PITTSBURGH — A former employee is suing an energy services company, alleging his termination was due to his race.
Sebastian Pratt of Kenmore, New York, filed a complaint Jan. 26 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Sun Energy Services LLC, doing business as Deep Well Services of Zelienople, Pennsylvania, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation.
According to the complaint, Pratt was employed by Deep Well for 2 1/2 months as a fulltime lead. The suit says he was assigned to a job in West Virginia where he began to suffer from hostility, as the defendant made derogatory statements about African Americans.
The lawsuit states Pratt complained about the treatment but the actions continued, culminating in the plaintiff's termination, stating he was unfit for duty. The plaintiff alleges the true reason for his termination was racial discrimination.
Pratt seeks damages for lost wages, benefits, willful, malicious and outrageous conduct, as well as emotional distress and legal fees, plus a jury trial. He is represented by attorney Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti PC in Bensalem.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00111