A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major automotive company, alleging racial discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. Maxwell Wilkerson lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas on December 1, 2025, accusing Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Inc., operating as Grapevine Ford, of various unlawful employment practices.
The case unfolds with Wilkerson, a Black American and disabled veteran, recounting his experience at Grapevine Ford starting in July 2021. He began as a new car salesperson under the supervision of Justin Villa and quickly excelled, earning accolades such as “Salesperson of the Year” in 2022. However, following Villa’s departure, Wilkerson claims that his work environment became hostile under new management led by Juan Carranza. Allegations include derogatory remarks and unjustified changes to his work schedule which forced him to resign from one department before being recruited into another.
Wilkerson describes an environment rife with discrimination where he was allegedly subjected to racial slurs by Zac Grogen and unequal treatment compared to white colleagues. He claims that management imposed caps on his commissions without disclosure while allowing white employees full earnings. Additionally, he accuses Andrew Boaz of sexual harassment that went unreported due to fear of retaliation within a culture of favoritism.
The plaintiff asserts that these actions culminated in severe anxiety attacks necessitating medical leave—a request initially denied by manager Dru Kaba until intervention by HR. Despite high performance metrics, Wilkerson alleges retaliatory reassignment from lucrative sales teams based on favoritism rather than merit. He further details discriminatory practices in customer assignments based on race and credit assumptions.
Wilkerson seeks comprehensive relief including back pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, economic damages for lost earnings capacity, attorneys’ fees, and exemplary damages for what he describes as intentional or grossly negligent acts by the defendant’s management team.
Represented by attorney W.D. Masterson from Kilgore & Kilgore PLLC, Wilkerson demands a jury trial to address grievances against Berkshire Hathaway Automotive Inc., citing violations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act concerning discrimination based on race and sex/gender alongside disability discrimination under ADA provisions. The case is presided over by Judge Reed O’Connor with Case ID 4:25-cv-01344-O.
Source: 425cv01344_Maxwell_Wilkerson_v_Berkshire_Hatway_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Texas.pdf
