A Black former employee of Six Flags Magic Mountain has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the theme park, alleging racial discrimination and wrongful termination. Charles Winters, who worked at the park's Big Belly Burger from 2022 to 2025, claims he experienced a pattern of discriminatory treatment.
According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Winters alleges that Black employees were informed the company Christmas party had been canceled, only for him to later discover that the event had proceeded as planned. He also claims that during "down time," Black employees were assigned more strenuous cleaning tasks, such as scrubbing floors and refrigerators, while white employees were given less demanding roles at the cash register.
Winters further asserts that he and other African-American employees were subjected to increased scrutiny regarding their appearance, with supervisors more frequently checking if his uniform shirt was tucked in compared to other employees. The lawsuit also states that Black employees were pushed to upsell souvenirs and faced discipline for failing to meet sales targets, a practice not imposed on non-Black employees.
Winters, who was recognized as "Employee of the Month" in August 2023, reported the alleged discrimination to a high-level manager but was reportedly told he would have to "deal with any issues he had" and was denied a transfer.
The suit details an incident on June 21, 2025, where Winters claims a white security guard stopped him as he was leaving the park after his shift, questioning his presence. Winters alleges he was singled out due to his race, leading to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department being called. He presented his employee badge to deputies, confirming his employment, but the park's loss prevention team allegedly confiscated the badge.
Winters was suspended and subsequently terminated on July 3, 2025. The park's stated reason for his dismissal was his alleged failure to cooperate with security and refusal to show his badge. Through his lawsuit, Winters is seeking $25 million in damages for lost wages, benefits, future earning potential, and other employment opportunities.