Gerry Lane discrimination suit filed in federal court

Published Aug 17, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Aug 17, 2012)

Ten former and one current employee of Gerry Lane Enterprises filed a lawsuit in federal district court today against the company and Gerald R. Lane personally, alleging racial and sexual harassment and discrimination. The plaintiffs say they've suffered physical, mental and emotional distress, along with loss of income and employment. They are seeking $10 million and requesting a jury trial. The plaintiffs are proceeding without the support of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which declined to pursue a suit after an investigation earlier this summer. Attorney Joseph Long says his clients did not participate in the EEOC investigation, choosing instead to have their say in court. Gerry Lane Enterprises says the suit is without merit. "We are proud of the working environment we have created at Gerry Lane Enterprises with our team members and of the successes we create together every day as part of the Baton Rouge community," company Vice President Eric Lane says in a statement released Aug. 1, after the EEOC investigation was completed and they said no federal discrimination lawsuit would be pursued against the company. Check out the full 29-page lawsuit for yourself here; and see a previous story from Daily Report on a similar suit filed in district court by former employees here. —David Jacobs