BLOOMFIELD HILLS (WWJ) -- Six employees at a popular steak and seafood joint in Bloomfield Hills have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the general manager alleging racist comments and practices.
Civil rights attorney Jon Marko has filed suit against Eddie Merlot's restaurant on Woodward Avenue at Big Beaver Road and the general manager on behalf of the employees.
Marko said his client, James Gaines -- a sous chef at the restaurant -- alleges the general manager, Curtis Nordeen, jokes about shoving watermelon down the throats of Black children, seats Black and white customers in different sections of the restaurant and tells Black servers to serve Black customers as it makes him more comfortable than having the white servers do so.
Gaines said the general manager "cultivates and encourages racist behavior" in the restaurant.
The lawsuit also alleges that Nordeen refers to Black people as "those people"; and Sundays as "Hat Day" to mock the way Black women are dressed coming to the restaurant after church.
Additionally, Nordeen allegedly refers to Black people as "lazy" and "slow."
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Marko said that his client and the five other workers walked out after confronting Nordeen about the alleged racism, saying that if he didn't change, they'd quit.
Nordeen reportedly said he couldn't change, but bribed the workers with a raise to stay.
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Marko said he'll leave it to a jury to decide how much money the employees get in "damages."
WWJ has calls and emails out seeking comment from the restaurant, the general manager and the the chain's main office.
