Former employee wins ‘racial harassment’ lawsuit, Tesla ordered to pay $3.2 million fine

Electric car maker Tesla has been ordered to pay nearly $3.2 million to a black former worker who won a racial harassment lawsuit. Owen Diaz, an elevator operator who worked at his Fremont factory from 2015 to 2016, was subjected to a “racially hostile” work environment, a federal jury said.

However, the payment was reduced by 98% from the $137 million it was originally awarded in 2021. A judge ruled last year that the initial amount was excessive. “Had we been allowed to introduce new evidence, the verdict would have been zero,” Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk wrote on Twitter. “The jury did the best they could with the information they had. I respect the decision,” he added.