D/FW Airport fueler is sued by U.S. for Discrimination

The federal government has sued a New York company that fuels aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, alleging widespread discrimination against minority employees.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's Dallas office filed the suit Monday in federal court in Dallas against Allied Aviation Services. Allied has at least 15 employees based in the area, according to the suit, which seeks class status.

The suit says Allied's black and Hispanic employees were regularly harassed and threatened by white employees and management. Minority employees were also unfairly fired and denied promotion, according to the suit.

The suit seeks compensation and an injunction against further discrimination.

Three local employees, including Eric Mitchel, a running back for the Dallas Cowboys in the late 1980s and early 1990s, first complained about Allied to the commission. They were represented by New York law firm Leeds Morelli and Brown, known for civil-rights litigation.

Allied executives did not return phone calls Tuesday.

A spokesman for American Airlines confirmed that Allied refuels its aircraft at D/FW but declined to comment further. D/FW officials referred questions to Allied.

According to its Internet site, Allied also provides fuel services in Houston, Miami and Newark, N.J., among other cities. The company won the 2003 Silver Nozzle award for fueling excellence from the National Petroleum Management Association.