Supreme Court Upholds MGM Victory in Discrimination Lawsuit

Background of the MGM Discrimination Case

A longstanding discrimination lawsuit involving MGM’s National Harbor casino has concluded after the United States Supreme Court declined to review the case. This confirmed a jury’s decision in favor of MGM Resorts. The lawsuit was filed by a former retail manager who alleged she was forced out of her position due to her lighter skin color.

Escalation of Workplace Conflict

The conflict began in 2017 when the plaintiff was hired as a retail manager at a boutique inside the Maryland resort. Initially, she successfully improved store management and sales. However, tensions arose when a senior Black executive with a darker complexion returned from leave. The plaintiff claimed her role was undermined and that management began favoring employees with darker skin tones. A notable incident occurred during a high-profile store event where her work was publicly undone, leading to her being escorted out by security and subsequently receiving a separation notice the next day.

MGM’s Response and Legal Proceedings

MGM denied all allegations of discrimination, maintaining there was no biased intent behind the plaintiff’s dismissal and rejecting claims of differential treatment based on skin color. The contrasting accounts led to a protracted legal dispute lasting several years. Initially, a federal judge dismissed the case, but an appellate court revived the specific claim regarding skin tone discrimination, allowing the case to proceed to trial focused narrowly on whether skin color influenced termination decisions.

Outcome and Supreme Court’s Decision

Ultimately, a jury found insufficient evidence to prove that color bias factored into the plaintiff’s termination, a verdict later upheld upon appeal. In her last effort to challenge the decision, the plaintiff argued procedural errors and challenges representing herself hindered her case. Nonetheless, the Supreme Court denied her petition without comment, leaving MGM’s favorable ruling intact.

Ongoing Discrimination Lawsuits Against MGM

This case is one among several discrimination lawsuits faced by MGM. Another ongoing case involves MGM Grand Detroit, where a former employee alleges he was subjected to mockery and humiliation related to his disabilities and was terminated after reporting this mistreatment. That suit continues and may develop into a prolonged legal battle.