County Sues Yacht Company In Racial Discrimination Case

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) – Broward County has sued a yachting crew company for its refusal to pay a woman who won a discrimination suit against them.

Seven years ago, Diane Melton applied for a job with the Luxury Yacht Group. Shortly afterward she received an email from the company and was shocked at what she read.

Company representatives have said the email was sent by mistake. The employee who interviewed Melton recommended her for hiring. But a supervisor wrote in an email that she accidentally sent to Melton that she shouldn't be hired because she might not fit in with their clientele because she was "black and overweight," according to the Sun-Sentinel.  The supervisor added that the email should be deleted.

Two years ago, the county's human rights board ruled that the yacht company committed racial discrimination and ordered them to pay nearly $200,000 in damages and attorney fees.

When the Luxury Yacht Group refused to pay, the county got involved and used the court system to enforce the human rights board's ruling.

Company owner Rupert Connor said his business is being treated unfairly based on one email. He said he hires people of all backgrounds. He's appealed the human right's board order in circuit court.

Melton has also filed a suit against the company in federal court.

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