FLORIDA — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit today, accusing Starbucks of using “DEI to implement illegal race-based policies for hiring and advancement.”
In a post to X (formerly known as Twitter) on Dec. 10, Uthmeier announced the lawsuit and accused Starbucks of using "DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or humiliate an employee based on race,” violating Florida’s Civil Rights Act.
Read the full post here:
Starbucks used DEI to implement illegal race-based policies for hiring and advancement. Using DEI as an excuse to hire, promote, or humiliate an employee based on race violates Florida's civil rights law, and we just filed a lawsuit to hold Starbucks accountable. pic.twitter.com/e3pK0GguQ0
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) December 10, 2025
In the complaint filed in the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, it says Starbucks has “openly maintained racially discriminatory employment policies and practices over the past five years.”
Read the complaint filed in the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida:
Complaint filed 12.10.25 by Tampa Bay 28
Starbucks provided Tampa Bay 28 with this statement on Dec. 10:
"We disagree. We are deeply committed to creating opportunity for every single one of our partners (employees). Our programs and benefits are open to everyone and lawful. Our hiring practices are inclusive, fair and competitive, and designed to ensure the strongest candidate for every job, every time."
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