WILLISTON, N.D. (AP) - A federal lawsuit has been filed against an oil company operating in North Dakota's oil patch accusing it of discriminating against a worker based on his race.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says Cudd Energy Services violated civil rights law by subjecting Alexis Villanueva to a racially hostile work environment because of his Asian race and then firing him.
The EEOC says Villanueva worked at Cudd's Williston location from February 2013 to July 2013 as an equipment operator. The lawsuit says he was verbally and physically harassed by his supervisor, who was white.
Cudd did not immediately respond Thursday to calls for comment placed to its Williston office and headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in North Dakota seeks back pay, financial damages and other relief.