Florida Yacht Crew Firm Faces Damages Over Discriminatory Email

A Fort Lauderdale, Florida company that hires crews for yachts is facing damages after an employee accidentally sent an email to an applicant saying she wasn’t hired because she’s black and overweight.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Broward County says Luxury Yacht Group must pay Diane Melton almost $200,000 in damages and fees.

The employee who interviewed Melton recommended her for hiring. But a supervisor wrote in an email that she accidentally sent to Melton that she shouldn’t be hired because she is black and overweight. The supervisor added that the email should be deleted.

Company owner Rupert Connor said his business is being treated unfairly. He said he hires people of all backgrounds. The employee who sent the email now works for Connor in France.