Mercedes-Benz is in hot water after a former sales manager accused the luxury car company of racial discrimination.
Jeffrey Turner, who previously worked at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Lafayette, Indiana, alleges he was “fired in retaliation for complaining about the owner’s repeated use of the N-word, including boasting about systematically overcharging African-American customers for vehicles, referring to it as 'n***er scalping.'”
After reporting the incident to the company’s North America office, a complaint stated Turner was fired for insubordination.
According to his lawyers, Turner worked for the luxury car brand since the 1980s and was the only Black employee at the Lafayette Mercedes-Benz dealership.
“Turner is an expert in Mercedes-Benz products and services. During his tenure at the dealership in Lafayette, he was a top performer and boosted sales,” the press release stated.
The lawsuit stated Turner was subjected to a hostile work environment due to his race, conditions the dealership was aware of, but did not correct.
“His race was a regular subject of unwelcome verbal harassment, being referred to as the 'favorite n***er.' He was also a target for anger over unrelated racial issues,” his attorney said in a press release.
Turner’s lawyers said Mike Raisor, one of the principal owners, lashed out at him about NFL players kneeling during the national anthem and the protest of police brutality led by Colin Kaepernick.
Though others witnessed Raisor's racist actions, Turner said they excused it because of the owner's age, citing he was from a different generation and he "didn't mean anything by it."
“Despite twice honoring Turner as the 'Best of the Best,' an esteemed annual award that recognized his outstanding performance, Mercedes-Benz quickly lowered his commission, then told him to leave and not come back,” the release stated. “Turner was replaced with a less or similarly qualified white candidate.”
Turner is reportedly seeking damages for racial discrimination.