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Nascar settles $225 million legal claim with former official
A former Nascar official, who alleged she was the victim of racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination, settled her $225 million lawsuit against the stock-car racing league.
- Bloomberg
- Published: 09:49 December 19, 2008
New York: A former Nascar official, who alleged she was the victim of racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination, settled her $225 million lawsuit against the stock-car racing league.
Mauricia Grant, Nascar's first black female official, settled the complaint during a December 3 mediation in New York.
Terms of the agreement, in which neither side admitted liability or wrongdoing, were not disclosed in a statement.
"We're glad to have the case settled on mutually acceptable terms," Nascar spokesman Ramsey Poston said in a statement on Thursday. "Nascar remains dedicated to maintaining a professional work environment for all employees at all times and we wish Ms. Grant well in her future endeavors."
Grant's attorneys at New York-based Morelli Ratner PC did not answer calls seeking comment.
"Throughout her employment, Ms. Grant was subjected to virulent racism and sexual harassment by her co-workers and supervisors," Morelli Ratner said on its website before the settlement was reached. "When Ms. Grant complained, she was promptly fired."
The 32-year-old Grant was a technical inspector on the second-tier Nationwide Series until October 27, 2007, according to the complaint filed June 10 in the US District Court in Manhattan.
She accused Nascar of permitting a "permissive and encouraging environment for racial and sexual discrimination and harassment among directors, managers, supervisors, officials and employees of the company against African-American and female employees," according to the filing.
Nascar is the biggest US racing league by sales and claims to be the No. 2 most-watched sport on US television behind the National Football League.
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