Arriola Barber Shop and its owner are being sued by a man in Texas, who claims that he was refused service.
Scotty Riggans, an African-American man, filed a complaint against the shop on July 30th, citing a federal violation because the barber would not cut his hair.
According to the Southeast Texas Record, Riggans allegedly visited the barber shop on June 19, 2012 and was refused the haircut that he asked for. He claims that the barber said that he would allegedly lose customers if he cut Riggins’ hair.
“In short, defendants Arriola Barber Shop and James Arriola refused to contract with and/or provide services to Plaintiff Scotty Riggans as a result of his race, African-American,” the lawsuit states, according to the local report.
The plaintiff, Scotty Riggins, is allegedly asking that the defendants stop the discriminatory practice of not providing services to African-American customers. Riggins is also seeking monetary compensation for mental, psychological, and emotional damages, as well as the fees associated with the court process.
TheGrio has called Arriola Barber Shop for comment, and James Arriola refused to comment on his personal behalf or that of the business.
Arriola and the barber shop are accused of violating title 42 of the United States Code that deals with the issue of civil rights. This code makes it unlawful for a business to discriminate against customers or withhold their services based on that customer’s race. According to a report in t he local paper, the defendants are also accused of intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The case was filed in the Lufkin Division of the Eastern Division of Texas, and will be heard by U.S. District Judge Ron Clark. The district clerk’s office has confirmed that a complaint was filed by Mr. Riggans, and a summons was delivered to and returned by the defendants.
It is unknown whether the complaint will manifest in the court room.