A Black passenger is suing American Airlines, alleging racial profiling and false accusations of trafficking his wife during a 2022 flight from Phoenix to Miami.
According to the lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida, a fellow passenger mistakenly believed that Anthony Williams was trafficking his wife, Katsiaryna Shasholka, and reported this to American Airlines employees Michael Wilfong and Angel Rodriguez.
The suit claims that instead of questioning Williams or investigating the matter, the employees falsely informed law enforcement that Williams was trafficking his own wife, according to Business Insider.
The lawsuit states that upon landing at Miami International Airport, American Airlines staff “falsely imprisoned” Williams and Shasholka by escorting them off the plane.
The lawsuit alleges that Williams and Shasholka were left “confused and embarrassed” as other passengers disembarked the plane and walked past them.
They were then questioned by Miami-Dade Police officers, who detained them, subjected them to false imprisonment, and humiliated them during the interrogation.
The lawsuit claims that the biracial couple were “racially profiled and discriminated against based on their race by employees and/or agents of American Airlines.”
Williams and Shasholka are seeking damages exceeding $75,000, excluding interest and costs.
The complaint also cites three additional incidents between 2023 and 2024 in which Black passengers claim to have been mistreated by American Airlines.
American Airlines declined to comment when contacted.
