6
news
Apr.105- February - Apr. 18, 2012 February 14
stoutonia.com stoutonia.com
A joke at Sparx ends in a Lawsuit Claire Mathiowetz Staff Writer Sparx, a local Menomonie restaurant, is facing a federal lawsuit on the basis of racial discrimination. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed the lawsuit against Sparx restaurant on March 27, 2012. According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, AfricanAmerican employee Dion Miller arrived at work in October 2010 and found a picture taped to a cooler of African-American actor Gary Coleman and a dollar bill, where George Washington’s face had been blackened and a noose drawn around his neck. The dollar bill also had drawings of swastikas and the image of a man in a Ku Klux Klan hood. When Miller complained about the images, Sparx managers in-
sisted that it was “a joke.” Miller was fired weeks after his complaining for allegedly having a “bad attitude.” However, the EEOC charged that Sparx, in fact, terminated Miller in retaliation for opposing race discrimination. The EOCC insists that such alleged conduct
violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lawsuit is filed against Sparx owners, Northern Star Hospitality Inc., after an unsuccessful attempt at reaching a pre-litigation settlement. According to the press release, “The EEOC is seeking injunctive relief to prevent future discrimination, as well as back pay, reinstatement, and compensatory and punitive damages.” The EEOC’s Chicago District Office is “responsible for processing discrimina-
tion charges, administrative enforcement, and the conduct of agency litigation in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and North and South Dakota, with Area Offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.” The EEOC is also “responsible for enforcing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.” “There is no management that works here now that was here when [the alleged incident] happened. It happened back in 2010 and there’s completely new management now,” said current manager Lisa Donnerbauer.
Matt Culbertson/Stoutonia
Sparx
11th Ave T ownhome
s
REALTY
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
OFF CAMPUS HOUSING PHOTOS ONLINE
RENTALS
Call today for your showing
These remaining units are going fast!
715.235.6000
11th Avenue Townhomes - 4 Bedroom/2 Bath - $1,100/month • NEW CONSTRUCTION • 2 car attached garage • Gas fireplace • Vaulted ceilings • A/C • Deck
• Wireless Internet Included! • Kitchen with island • Washer/Dryer included • Includes Lawn Care, Snow Removal & Garbage *Units are 4 bedroom units but we are able to sign groups of 3 people for $295/br $885 or 4 people for $275/br $1100
www.LancerGroupProperties.com