ST. LOUIS — A former GoJet Airlines flight attendant has sued the airline, alleging he was subjected to race-based discrimination and harassment during training, retaliated against after complaining about the treatment and wrongfully terminated from his job.
Terrence Marshall, a Black man, filed the lawsuit Sept. 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division. The complaint alleges violations of Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII, including race-based discrimination, harassment, creation of a hostile work environment and retaliation.
According to the complaint, Marshall was employed by GoJet as a flight attendant from about April 21, until his termination on or about May 11. He alleges that he performed his duties and met the company's legitimate business expectations throughout his employment.
Marshall alleges that problems began on his first day of training. He claims an instructor identified in the complaint as Margaret began yelling and screaming at him in front of the class without provocation.
The complaint identifies Margaret as an Indian woman and alleges Marshall was the only Black male in the class. He claims the aggressive treatment was directed solely at him and that other trainees who were not Black were not treated in the same manner.
The complaint alleges the treatment continued throughout Marshall's training, particularly when he asked questions concerning safety and training procedures. Marshall says he raised concerns about the treatment with another instructor, identified as Rachael, in April.
He allegedly told Rachael that he felt targeted, was being yelled at and publicly humiliated, and believed the treatment was related to his race.
Marshall alleges he was advised to first speak with Margaret about the situation and, if it could not be resolved, to report the matter to Christine, identified as a director.
According to the complaint, GoJet did not investigate his allegations of race-based discrimination and harassment.
Marshall then spoke directly with Margaret, with another employee, identified as Robert, present. He allegedly explained that being yelled at publicly was degrading and insulting and that he believed the conduct was connected to his race.
The complaint states Margaret responded, “you have not seen yelling yet,” before dismissing him. Marshall alleges the hostile treatment continued despite his complaints.
The complaint says that on May 11, Marshall received a write-up for not having his badge. When he returned to class, he alleges Margaret again yelled at him publicly, slammed her hand on a desk and left to get Christine.
Later that day, Marshall says Christine told him to collect his belongings and brought him into a separate office, where she allegedly began screaming and yelling at him.
Marshall alleges he asked to speak with someone from Human Resources. According to the lawsuit, Christine then characterized him as a “threat” and called police to detain him.
When officers arrived, the complaint says they questioned Christine and Marshall and were confused about where the alleged threat was.
During that conversation, Marshall allegedly told police he believed he was being targeted because he was Black and because he was the only Black man in the class.
The complaint alleges Christine and GoJet's security supervisor, who Marshall identifies as Caucasian, told him he was “playing the race card.” Marshall further alleges Christine said this was something “you people” do.
Marshall says Christine terminated his employment during the same conversation. After the termination, he alleges Christine asked police to remove him from the premises for trespassing. According to the complaint, Marshall calmly left with police, who waited with him as he departed.
Marshall returned to the hotel where he had been staying during his training, but alleges hotel staff stopped and questioned him. He claims he was told GoJet had contacted the hotel and described him as a security threat.
The complaint says hotel staff, who had gotten to know Marshall during his stay, were confused by the instruction and did not assign security personnel to watch him.
Following his termination, Marshall alleges he sent two emails to Tamela Hoevel, GoJet's director of in-flight services, documenting and recapping the discrimination, harassment and retaliation he says he experienced.
The complaint also states another Black trainee, identified as Amia, reported experiencing similar treatment. Marshall further alleges coworkers submitted letters supporting his claims and corroborating the discriminatory and harassing treatment he described.
Marshall's lawsuit alleges that GoJet discriminated against and harassed him because of his race and retaliated against him for making complaints about the alleged conduct.
He claims the company subjected him to an unlawful hostile work environment and took adverse employment actions against him, including termination.
He alleges the conduct resulted in lost wages and employment benefits, emotional distress, humiliation, mental anguish and other compensable damages.
On the retaliation claim in the lawsuit, Marshall alleges he reasonably complained to supervisors, management and other personnel about race-based discrimination and harassment.
He claims GoJet failed to conduct a prompt, thorough and objective investigation and failed to take necessary precautions to prevent the alleged conduct from recurring.
He alleges his termination was among the adverse employment actions taken against him in retaliation for making the complaints.
Marshall is seeking back pay, interest on recoverable back pay and benefits, front pay, loss of benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, and any other relief the court determines to be appropriate. He has requested that all issues be submitted to and determined by a jury. He is represented by Nathan C. Volheim and Sophia Steere of Sulaiman Law Group.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division case number: 4:26-cv-01493
