In a gripping legal battle, a former employee has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, alleging severe racial discrimination and wrongful termination. The complaint was lodged by Joe Nathan York Jr. on March 24, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, targeting the John Stewart Company as the defendant.
Joe Nathan York Jr., represented by attorneys Eli Banayan and Ariel Banayan from Bana Legal Group, P.C., claims that during his tenure at John Stewart Company, he endured relentless racial discrimination and harassment. York worked as a maintenance employee from December 2019 until his termination on September 17, 2023. He alleges that he was subjected to racial slurs and derogatory comments such as being called a "n***er" and faced physical intimidation with objects thrown at him. Despite numerous complaints to his supervisors about these incidents and other safety concerns, York asserts that no corrective action was taken by the company. Instead, he claims he was told to "just get along" with his attackers.
The complaint outlines several causes of action including failure to timely produce personnel files, race discrimination under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), hostile work environment harassment, retaliation in violation of FEHA and California Labor Code sections 1102.5 and 1102.6, failure to prevent or remedy discrimination or retaliation, and wrongful termination in violation of public policy. York's legal team argues that these actions were not only discriminatory but also retaliatory following his complaints about workplace conditions.
York is seeking substantial damages for both economic losses such as lost wages and benefits estimated at no less than $250,000, as well as non-economic damages for emotional distress caused by the alleged mistreatment. The complaint further demands punitive damages due to what it describes as malicious conduct by the defendants intended to harm York deliberately.
The case emphasizes York's belief that there exists a unity of interest between John Stewart Company and its managing agents which blurs individual separateness thus holding them jointly liable for the alleged misconducts. The plaintiff seeks injunctive relief compelling the company to produce complete personnel records while also demanding declaratory relief acknowledging violations under FEHA.
Representing Joe Nathan York Jr., attorneys Eli Banayan and Ariel Banayan are pushing for a jury trial where they aim to prove their client's allegations against John Stewart Company in court. The case is presided over by Judge Honorable with Case ID CGC-25-623588.