Racist Email Just for Starters, Worker Says

TULSA, Okla. (CN) - An email from the boss was so virulently racist it made an employee sick, the retaliation forced her from her job, she says in a federal discrimination lawsuit.

Norma Galindo sued Price Edwards & Co. dba Pomeroy Park Apartments, of Tulsa, on June 23.

She claims that after working as a leasing against for 5 months, her assistant manager sent an email to employees that stated, in part: "And have you noticed that if you rearrange the letters in 'illegal immigrants,' and add just a few more letters, it spells: 'Go home you freeloading, benefit-grabbing, resource-sucking, baby-making, non-English-speaking jackasses and take those other hairy-faced, sandal-wearing, bomb-making, camel-riding, goat-loving, raggedy-ass foreigners with you.'"

Galindo says the company fired the assistant manager who sent the email, and the manager, but the new managers the company brought in retaliated against her with a campaign of hostility so relentless she became severely depressed and her doctor ordered her to take two weeks off work.

When she returned, she found that the new manager was no better, Galindo says, for example, screaming at her: "I don't have time for those niggers' or Mexicans' problems right now." The retaliation also took other forms, Galindo says, such as the manager's throwing Galindo's lunch away, refusing to let her eat lunch and belittling her.

When she gave up and resigned, Galindo says, the company owed her $5,175 in payments for new leases and lease renewals, which it refused to pay "unless she agreed to sign a waiver and release of claims."

She seeks damages for racial discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, wage violations, failure to provide her COBRA notice, and costs.

She is represented by Charles Vaught with Armstrong & Vaught.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit