Allegations of workplace discrimination have been raised in a new federal lawsuit that claims an employee was subjected to derogatory comments and ultimately fired after reporting unfair treatment related to his race, national origin, and disabilities. The complaint was filed by Walter Parizon in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on March 5, 2026, naming Oxford Hotels and Resorts, LLC as the defendant.
According to the filing, Parizon began working as a maintenance engineer at The Godfrey Hotel Detroit in February 2024. He alleges that he performed his job duties well and was never disciplined or terminated due to performance issues prior to the events described in the complaint. Parizon identifies himself as a male of Mexican and Hungarian descent with conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and obesity—both of which he states substantially impair daily activities but did not prevent him from performing his job.
The lawsuit outlines several instances where Parizon claims he was subjected to inappropriate remarks from both his general manager, Kevin Johnson, and his direct supervisor. According to the complaint, Johnson allegedly made repeated comments about Parizon’s weight such as “why is your wife with you, you’re fat?” and “Walter, you need to lose weight.” Additionally, Johnson is accused of making statements referencing Parizon’s Mexican heritage including “ICE haven’t got you yet?”, “What are you going to do when I call ICE on you?”, and “I’m going to deport you.”
Parizon also alleges that African American employees at the hotel were treated differently by management compared to him. He states that leave requests from African American co-workers were regularly granted while his own advance requests were declined. The complaint further claims that after he reported this disparate treatment to the corporate office in May 2025, he was written up for alleged poor performance—a charge he describes as undocumented and false—and subsequently accused of misconduct before being terminated around June 8, 2025.
The legal action brings multiple counts against Oxford Hotels and Resorts under both federal law—including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—and state law through Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) and Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA). In each count related to national origin or race discrimination under Title VII or ELCRA, Parizon asserts that his background was “at least one factor” in creating a hostile work environment or influencing his termination. He contends that had he been “a person of different national origin” or “of different race or color,” he would not have faced such treatment.
Regarding disability discrimination under ADA and PWDCRA statutes, Parizon alleges that management regarded him as disabled due to obesity and rheumatoid arthritis despite his ability to perform essential job functions. The complaint argues that firing him because of these conditions violated protections provided by both federal and state laws.
The suit details injuries claimed by Parizon as a result of these alleged actions: “loss of wages and benefits; humiliation and embarrassment; mental and emotional distress; loss of ordinary pleasures of everyday life;” along with pecuniary losses tied directly to employment opportunities lost after discharge.
Parizon seeks damages for lost wages, benefits, emotional distress, humiliation, embarrassment, physical pain, anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, as well as any other nonpecuniary losses resulting from what he describes as intentional or reckless conduct by Oxford Hotels’ management. He also demands a jury trial on all appropriate claims asserted in the complaint.
The case is represented by attorney Jeffrey S. Burg for Walter Parizon. The case number is 2:26-cv-10750-MAG-KGA.
Source: 226cv10750_Walter_Parizon_v_Oxford_Hotels_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan..pdf
