An employee for the Phoenix Suns has sued the team alleging discrimination, harassment based on race, and unlawful retaliation. It’s the second suit of its kind filed against the team since November.
The suit was filed by lawyers representing Gene Traylor in U.S. District Court in Arizona on Tuesday, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.
Traylor says he was hired by the Suns in January 2023 as the director of safety, security and risk management. He alleges a security presentation he gave to management that year led to retaliation and that he was eventually demoted.
ESPN first reported that the lawsuit had been filed. The Suns confirmed that Traylor still works for the team.
Traylor alleges the Suns failed multiple security tests, where plainclothes officers were able to smuggle weapons into the arena.
A Suns spokesperson called the allegations delusional and categorically false.
“Ms. Wright and her client have made absurd accusations of misconduct surrounding the security department of the Phoenix Suns. These allegations are delusional and categorically false,” said Stacey Mitch, the team's senior vice president of communications.
Traylor's suit is the latest legal action against the Suns. In November, Andrea Trischan sued the team, alleging racial discrimination and unlawful retaliation that led to her termination. Trischan was the team's former manager of diversity, equity and inclusion for about 10 months in 2022 and 2023.
That case is ongoing.
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