Newark-based Continental Auto Parts will pay out $75,000.
NEWARK -- A Newark-based auto parts company will pay a Camden County man $75,000 in a settlement over its alleged discriminatory hiring practices, according to the state attorney general's office.
Lindenwold resident Anthony Sturgis, who is black, in his 50s and worked for years as a delivery driver in the security industry, will receive $55,000 following claims that Continental Auto Parts didn't hire him because of his age and race. Another four applicants who apparently encountered age issues will share in $20,000.
"Our adult population is growing and projected to increase substantially. For example, New Jersey ranks 10th in the nation in terms of the number of residents age 60 and older," said attorney general's office Division on Civil Rights Director Craig Sashihara.
A three-count Superior Court complaint against Continental -- which operates stores in New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York -- claiming multiple New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) violations was filed in October 2015.
According to the attorney general's office, Sturgis told investigators that a branch manager at Continental's Mount Laurel location seemed "enthusiastic" during a Nov. 2012 phone conversation after he responded to an online Craigslist "driver wanted" posting.
During an in-person interview, however, Sturgis claims the manager was "markedly cooler," according to the attorney general's office. Further, he said he was asked LAD-prohibited questions about age and health. A follow-up interview never materialized and calls to Continental weren't returned.
According to Sturgis' lawsuit against Continental, he parked across the street from the company's facility and did not see a single driver who was black. At that point, Sturgis "concluded he had been discriminated against."
State attorney general's office divisions investigated, with Continental later claiming it had never posted such an ad on Craigslist. That opening was later subpoenaed and a company representative late blamed the discrepancy on disconnect between Mount Laurel and headquarters.
At least four more qualified applicants were passed over due to age, according to the attorney general's office, which adds that Continental later placed the same ad in 2013 and hired two "considerably younger and less experienced" drivers. According to Sturgis' lawsuit, neither of the two drivers hired were black.
Under the terms of the settlement, Continental must submit to two years of state monitoring, revise workplace policies, refrain from asking about applicant ages and provide any job applications received during a hiring process.
"Practical work experience should be valued, not held against an applicant. The promise of success through experience and hard work rings hollow if employers are making personnel decisions based on unfounded stereotypes about older workers," said Sashihara.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.