In a striking legal move, a former employee has accused his previous employer of racial discrimination and retaliation, sparking significant attention to workplace equality issues. Curtis T. Reed filed a complaint against Inland Residential Real Estate Services, LLC in the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on November 13, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Inland Residential Real Estate Services engaged in discriminatory practices that violated the Florida Civil Rights Act.

Curtis T. Reed, a 50-year-old Black male residing in Pinellas County, was employed by Inland from September 14, 2023, until May 1, 2024. During his tenure as a Maintenance Supervisor at the Addison on Long Bayou property in Seminole, Florida, Reed claims he faced persistent racial discrimination from his supervisor, Trisha Sweet. According to the complaint, Sweet exhibited “a rude, unprofessional, and racially discriminatory attitude” towards Reed from the outset of his employment. Reed asserts that Sweet refused to provide necessary training and assistance with work-related tasks while increasing his workload unfairly compared to other employees.

Reed’s allegations include instances where Sweet reportedly made racially charged comments and actions. For example, during a candidate interview process for a maintenance technician position on March 12, 2024, Sweet allegedly expressed preference for a White candidate over a Hispanic one due to language barriers despite both candidates being equally qualified according to Reed’s assessment. Additionally, Reed recounts being excluded from office communications and facing false accusations regarding his work performance.