A St. Joseph, Missouri, woman has been awarded $8.5 million in a racial discrimination lawsuit she brought against Missouri gas utility Spire.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that a St. Louis jury awarded $1.3 million in actual damages and $7.2 million in punitive damages to 47-year-old Danielle McGaughy, who had worked for the utility since 2004.
McGaughy, who is black, sued in 2016, accusing the company of passing her over for promotion for a younger white co-worker who had less education and work experience.
McGaughy’s lawsuit also said she endured a hostile work environment, where co-workers referred to then-President Barack Obama as a monkey.
Spire said in a written statement that it employs a diverse workforce and celebrates differences. The company says it will appeal.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Comulate Loses Appeal for Injunction Against Applied Systems 
Florida Court Says 2020 Law Gives ‘Very Broad’ Liability Immunity to Rideshare Firms 
NC Jury Award for Workers Injured in Wall Collapse May be Largest in State History 
Viewpoint: The AI Boom – When Risk Stops Being Rare, Insurance Must Evolve 
