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" A former safety inspector has filed a reverse discrimination lawsuit that claims he was terminated due to his race.<br /><br />Johnnie W. Tomlin filed suit against Signal International on Jan. 4 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division. He is seeking $100,000 in damages<br /><br />Tomlin was hired by the defendant in May 2006 as a Level 2 Safety Inspector. He states he was terminated in August 2009 due to a reduction in force because of lack of work for Signal International.<br /><br />According to court documents, at the time of his termination Tomlin had an excellent evaluation and was earning $21.70 an hour. Tomlin states he was eligible for rehire and claims he was told he would be rehired as soon as work picked up.<br /><br />Tomlin states approximately one month after his termination, a less qualified black worker was transferred to his safety inspector position. The plaintiff was rehired by the defendant in February 2010 in a different position for less pay. He states he was told he would be promoted back to his other position as soon as one was available. <br /><br />However, Tomlin states the defendant hired a second and a third black worker to fill the safety inspector position.<br /><br />He filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in July 2010 and he was terminated 16 days later for another reduction in labor force.<br /><br />The defendant is accused of violating Tomlin's civil rights by committing reverse discrimination.<br /><br />The plaintiff is seeking more than $100,000 in lost wages and for an award of lost benefits, reinstatement into his former position, mental anguish and emotional distress, exemplary damages and court costs.<br /><br />Tomlin is represented by Kenneth W. Lewis of Bush Lewis in Beaumont.  A jury trial is requested.<br /><br />U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone is assigned to the case.<br /><br /><em>Case No. 1:11-cv-00003</em><br />"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://setexasrecord.com/stories/510614882-reverse-discrimination-lawsuit-filed-against-east-texas-company>