Feds intervene in claims of racial slurs at Mooresville restaurant

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A woman claims her co-worker at a local restaurant repeatedly used racial slurs against her and even dumped hot barbecue sauce on her.

The federal government is now getting involved and suing Lancaster's BBQ & Wings restaurant in Mooresville.

Eyewitness News anchor Allison Latos uncovered the lawsuit in court records and spoke exclusively with the worker, who said she's never been treated so badly simply because of the color of her skin.

For decades, Lancaster's BBQ & Wings has been serving up eastern North Carolina-style pork, brisket and ribs.

The Mooresville restaurant boasts a family-fun atmosphere, but former employee Shana Knox said she faced racism while working there.

“I was mad because there's no reason this should still be going on just because of the color of someone's skin,” Knox said.

Knox worked in the carryout area from March 2016 to January 2017 but said a white co-worker repeatedly harassed her by using racial slurs.

She said the co-worker caused her to quit that day.

“He picked up a cup of the hot barbecue sauce and threw it in my eye and my chest,” Knox said. “I was so shocked and stunned.”

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a federal lawsuit this week against Lancaster's BBQ & Wings, claiming at least one manager witnessed the harassment but did not intervene.

“I’ve been practicing here since 2004, and I have never had a case where the EEOC filed suit on behalf of my client,” attorney Josh Van Kampen said.

Van Kampen represents Knox and plans to sue Lancaster's BBQ & Wings too.

Latos contacted the restaurant for a response but was told the only person who could speak to her about the lawsuit wasn't there.

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