Facts

In December 2003, Kevin Jones was hired as an Assistant Conductor for National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak, or Defendant). On November 27, 2013 Jones found a passenger's wallet on an Amtrak Surfliner train while performing routine maintenance and cleanup. The train station's Lost and Found office was closed so he took the wallet to the cashier's office. He spoke to two on-duty agents. Jones left with the wallet and mailed it to the address listed on the driver's license.

One of the on-duty agents reported the incident with Jones to the station manager and an investigation was initiated. He was charged with violating Amtrak policies and terminated in December 2013 following a disciplinary hearing.

Jones sued Amtrak for racial discrimination in employment, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and failure to prevent racial discrimination in employment.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Jones, an African-American man, contended that Amtrak improperly accused him of stealing money from a passenger and terminated his employment because of his race.

Result

The court granted Amtrak's motion for summary judgment, concluding that Jones could not satisfy his burden of showing discrimination and that his claims for wrongful termination and failure to prevent discrimination failed because they were derivative of his discrimination claim.

Other Information

FILING DATE: June 10, 2014.