Federal Judge Denounces ‘Awful, Pervasive Racism’ at Tesla Factory in Landmark Decision
FREMONT, Calif. – A federal court judge has denied Tesla’s request to reduce a $3 million punitive damages award to a Black former worker, citing pervasive racism at the company’s electric car factory in Fremont. Judge William Orrick described the actions of Tesla as “grievously reprehensible” and emphasized the pervasiveness of racist conduct by coworkers, subordinates, and supervisors. Tesla had sought to cut the damages award to $1,575,000, arguing that the initial amount approved by Orrick was too high. However, the judge maintained that the $3 million punitive damages award was appropriate given the endemic … Read more