Former Steeler Jerome Bettis files $66 million racial discrimination lawsuit over terminated business deal
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis has filed a lawsuit against Pittsburgh-based energy group EQT in an effort to recover monies lost after a business agreement went south.
As first reported by Jarrett Bell of Steelers Wire parent company USA TODAY, IntegrServ, a trucking company partially owned by Bettis, filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, which seeks $66 million in damages. The trucking company is seeking this amount due to breach of contract and the defaming of IntegrServ’s reputation.
Together, Bettis and his brother own 51 percent of the trucking company.
Bettis claims that racial discrimination caused EQT to withdraw from an agreement with IntegrServ, one that began as a “commitment to use minority-owned businesses”. Their contract was set to run through February 2021.
“We brought the lawsuit to fight for what is right,” Bettis told USA TODAY Sports. “I have to stand up and say something when I see what I believe to be racial injustice. I am calling it out because it’s wrong, and the time is now to do something about it.”
The lawsuit also states that the new CEO of EQT, Toby Rice, detested IntegrServ and stated, “He’s stealing my money,” in reference to the previous agreement Bettis had with EQT prior to Rice becoming CEO.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports, EQT denies any wrongdoing and states it will “vigorously defend ourselves against this unwarranted lawsuit”.
