Florida’s attorney general has filed a civil-rights lawsuit against Starbucks, alleging race-based hiring and pay practices in violation of state law, including preferential treatment for some races and discrimination against white, Asian, and multiracial employees.

The state accuses Starbucks of using DEI initiatives to set numeric racial targets for its workforce and tying executive bonuses to those targets.

Florida seeks immediate cessation of all DEI practices and civil penalties for each alleged violation across 934 Starbucks locations, potentially up to $10,000 per violation under the state’s anti-discrimination statute.

-

The case has intensified broader debates about the scope of diversity programs and the risk of reverse discrimination against other demographic groups.

Readers are encouraged to review the full complaint for detailed allegations and context.

The suit was filed in Highlands County and follows a prior proceeding that was dismissed, with the issue potentially pursued in state or federal court.

The attorney general announced the action via a video posted on social media.

Reporting on the case benefited from collaboration with News Service of Florida and WUSF Public Media.

Observers expect the lawsuit to set a precedent for how companies design and implement diversity programs and comply with civil-rights laws.

The broader political context includes Florida’s Stop WOKE Act and other anti-DEI actions by Governor DeSantis, framing the lawsuit within a wider anti-DEI agenda.

Uthmeier’s office has previously asserted on social media that diversity policies have been weaponized to impose racial quotas.