Lawsuit against Baltimore mayor emerges amid EEOC call for discrimination cases with white, male plaintiffs

Andrew C. Freeman, a white Jewish former vice president of real estate development at East Baltimore Development Inc., has filed a federal lawsuit and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint against Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, alleging racial discrimination. Freeman claims he was terminated shortly after being promoted to vice president and that there was an attempt to rehire former chief real estate officer Karen Major Johnson, who was also fired. The lawsuit alleges that Freeman was unfairly terminated on the basis of race and cites a written acknowledgment from Cheryl Y. Washington, president and CEO of East Baltimore Development Inc., that she was instructed by Mayor Scott to terminate him. The suit characterizes the mayor's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives as giving opportunities simply because people check a box. The lawsuit comes at a time of federal scrutiny and changes surrounding DEI initiatives and the rise of "reverse discrimination" cases. In December 2025, Andrea Lucas, chair of the EEOC, posted on X encouraging white men who believe they experienced workplace discrimination to contact the agency. Rebecca Dixon, CEO of the National Employment Law Project, noted a sharp increase in political and legal attacks on DEI initiatives, more reverse discrimination claims, and a major shift in the EEOC's enforcement priorities. Legal experts interviewed by the AFRO noted that federal anti-discrimination laws apply equally to employees of all racial backgrounds, including white workers, though discrimination claims still require evidence that an employee was treated differently because of a protected characteristic. Dixon argued that the federal government is collapsing the distinction between unlawful discrimination and lawful efforts to address persistent labor market inequality. She noted that many DEI initiatives are still legal, including outreach, mentorship, broadening the recruitment pipeline, anti-bias training, inclusion initiatives, and efforts to address historical underrepresentation. Laurie E. Morrison, a New York-based employment and civil rights attorney, said white employees can and do bring legitimate workplace discrimination claims, but noted that such cases are receiving heightened political and public attention. Morrison said that public conversations surrounding these lawsuits can become politically divisive and shift focus away from broader workplace issues. Freeman's case is still pending.

(Source：Afro American Newspapers)