Discrimination Lawsuit Against Washington State DOT

Elton Mason, owner of Washington State Trucking, has filed a discrimination lawsuit against WSDOT, Seattle Tunnel Partners and other entities with the U.S. District Court in Seattle. The lawsuit, filed last week, alleges racial discrimination and retaliation with regards to Washington State Trucking’s participation on the Alaskan Way Viaduct Tunnel Project.

Mason and his attorney, Beverly Grant, announced the lawsuit at a press conference this week.

The lawsuit is based on what Mason and Grant allege are gross and egregious breaches of state and federal laws as it relates to Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation on federally assisted contracts in Washington State and the prohibition against discrimination and retaliation in public works contracting.

“It’s been completely frustrating dealing with governmental agencies that fail to do the right thing,” Says Mason. “Even with companies that are qualified to be in the program, we have to make sure that there is a level playing field in the industry.”

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