Lawsuit alleges discrimination, safety concerns at Greensboro-Randolph megasite

A federal lawsuit alleges a contractor at the Greensboro-Randolph megasite committed safety violations, retaliated against whistleblowers and engaged in racial discrimination.

In January 2022, Ames Construction was awarded nearly $18 million to build a Toyota battery plant at the site.

Lawyers for Vick Companies, a minority subcontractor, says their employees began reporting safety violations that year. The suit, filed in June, says they then faced racial discrimination and retaliation from Ames Construction.

An internal investigation by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, or NCDOT, concluded in 2023 that the construction company engaged in discriminatory acts. It recommended the case be turned over to the agency's general counsel.

But the suit alleges NCDOT failed to take adequate action after the review.

A spokesperson for the department said it doesn't generally comment on active litigation.

In a statement, Ames Construction said it "does not tolerate racial harassment at any of its sites or offices and takes appropriate action upon receiving report of such misconduct."