Jury rules in favor of Mill Creek Park in slander suit

YOUNGSTOWN — A former seasonal golf course maintenance worker and ranger has failed in a lawsuit alleging he suffered discrimination based on his Mexican-American heritage.

The man also said he endured a hostile working environment at Mill Creek Park, which he said employed a supervisor who slandered him.

A five-woman, three-man jury deliberated just two hours today at the end of a six-day trial before rendering its unanimous verdicts in favor of Mill Creek Metropolitan Park District and its golf director, Dennis Miller. The case was before Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Ballardo Salinas, of Willow Crest Drive, Austintown, sued the park district and Miller, alleging Miller called him a vulgar name and referred to him on multiple occasions as a “dirty Mexican.”

Salinas, who unsuccessfully sought more than $25,000 each in compensatory and punitive damages, alleged that he reported Miller’s comments to other park officials, who took no corrective action.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.