Ex-Hawks Employee Sues, Claims Discrimination Against Whites

Fired Atlanta Hawks employee sues team, claims discrimination against white employees

The Atlanta Hawks are being sued by a former employee who accused the team of discriminating against whites and dismissing her following her complaints, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

According to the report, Margo Kline, who is white, filed suit against the Hawks last week. Kline also filed an employment discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Kline, who was a community development coordinator for the team before being fired last year, is seeking punitive damages and a trial.

Kline alleges that Hawks external affairs director David Lee promoted a culture of discrimination against white people, and especially white women, the lawsuit states.

Lee is black.

According to the lawsuit, Lee made jokes about "white culture" and was dismissive towards white employees.

“We take all claims of discrimination seriously and have performed a thorough review of these baseless claims. The case was quickly dismissed at the EEOC level. We deny these claims and will vigorously defend against them," the Hawks said in a statement.