His supervisor allegedly called him "brittle" — then came the bad reviews and a PIP
An 11-year Walmart senior manager alleges he was forced out after requesting disability accommodations and raising discrimination concerns internally.
Scott Carrasquillo held the title of Senior Manager of Global Security and Investigations when, according to a lawsuit filed February 12 in federal court in Tampa, Florida, a sequence of events began that would end his career at the company.
It started in May 2023, when Carrasquillo sustained injuries to his neck and shoulder while driving to a work site. He reported the injury promptly. His supervisor, Director Matthew Walsh, allegedly failed to report it in a timely manner. When Carrasquillo followed up, Walsh reportedly dismissed the severity of the injury and remarked, "I didn't realize you were so brittle."
Carrasquillo, a former Police Officer who had disclosed his disability and work restrictions when he was hired in 2013, brought the matter to HR and Walmart's workers' compensation representative. He had received consistently positive performance evaluations over his eleven-year tenure. He also filed a formal complaint against Senior Director Claire Ruston over what he described as unsavory and potentially illegal workplace business practices.
What followed, the suit alleges, was a pattern of discrimination and retaliation. In August 2023, Carrasquillo received an inaccurate and negative performance review, which he disputed with supporting documentation. His supervisor refused to consider the rebuttal. Carrasquillo escalated the matter to Vice President Larry Lundeen on August 16, 2023. No remedial action was taken.
Carrasquillo alleges he was then ordered to travel to Miami for extended surveillance duties that violated his doctor's restrictions and departed from Walmart's standard travel policy. This happened despite the company being aware of his condition and his requests for accommodations, which included limits on lifting, stretching, working hours, and opportunities to rest.
By February 2024, another poor performance review followed. In March, Carrasquillo was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan without justification. On April 10, 2024, he was removed from his position without explanation and told to apply for other internal roles. He applied for multiple jobs through the internal portal. None resulted in an interview.
The suit also alleges that Lundeen discouraged Carrasquillo from raising concerns, telling him in conversation that if it were him, he would "keep quiet" and follow orders rather than file complaints. Walsh, meanwhile, allegedly made further age-related remarks, including, "The way you did things in the past is no longer relevant," and "You need to find new ways to work."
Carrasquillo was 54 when he was effectively terminated on or about June 10, 2024. He alleges he was treated less favorably than similarly situated employees who were younger and non-disabled, and who were not disciplined or removed despite similar or inferior performance.
The case brings seven counts under the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. It seeks back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, reinstatement or front pay, and attorney's fees. No determination has been made on the merits.
The case is Carrasquillo v. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc., Case No. 8:26-cv-00406 (M.D. Fla.).
