A federal judge in Georgia dismissed racial discrimination claims that Lisa Jackson, a former employee of Paula Deen, made against the famous chef. However, experts say that Deen will not be able to make a comeback despite this ruling in her favor.
According to ABC News, Jackson's suit alleged that while she was working at a restaurant co-owned by Deen and her brother, Bubba Hiers, she was subjected to racial discrimination and sexual harassment. While Jackson's sexual harassment claims were not stricken down, US District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. ruled that because Jackson is white, she has no basis to sue Deen for racial discrimination.
In his 20-page opinion, he also stated that, “There are no allegations that defendant Hiers’s racially offensive comments were either directed toward plaintiff or made with the intent to harass her." In the deposition that Deen, 66, gave for the case, she admitted that she had used the N-word long ago. In the aftermath of this bombshell, Food Network, Wal-Mart, and QVC severed ties with Deen. Needless to say, Deen has lost millions of dollars as a result of her contracts with these companies coming to an abrupt halt.
In response to the ruling, Deen's rep released a statement. “We are pleased with the court’s ruling today that Lisa Jackson’s claims of race discrimination have been dismissed,” the Deen's camp said. “As Ms. Deen has stated before, she is confident that those who truly know how she lives her life know that she believes in equal opportunity, kindness and fairness for everyone.”
However, USA Today reports that PR executives predict that the break for Paula Deen is too little, too late. The damage to her reputation has already been done, and Deen will not be able to resurrect her career now that narrative about her not being the sweet Southerner that she seemed to be has been accepted, experts say.
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