Mexicans back to Mexico" and "Go back to your country." Despite reporting these incidents to his supervisor Armando and later to Human Resources (HR), Cortez asserts that no substantial action was taken to address his concerns. Instead, he alleges that the harassment intensified after Mike returned from a brief leave following threats of violence against Hispanics.
Cortez's complaint highlights several counts under federal law, including violations of Section 1981 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act concerning race-based discrimination, national origin-based discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. He contends that his termination was unjustly based on his race and national origin and was retaliatory for opposing unlawful workplace conduct. The complaint states that other non-Hispanic employees did not face similar treatment despite being in comparable situations.
In seeking justice through the court system, Cortez requests various forms of relief. These include back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages for emotional distress and loss of employment benefits, attorney fees and costs associated with the lawsuit, as well as any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Luis Cortez is Nathan C. Volheim from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while the case will be heard in front of judges at the Northern District Court under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11876.