NASCAR settles
Friday, December 19th, 2008 | NASCAR
NASCAR announced on Dec 3 they settled a $225 million lawsuit filed by a former official who said she was subjected to racial discrimination and sexual harassment. “We’re glad to have the case settled on a mutually acceptable terms, “NASCAR spokesman Ramsy Poston said Thursday. The lawsuit was filed by Mauricia Grant, her NY based attorney has not released a statement or returned calls since the settlement.
Grant worked as a technical inspector who is responsible for certifying cars in NASCAR’s Nationwide Series from Jan 2005 until her Oct 2007. The lawsuit filed in June in court in NY, Grant alleged 23 specific incidents of sexual harassment and 34 incidents of racial and gender discrimination. According to Grant she said she was referred to as a “Nappy Headed Mo” and ” Queen Sheba” by co-workers. Grant also claims she was subjected to secual advances from male co-workers, tow of whom allegedly exposed themselves to her.
NASCAR investigated her claims and ultimately fired Tim Knox and Bud Moore, the two people accused in her suit. NASCAR chairman Brian France vigorosly defended his family business after Grant sued NASCAR, saying she never filed a complaint to any supervisors about any of the actions.
Grant denied France’s account, saying she followed teh chain of command but stopped short of taking it to HR. NASCAR has not disclose why Grant was fired in 2007.
