An African-American restaurant worker is suing Steak N Shake, claiming he was unfairly accused of stealing and was refused promotion because of his race.
Saxon Allen filed a lawsuit on Sept. 18 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Steak N Shake Operations Inc., claiming he was a victim of discrimination based on his race at his former place of work at the defendant's Regency Park location in O'Fallen.
According to the complaint, Allen worked for the defendant from March 19 to Dec. 18, 2013. Allen alleges he was falsely accused of stealing a cellphone from the location manager on Dec. 18, 2013. Allen also claims he and the other African-American males were made to submit to search of their persons and automobiles, but no female or white workers were forced to do so. Allen says he was fired and escorted off the property, the complaint states.
The complaint also states that he was repeatedly refused promotion possibilities from fountain worker to server within the restaurant due to his race.
Allen is seeking reinstatement of his job as well as promotion opportunities, back pay and other benefits. He also seeks damages of more than $50,000, as well as attorney fees less than $25,000.
Allen is represented by attorney John H. Leskera of Leskera Law Firm in Collinsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-535.