CLEARWATER — An African-American Pinellas County woman is suing fast food restaurant operators, alleging racial discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Terrilyn Payton filed a complaint Dec. 17 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against JMCC LLC and Illas Management Company, alleging violation of the Florida Civil Rights Act.
According to the complaint, in mid-November 2017 she was terminated from her employment, leading to lost wages and benefits, embarrassment, humiliation, fear and anger.
The plaintiff alleges JMCC and Illas Management, which employed many Hispanic workers, subjected Payton to derogatory comments and harassment due her race and retaliated against her by terminating her for complaining about the treatment.
Payton seeks trial by jury, damages of more than $15,000, exclusive of interest, court costs and attorney fees. She is represented by attonrey Craig L. Berman of Berman Law Firm PA in St. Petersburg.
Pinellas County Circuit Court case number 18-8223-CI