Former Philly-Area Starbucks Manager Claims White Discrimination

PHILADELPHIA — The former regional manager for Starbucks in the Philadelphia area has filed a lawsuit against the coffee company, alleging discrimination against white employees, according to reports.

Shannon Phillips, of New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming Starbucks punished white workers after the arrest of two young black men, Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, in April 2018 at the 18th and Spruce location, which fell under Phillips' regional manager purview, according to Action News.

Phillips, who said she was later fired after complaining to Starbucks about the alleged white discrimination, said the white employees were not involved the incident.

Jory Mendes, Starbucks Senior Manager Corporate Communications, said the company is ready to fight the case.

"We deny any claims in the lawsuit," Mendes told Patch. "We are prepared to defend our case in court."

She says her termination was an effort by Starbucks to show it handled the Center City incident properly, NBC10 reports.

Additionally, KYW News reports Phillips claims the district manager of the Center City store, who is black, did not face any disciplinary action following Nelson and Robinson's arrest.

Phillips' lawyer is seeking a jury trial in the suit, according to KYW.