BENTON - Gregory Clark, a white grandfather of black children, claims American Legion Post 365 in Collinsville fired him for reporting a white co-worker’s racist comments.
Nathan Volheim of Lombard filed a discrimination and retaliation suit for Clark at U.S. district court on March 28.
“Plaintiff is a member of a protected class because he has grandchildren that are African American,” he wrote.
“Plaintiff can show that the adverse employment actions and the discrimination are solely because of race,” he added.
Volheim claimed Post 365 hired Clark for building maintenance in 2022.
He claimed Clark met or exceeded Post 365’s expectations and never received a negative performance remark.
Volheim claimed Clark complained of offensive comments and racial slurs by employee Robert Dawtrey and was told he had to get used to him.
He claimed Post 365 reduced Clark's hours in retaliation, and post commander Jesse baselessly accused him of not doing his job.
He added that Dawtrey threw a sign at Clark, but no investigation was launched and no remedial action was taken.
Volheim claimed Post 365 terminated Clark last November.
He claimed sudden termination shocked Clark because he was given a favorable review in October and no issues were brought up at that time.
He claimed Post 365 demonstrated solidarity with Dawtrey.
Volheim alleges Clark suffered severe humiliation and degradation and is entitled to back pay with interest, front pay, lost benefits, compensatory damages and punitive damages.
Volheim filed 37 suits at district court in the last year and a half, and 18 remain pending.
Post 365 operates at 1022 Vandalia Street.