Former bellhop alleges racial discrimination by hotel group
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A former bellhop at a Rhode Island Marriott hotel has sued the company, alleging it tolerates a culture of discrimination and retaliation against African Americans.
Kaseam C. Seales, 23, of East Providence, is suing his former employer, Marriott Hotel Services Inc., and Marriott International Inc., over his firing in March 2018 for reasons he says were discriminatory and in retaliation for his complaints about racist behavior by colleagues and supervisors, according to The Providence Journal.
While working at the Newport Marriott, he alleges the company violated his civil rights under state and federal law, as well as state fair employment practices; and engaged in unfair retaliation against him in violation of the Rhode Island Whistleblower Protection Act.
A Marriott spokeswoman declined to comment on the suit when reached by the newspaper.
Seales in the suit said despite his “exemplary” and “dedicated” history and great reviews, he was fired, with little to no investigation, based on a coworker’s false accusation that he vaped marijuana while on the job.
He alleges he was fired based on stereotypical beliefs based on his race and in retaliation for his complaints about systemic racism at the hotel.