MIAMI (AP) – A jury ruled that Florida International University discriminated against a black employee when it reorganized his department and fired him in 2004.

Friday's decision means the school must now pay Sean St. Louis $2.5 million in damages, but FIU says it will appeal.

 

 

St. Louis's attorney says her client worked at FIU for seven years before the university decided to reorganize his department – which had a high percentage of black employees – and to lay off the staff and force workers to reapply for their jobs.

St. Louis and five other black employees were never rehired.

The case of the other five employees goes to court later this year.

FIU President Modesto Maidique says the school does not tolerate discrimination.