A former employee has taken legal action against a company, alleging a toxic work environment and unlawful termination. Grayson Cotes filed a complaint on January 30, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia against QualiChem, Inc., among other defendants. The lawsuit accuses the company of various discriminatory practices and retaliation after Cotes reported these issues.
The case centers around allegations that QualiChem unlawfully terminated Cotes after he reported incidents of sexual misconduct, religious-based harassment, sex-based discrimination, and violations of safety regulations within the company’s Salem, Virginia facility. According to the complaint, these issues were not only prevalent but were also endorsed by management figures such as John Breedlove and Jaret Monteforte. Cotes claims that the law firm Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC encouraged QualiChem to retaliate against him through his termination.
Cotes argues that his termination was in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Virginia’s Human Rights Act. He details how he faced harassment from coworkers following an OSHA complaint he filed about unsafe working conditions. This complaint allegedly led to further hostility from management and colleagues alike. Despite his efforts to report these issues internally to figures like Douglas M. Frassa and through formal channels like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Cotes states that his concerns were dismissed or ignored.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages amounting to $300,000. Additionally, he requests reinstatement to his former position or compensation for lost wages and benefits due to his alleged wrongful termination. The lawsuit demands a jury trial on all issues presented.
Representing himself in this legal battle is Grayson Cotes, with no specific attorneys named in the filing. The case is presided over by Judge RSB-CKM under Case ID 7:26-cv-00077-RSB-CKM.
Source: 726cv00077_Cotes_v_Qualichem_Inc_Complaint_Western_District_Virginia.pdf
