By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR has settled a $225 million lawsuit filed by a former official who said she was subjected to racial discrimination and sexual harassment during her two-plus years working for the stock-car organization. The suit was settled during a Dec. 3 mediation held in New York between Mauricia Grant and NASCAR. Settlement terms were confidential. Neither side admitted liability or wrongdoing, according to NASCAR.
"We're glad to have the case settled on mutually acceptable terms," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Thursday. "NASCAR remains dedicated to maintaining a professional work environment for all employees at all times, and we wish Ms. Grant well in her future endeavors."
Grant's attorney, Benedict P. Morelli of New York-based Morelli Ratner PC, did not immediately return a call from the AP for comment.
NASCAR settles $225 million suit with ex-official....
By JENNA FRYER
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Two officials suspended by NASCAR are accused in a $225 million lawsuit of exposing themselves to a former co-worker, the Associated Press has learned.
Tim Knox and Bud Moore have been placed on indefinite administrative paid leave.
NASCAR will not reveal the identities of the officials sent home Friday from Kentucky Speedway, but a person familiar with the investigation confirmed to AP on Saturday that Knox and Moore were suspended. The person requested anonymity because NASCAR's investigation is ongoing.
MORE....
Special to the Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
A former NASCAR official is suing the sanctioning body for $225 million for alleged racial and sexual harassment.
Mauricia Grant, who worked for the NASCAR Busch Series from 2005 through much of 2007, alleges she was fired two months after complaining of race and gender discrimination and harassment by series officials, including series director Joe Balash.
"(Grant's) firing was because she was a black woman subjected to a different performance standard than her white male co-workers, and because she had complained of race and gender discrimination and harassment," states the federal lawsuit, a copy of which was provided by Grant's attorney.
Grant details several instances of alleged racial and sexual harassment in her complaint. Among those were that she was nicknamed "Nappy Headed Mo" by one official, was asked by Balash if her exercise program included "an urban obstacle course with a flat-screen TV on your back" and that other officials used racial slurs around her.
MORE....
