A federal jury has awarded more than $6.25 million to three former employees of the Detroit Club who alleged they faced retaliation after reporting racial discrimination against African American patrons and staff.
The nine-day trial concluded June 25 in U.S. District Court in Detroit, where the jury found in favor of plaintiffs Victoria Baugh, Miya Hooks and Charles Lisée. According to a press release issued by their attorneys, the jury awarded a combined $6,253,010 in damages against the Detroit Club and owner Lynn Kassotis Uralli.
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged the three employees suffered retaliation after raising concerns that the club selectively enforced its dress code against African American guests while allowing white patrons wearing similar attire to enter.
Baugh, a former front desk associate, testified she filed internal complaints after witnessing what she believed was discriminatory treatment of Black patrons. According to the lawsuit, she was later fired after objecting to comments allegedly made by Uralli, including referring to an African American individual as a “street rat.” Jurors also saw text messages in which Uralli allegedly wrote that Baugh “needs to go” because of the “racist stuff,” according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
Hooks, a former bartender at the club’s Bohemia restaurant, testified she observed Black patrons being denied entry or asked to leave because of their clothing, while similarly dressed white patrons were admitted. Her former supervisor testified she was instructed to terminate Hooks after she accused Uralli of being racist, according to the press release.
The jury also awarded Hooks $20 in back pay, matching the amount allegedly deducted from her final paycheck for a bottle of champagne that had been given to her as a gift.
Lisée, another former bartender, alleged he repeatedly reported concerns about discrimination and ultimately resigned after Baugh’s termination. According to the lawsuit, Uralli later sent text messages threatening to “destroy” him and damage his career.
The plaintiffs’ attorneys also said the defendants were sanctioned during pretrial discovery after allegedly failing to produce documents related to prior discrimination complaints and other records sought in the litigation.
“The Plaintiffs were terminated for the selfless act of standing up against the discrimination of others,” attorney Jack W. Schulz said in a statement. “Ultimately, the jury issued a verdict validating Plaintiffs’ courage and affirming that it is worth confronting bigotry.”
The case was heard by U.S. District Judge Linda V. Parker.
The verdict comes after Uralli and other Detroit Club owners reached a $357,669 civil settlement with the U.S. government in 2025 to resolve allegations they improperly obtained forgiveness for portions of two federal Paycheck Protection Program loans issued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Justice Department alleged the club sought forgiveness for $167,040 in lease expenses that were not eligible under program rules. The settlement resolved allegations under the False Claims Act and included no admission or determination of liability.
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Federal jury awards $6.25M to former employees of Detroit Club
Reporting by Max Reinhart, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Max Reinhart, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
