BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A northern Idaho woman is suing the restaurant chain Red Robin in federal court because she says she was fired for complaining about racist hiring practices.

Stacie Ward of Post Falls filed the whistleblower lawsuit on Tuesday, contending that a manager at the Coeur d'Alene restaurant refused to consider a job applicant because he was black, and that when she protested, managers retaliated by making up complaints about her and firing her.

Red Robin spokesman Kevin Caulfield declined to comment about the lawsuit, but said the company is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination in hiring as well as discriminatory behavior in the workplace.

Ward filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which investigated and issued Ward a formal notice of right to sue Red Robin.

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