MATTHEWS, N.C. -- The operators of a Matthews Golden Corral restaurant have agreed to pay $85,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

  • Sean Fernandez worked as a dishwasher at the restaurant
  • Fernandez has high-functioning autism
  • Lawsuit claims he was called names and was threatened by a manager

Former dishwasher, Sean Fernandez, filed the lawsuit against the company. Fernandez has high-functioning autism which limits his ability to communicate with others.

According to the suit, an assistant manager at the restaurant repeatedly called Fernandez the "R" word and "stupid", asked for oral sex and threatened sexual assault. Fernandez eventually quit for fear of seeing the man again.

In addition to the $85,000 dollar, Jax LLC, who operates the buffet chain, agreed to implement an anti-discrimination policy and conduct annual training.

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