Allegations of race-based discrimination and wrongful termination have been raised against the operators of a Meineke Car Care Center franchise, with two former employees claiming they were dismissed due to their race and in retaliation for reporting discriminatory practices. The complaint was filed by Leonard Moats and Kristopher McLain on March 12, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Germal Daniel, Jazen Brown, and DB Holdings of Georgia LLC.
According to the filing, both plaintiffs were employed by DB Holdings of Georgia LLC—Moats as a Service Advisor starting June 25, 2024, and McLain as an Automotive Technician beginning July 22, 2024. The lawsuit alleges that Moats was promised a promotion to Store Manager if he performed well. Moats claims he met or exceeded expectations but was denied the promotion while being repeatedly told he was doing a good job.
The complaint outlines that Daniel and Brown are co-owners and final decision-makers at DB Holdings. Both are identified as African American males. The plaintiffs allege that Daniel exercised day-to-day authority over the store and treated non-Caucasian employees more favorably than Caucasian counterparts. Moats states he complained about this alleged discriminatory treatment as well as his denied promotion.
A significant incident detailed in the lawsuit occurred around September 12, 2024. Moats reported to Daniel that there was a large amount of cash needing deposit; Daniel instructed him to leave it in the cash drawer. Several days later, Daniel allegedly threatened to “close down this entire store and replace you with my people,” which Moats, McLain, and another employee interpreted as referring specifically to African Americans. Later that day, Daniel accused Moats of having a short cash drawer but withheld access so Moats could not verify its contents.
On or about September 28, 2024, Moats was terminated along with McLain and another Caucasian employee named John Crowder; meanwhile an African American employee remained employed. Initially told that “the owner is going in a new direction with personnel,” Moats objected to what he described as discriminatory terminations. Law enforcement officers who responded documented his complaint regarding the racial composition of those terminated versus retained.
McLain returned shortly after his own termination and observed two African Americans had been hired to replace the terminated Caucasian employees. On October 6, 2024, both plaintiffs received separation notices stating they were terminated for theft—a claim they deny—which had not been mentioned at the time of their dismissal.
The lawsuit brings multiple counts under Section 1981: race discrimination; retaliation for complaining about discrimination; creation of a hostile work environment; and conspiracy to violate civil rights by agreeing to terminate Caucasian employees. Both plaintiffs allege lost wages, diminished employment opportunities, inconvenience, loss of income, emotional distress including outrage and humiliation.
Moats’s claims are directed solely at individual defendants Daniel and Brown due to an existing separate action against DB Holdings arising from the same events. McLain’s claims target all defendants collectively.
The plaintiffs seek full back pay from their date of termination (including raises or benefits they would have received), reinstatement or front pay in lieu thereof for lost future wages or pensions; compensatory damages for emotional distress; punitive damages intended to punish intentional conduct; reasonable attorney’s fees; costs; judgment for incurred damages; and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by attorney J. Stephen Mixon of The Mixon Law Firm (Georgia Bar No. 514050). The case identification number is 1:26-cv-01385-TRJ-CCB.
Source: 126cv01385_Leonard_Moats_v_Germal_Daniel_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georiga.pdf
