Source: Black employee saw Comcast co-worker make noose, says $600,000 lawsuit
A 48-year-old African-American employee of Comcast Corp. who says she was subjected to a racially hostile environment -- including a noose made by a co-worker -- filed a $600,000 lawsuit against the company late last month.
Bridget Cooks’ lawsuit states she was the only African American employee in her department and that she was fired after complaining about a barrage of incidences.
The suit states she was hired by the employment agencies Aerotek and Allegis Group and in June 2014 placed in the Tigard offices of cable and telecommunications provider Comcast.
According to the lawsuit, about a year into the job, in July 2015, Cooks began to experience what she felt was a hostile workplace, including, she says:
The suit lists Comcast, Aerotek and Allegis Group as defendants. Comast spokeswoman Amy Keiter declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. Aerotek and Allegis Group representatives didn't return calls.
The suit seeks $100,000 for lost wages so far, plus $500,000 for mental stress and humiliation.
Portland attorney Shemia Fagan filed the suit May 26 in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Cooks’ behalf. Read the lawsuit here.
A 48-year-old African-American employee of Comcast Corp. who says she was subjected to a racially hostile environment -- including a noose made by a co-worker -- filed a $600,000 lawsuit against the company late last month.
Bridget Cooks’ lawsuit states she was the only African American employee in her department and that she was fired after complaining about a barrage of incidences.
The suit states she was hired by the employment agencies Aerotek and Allegis Group and in June 2014 placed in the Tigard offices of cable and telecommunications provider Comcast.
According to the lawsuit, about a year into the job, in July 2015, Cooks began to experience what she felt was a hostile workplace, including, she says:
- A male co-worker allegedly constructed a noose in front of Cooks, while "staring at her," in an attempt to intimidate her.
- A co-worker allegedly lectured her about how Martin Luther King Jr. didn’t deserve a holiday in his name because he hadn’t made any significant contributions to American society.
- On July 8, 2016, the day after a gunman killed five police officers during a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas, a co-worker insisted to Cooks that “white lives matter.”
The suit lists Comcast, Aerotek and Allegis Group as defendants. Comast spokeswoman Amy Keiter declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. Aerotek and Allegis Group representatives didn't return calls.
The suit seeks $100,000 for lost wages so far, plus $500,000 for mental stress and humiliation.
Portland attorney Shemia Fagan filed the suit May 26 in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Cooks’ behalf. Read the lawsuit here.