KANSAS CITY, Mo. — New allegations of discrimination in the Power and Light district have been filed in the form of a lawsuit. A former Mosaic nightclub bouncer claims he was fired after refusing to keep quiet. Four defendants with ties to the Power and Light District have been named in the lawsuit by a plaintiff seeking millions in damages.
Glen Cusimano said he worked for various venues connected with the Power and Light District, including at the Mosaic lounge. In his lawsuit filed in Jackson County, he claims he was promoted several times in a three-year period prior to being unfairly fired.
Cusimano, who is African-American, alleges in his suit that during his employment he was personally taught a harassment technique aimed at keeping black patrons away. Cusimano’s attorney says he was even ordered to employ what is known as a “rabbit,” a person who picks fights with patrons the defendants didn’t want around.
Those patrons would be told to leave after the fight. Before he was fired, Cusimano’s attorney says one of the so-called “rabbits” was ordered to pick a fight with him, which resulted in city assault charges and ultimately his dismissal.
“Mr. Cusimano suffered substantial damages. He was assaulted. He was extremely battered. There were false accusations made about him and circulated among a host of companies that are all involved with Power and Light and those defamed his reputation,” attorney Linda Dickens said.
FOX 4 heard back from the entertainment district’s developer, The Cordish Companies, which claimed Cusimano was fired for striking a defenseless patron and because he failed to disclose a history of criminal fraud. In an e-mailed statement Bob Fowler said Mosaic had no choice but to terminate Cusimano and a countersuit is being planned.