New complaint alleges racial bias at NASCAR
In his complaint, a notarized copy of which was obtained by The Charlotte Observer and ThatsRacin.com on Saturday, Duckett said he was subjected to a "hostile work environment" because of his "race and marital status" and was wrongfully terminated. He filed his complaint Sept. 4 with the Buffalo, N.Y., office of the EEOC.
Duckett, who is black, claimed incidents of discrimination began in May 2001 and lasted through his termination by NASCAR on Nov. 14, 2007.
In a brief statement included in the complaint, Duckett wrote: "During my employment I was subjected to different terms and conditions of employment and a hostile work environment because of my race and marital status and was wrongfully terminated in violation of Title VII and corresponding state laws."
Reached by The Associated Press at his home Saturday, Duckett said he wants his job back. If he doesn't get that, he said a lawsuit would be his next option.
"They took my life away. I loved my job," Duckett told the wire service. "I put everything into my job. I feel they took away from my family."
NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said an attorney for the sanctioning body had been notified of the complaint, but that NASCAR would have no further comment immediately.
Duckett was named in the $225 million lawsuit filed in June by former NASCAR official Mauricia Grant, in which she alleged racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination.
Grant's suit included claims that Duckett was reprimanded and ultimately fired by NASCAR for using "aggressive language toward a white co-worker."
The Grant suit also alleged that another female official had complained to NASCAR officials in 2006 about sexual harassment after Duckett threw water on her chest, simulating a wet T-shirt contest. Charlotte Observer