Walgreens Defeats Ex-Worker Bias Appeal Over Alleged Racial Slur

A White Walgreens maintenance mechanic who was fired for allegedly using the term “wetback” when speaking to a Mexican co-worker saw his discrimination and defamation lawsuit loss affirmed on appeal.

Robert Marvel’s allegation that his co-worker misunderstood him saying “wet vac,” and not “wetback,” is insufficient to support his race discrimination claim, the California Court of Appeal, Third District, ruled Wednesday. The court also affirmed summary judgment in favor of Walgreens on his defamation claim, holding he couldn’t prove it acted with malice.

Marvel worked at Walgreens’ distribution center in Woodland, Calif., as an at-will employee, according to the opinion. ...