Former Employee Sues Boca Raton Whole Foods Market For $978 Million

by News Desk | May 4, 2022 · 9:54 am | Boca Raton News

Boca Raton Whole Foods Market Sued For $978 Million - Mary Ann

Last Updated: Mar 21, 2026 · 4:21 pm

Related Topics: Defamation | Lawsuits | mental health

Join the conversation.

Most reader discussion happens on our Facebook page. Follow Boca Post for breaking news and join the conversation.

Reach Boca Raton Readers When Legal Issues Arise

Appear alongside local arrest reports, lawsuits, and breaking coverage read daily across Boca Raton.

Connect your firm with readers actively following legal matters in the community.

Limited placements available. Boca Raton area firms only.

Former Employee Sues Boca Raton Whole Foods Market For $978 Million

Former Employee Sues For Slander-Defamation Of Character. Seeking $978 Million In Damages.

Boca Raton Whole Foods Market Sued For $978 Million - Mary Ann, Maanger, Image Credit: Linkedin

Boca Raton Whole Foods Market Sued For $978 Million – Mary Ann, Maanger, Image Credit: Linkedin

BOCA RATON, FL (Boca Post) — A former employee of a Whole Foods Market in Boca Raton is suing the company for defamation of character claiming that the manager accused her of “trying to give HIV to white men”.

A newly filed lawsuit by a former employee Fredeline Justice, claims that a manager at the Whole Foods Market located at 1400 Glades Road made false and malicious statements about her which have caused public hatred and irreversible stigma.

The lawsuit claims that a store manager, identified as “Mary Ann”, accused Justice of “having HIV” and said Justice was “trying to give HIV to white men” while the store was full of customers. Justice says she was then verbally abused by customers in the Boca Raton Whole Foods Market.

The lawsuit references several instances where customers would interrogate her about having HIV and even insulted her appearance. The following inappropriate questions were asked by customers of the establishment following the manager’s alleged allegation:

    • Are you in the city of Boca Raton to spread HIV to our white men?
    • Where do you live?
    • Why don’t you go back to West Palm Beach instead?
    • When is the last time you went to the doctor?
    • Did you tell them you were in pain?
    • Did you tell them to test you for HIV?
    • Are you stupid?

Justice says that the false rumors spread fast and have caused irreparable harm to her reputation. In the suit, Justice claims to be suffering from poor mental health, low self-esteem, sleepless nights, hallucinations, depression, suicidal thoughts, stress, and stigma.

In light of this allegation, Justice is suing Whole Foods Market for $978 Million dollars for the damages suffered to her reputation.

The lawsuit was filed yesterday in the 15th Circuit Court at the Palm Beach County Courthouse.

The complaint can be seen below:

Boca Raton Whole Foods Market Sued For $978 Million

Right of Response

Boca Post reports on arrests and court filings based on publicly available records. Individuals or businesses named in this coverage who wish to provide additional context or an official statement may request publication of a response.

Museum Of Discovery And Science Nature Center Taking Shape At Sullivan Park In Deerfield Beach

Museum Of Discovery And Science Nature Center Taking Shape At Sullivan Park In Deerfield Beach

A new Museum of Discovery and Science marine science center is under construction at Sullivan Park in Deerfield Beach, bringing hands-on exhibits and environmental education to North Broward and nearby Palm Beach communities.

BSO Traffic Homicide Unit Investigating Fatal West Park Crash On Pembroke Road

BSO Traffic Homicide Unit Investigating Fatal West Park Crash on Pembroke Road

BSO traffic homicide detectives are investigating a weekend crash in West Park that left one passenger dead and sent six others to the hospital.

BSO Investigating Pembroke Park Gas Station Shooting That Led to Fatal Crash

BSO Investigating Pembroke Park Gas Station Shooting That Led to Fatal Crash

BSO homicide detectives are investigating a Pembroke Park shooting that left a driver dead after a crash on West Hallandale Beach Boulevard.

BSO SVU Arrests Georgia Man in 2013 Dania Beach Attempted Sexual Battery Case

BSO Svu Arrests Georgia Man in 2013 Dania Beach Attempted Sexual Battery Case

BSO’s Special Victims Unit arrested a man in Georgia in a 2013 attempted sexual battery case tied to an event in Dania Beach after DNA testing produced a CODIS hit, authorities said.

Palm Beach County Property Tax Revenue Hits Record $1.9 Billion, Clerk Report Shows

Palm Beach County Property Tax Revenue Hits Record $1.9 Billion, Clerk Report Shows

Palm Beach County’s 2025 Checks & Balances report shows record property tax revenue, rising home prices and millions earned through county investments.