Baker To Pay $120M For Bias

Thu., Aug. 3, 2000

From Staff

The nation’s largest wholesale baker was ordered Wednesday to pay $120 million in punitive damages to black workers who said they suffered racial discrimination at a Wonder Bread plant.

The damage award came two days after a jury ordered Interstate Bakeries Corp., the Kansas City, Mo.-based company that produces Wonder Bread, Twinkies, Home Pride and Hostess Cupcakes, to pay $11 million in actual damages to 21 workers at the San Francisco plant.

“I’m numb. This is definitely way beyond my wildest imagination,” said Charles Wright, 52, a former deliveryman awarded a total of $16.2 million.

Lawyers for the bakery said they would appeal.

“We are disappointed that punitive damages were awarded,” their statement said. “The facts of the case do not support awarding any damages.”

The jury found that the company acted with malice and oppression toward 17 of the 21 plaintiffs; the 17 men and women will share the punitive award. All 21 share in the actual damages awarded Monday.

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Baker To Pay $120M For Bias

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