Stephon Francis, a former employee of a New Jersey-based thermal management products manufacturer, has filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. The complaint was lodged by Francis on February 17, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Kooltronic, Inc., operating as Kooltronic Enclosure Cooling Solutions.
The lawsuit stems from Francis’s brief employment with Kooltronic, which began on February 26, 2025. During his tenure as a Manufacturing Assembler, Francis claims he faced discriminatory treatment from his trainer and supervisor due to his race. The complaint highlights incidents where Trainer Brian, responsible for teaching him the brazing process—a critical and hazardous task—allegedly neglected proper training and used threatening language. “Don’t get bored again; I’ll be back to check on you,” Trainer Brian reportedly whispered after forcibly handing back a live brazing torch to Francis. Feeling unsafe and unsupported, Francis escalated his concerns about racial discrimination to Supervisor Brian and Christine from Human Resources. However, these complaints were dismissed without investigation.
Francis further alleges that after raising these issues, he experienced retaliatory actions culminating in his termination on April 21, 2025. Initially cited for attendance issues related to an emergency medical situation that HR had previously excused him for, the reasons for his dismissal shifted multiple times during the termination meeting with Supervisor Brian and Christine. Ultimately, Francis contends that these pretexts masked the true discriminatory motives behind his firing.
In response to these grievances, Francis is seeking comprehensive legal remedies from the court. He demands that Kooltronic cease its alleged discriminatory practices and compensate him for lost wages and benefits. Additionally, he seeks punitive damages to deter future misconduct by the company or other employers. The complaint also requests compensation for emotional distress alongside coverage of legal fees incurred.
Representing Stephon Francis is Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti P.C., while no defense attorneys are named in the filing at this stage. The case is presided over by an unnamed judge under Case ID 3:26-cv-01620.
Source: 326cv01620_Francis_v_Kooltronic_Inc_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf