NEW YORK (JTA) — A federal jury found that a Mississippi man was fired from his casino job because he’s Jewish.
Marc Silverberg was fired from his job as food and beverage director at Sam’s Town Casino in August 2008 because of what his former employer claimed was poor performance.
Silverberg disagreed and sued. The jury found for Silverberg, awarding him $102,000 in back pay, $76,500 for mental anxiety and $400,000 in punitive damages.
"I didn’t do anything wrong. They put together a concerted effort to get rid of me because of my Jewish heritage," Silverberg told The Clarion-Ledger. "The jury vindicated me."
He now teaches at a culinary school in Memphis, where he said he makes 60 percent less than he did at the casino.
Silverberg said in his lawsuit that the trouble started when a new general manager was hired at the Tunica, Miss. casino. The manager apparently was prejudiced against people who didn’t share his ethnicity, and particularly "despised Silverberg because he was Jewish," according to the lawsuit.
Two former casino employees testified they heard the man refer to Silverberg as a goddamn "Jewish slug."
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
