According to the lawsuit obtained by West Kentucky Star, Armando Rivera Hernandez of Puerto Rico is suing Mayfield Consumer Products, LLC, Chief Financial Officer David Burch, and any unknown officers or managers of MCP for violating civil rights laws when they fired him.
In the suit, Hernandez claims he and others from Puerto Rico were recruited and convinced by the defendants to move to Mayfield and work at the factory in the summer of 2019. Hernandez admits he is obese, and says that when the company and its leadership learned that some of the workers they had recruited had physical limitations, medical conditions or disabilities, Hernandez and others were wrongfully terminated.
The plaintiff says Burch confirmed this reasoning in a text message from Burch on or about August 2, saying that the company was, "working diligently to clean up the epileptic, obese, pregnant and special needs issues."
The lawsuit claims the defendants' actions violated the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, and whether or not the person smokes (see links).
The civil suit filed on January 30 requests a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages, and any attorney or court fees. An amount was not specified.
The Graves County Circuit Court Clerk confirmed to West Kentucky Star that exhibits and an entry of appearance were filed on February 17, indicating that Mayfield attorney Bo Neely is representing Mayfield Consumer Products.
Neely could not comment on the suit, but did provide a written statement from MCP Plant Manager Michael Staten.
The statement says, "Mayfield Consumer Products, with seasonally up to 600 hundred employees at its Mayfield manufacturing facility, operates in a manner that respects all employees and provides a great work environment. We are aware of the meritless lawsuit brought by a former employee, and while this matter is before the Court, we will limit our comments accordingly, other than Mayfield Consumer Products always has and always will abide by Kentucky Labor Laws."
On the Net:
KRS 344.040Lawsuit document
