Lawsuit: Cafeteria manager enslaved mentally disabled worker

By MEG KINNARD
Associated Press

COLUMBIA, SC (AP) — A South Carolina cafeteria worker is accusing his former employer of subjecting him to treatment akin to slavery and years of mental and physical abuse.

The federal lawsuit filed Monday accuses the owner and manager of J&J Cafeteria in Conway of charges including slavery, assault and race discrimination. John Christopher Smith is black. His former employers are white.

The lawsuit says Smith worked at the cafeteria for 23 years. But the alleged abuse only started five years ago, when a man named Bobby Edwards became manager.

During that time, the lawsuit says Smith was made to work 18-hour shifts and was physically abused by his employers.

Edwards did not immediately return a seeking comment. He is already facing assault and battery charges in state court related to the case.

Bruce Smith in Charleston contributed to this report.

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