TAMPA — A car salesman is suing Jenkins Nissan Inc., a Lakeland dealership, citing alleged religious discrimination.
Leonardo Guzman III filed a complaint on March 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Jenkins Nissan alleging that his former employer breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, on March 28, 2016, he suffered emotional pain and mental anguish as a result of the defendant's wrongful conduct of terminating his employment on some pretext, when in fact, plaintiff alleges he was fired because of his religious practices and observances. Initially, plaintiff was provided with the accommodation to have Sundays off in respect for his religion. However, defendant allegedly withdrew the accommodation without any reasonable explanation but merely threatened plaintiff to report on Easter Sunday or deal with termination. The plaintiff holds Jenkins Nissan Inc. responsible because it allegedly failed to provide plaintiff with a reasonable accommodation for his religious practices and observances, in spite of being notified beforehand and having knowledge of the situation.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant, declaratory relief, damages from back pay and lost wages, compensatory and punitive damages, costs, attorney's fees, interest and further relief as the court deems just. He is represented by Michael A. Serrano of The Law Firm of Michael A. Serrano PA in Lutz.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Case number 17-cv-00703