On Saturday, January 11, 2025, REAL 92.3 LA reported that Judge Teresa Beaudet recused herself from a discrimination lawsuit against Disney Content Services Inc. The case was brought by Donald Stewart, a Black man who alleges wrongful termination due to racial discrimination and harassment he experienced at work.
Stewart’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses Disney of race discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, and failure to prevent a hostile work environment. The plaintiff contends that he was fired in 2022 after raising concerns about the display of the Confederate flag and a Donald Trump insignia in his workplace. He is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, although the amounts remain unspecified.
During a recent case management conference, Judge Beaudet announced her decision to remove herself from the proceedings. According to a minute order from her clerk, the judge cited her financial interest in Disney stock as the reason for her recusal. The case has since been transferred to another supervising judge for reassignment.
Disney’s legal team has argued that the California court lacks jurisdiction over Stewart’s claims, noting that he resides in Georgia and that the alleged incidents occurred outside of California. Stewart was hired as a health and safety manager in October 2020, and his lawsuit claims he was subjected to a racially hostile environment during his employment. This included witnessing the Confederate flag and Trump insignia in the workplace multiple times.
The lawsuit details several incidents that Stewart asserts contributed to the hostile environment. He claims that on his first day, he encountered a security guard who handed him a dirty iPad, which he refused to touch. Following this, he was directed to park far from the entrance, with others allegedly too busy to assist him.
Additionally, the suit describes derogatory remarks made by white employees, including comments suggesting that Black individuals “did not belong there” and other racially charged language. Stewart alleges that he faced discrimination when applying for promotions, as these opportunities were awarded to white employees despite his qualifications being equal or superior.
Stewart has reported that he complained to human resources about the racially discriminatory atmosphere but saw no changes implemented. He was terminated in June 2022, with the company citing reasons such as poor judgment and failure to adhere to safety protocols. Stewart disputes these claims, asserting they were fabricated only after he reported the discriminatory treatment. Since his termination, he has claimed to suffer from lost wages and emotional distress.
Source: REAL 92.3 LA
