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RandySF

(57,661 posts)
Sun Sep 6, 2020, 02:34 AM Sep 2020

MI-08: Junge Brags About His Family Company, But Supposedly "Had No Knowledge" Lawsuit

New reporting from the Lansing City Pulse describes a racially hostile work environment at Paul Junge’s family’s construction company when he worked there. In a suit against the company, three workers alleged that they endured “enough racism to last a lifetime” and that they were fired after complaining of a racially hostile work environment. The company was eventually ordered to pay more than $100,000 to the plaintiffs. Yet Junge, who uses his time at the family company to bolster his congressional campaign, claimed through a spokesperson that he had “no knowledge of… the court case” until the reporter brought it to his attention.

Statement from DCCC Spokesperson Courtney Rice:
“How is it possible that Paul Junge had ‘no knowledge’ of the court case brought against his family’s company, yet he continues to use the company as a proof point for his congressional campaign? Voters in Michigan deserve the truth from Paul Junge, particularly if he’s going to continue using the company in paid advertising to bolster his campaign.”

Lansing City Pulse: Slotkin opponent’s family business paid workers $100K over racial slurs

Kyle Melinn

The old family maintenance business of 8th Congressional candidate Paul Junge paid out $100,000 to three former workers who claimed they were insulted with numerous racial slurs at the workplace and were fired when they complained about it, according to court records. The revelation comes as Junge has made one of his calling cards during the campaign how his family business created “hundreds of jobs.”

[The plaintiffs] claimed they were “repeatedly” referred to by one All Star Maintenance carpenter as “sp*cs,” “stupid fucking Mexicans,” “burrito eating mother fuckers,” and “south-of-the-border friends.” Another All Star employee on the job site referred to an African American colleague as a “stupid (n-word).” Others testified that they, too, heard the offensive language.

[..W]hen McCowan, Luna and Guerrero complained, [the field manager] fired them, according to court records. As a result, the court in 2002 ordered that all three be paid $15,000 for enduring the hostile work environment and $20,000 each for being fired for complaining. All Star later paid out another $100,000 later to cover the former employees’ attorney fees.
“Paul had no knowledge of this incident, or even the court case until a reporter brought it to his intention,” a Junge campaign spokesperson said. “Paul opposes racial discrimination of any kind, and believes we must come together as a nation to confront not only bigotry and hate, but also the violent riots that have perverted the cause of equality.” However, it’s Junge who brought up his family company’s prolific job-creating record into the debate. In fact, Junge’s first TV advertisement leads with this. “I’m Paul Junge. I served as a prosecutor and helped build my family’s business, creating jobs” are the first words Junge says in the ad.



https://dccc.org/junge-brags-family-company-congressional-campaign-supposedly-knowledge-racial-discrimination-lawsuit/

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