October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

Tesla Settles Owen Diaz’s Racial Discrimination Case; Terms Remain Confidential

Tesla confidentially settled former worker Owen Diaz’s individual racial-harassment case in March 2024. The settlement amount was not disclosed, and separate agency cases remained listed as pending in Tesla’s June 2026 filing.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Tesla and former factory worker Owen Diaz reached a confidential settlement in March 2024, ending Diaz’s individual lawsuit over alleged racial harassment at Tesla’s Fremont, California, factory. The settlement amount was not disclosed. It was separate from other racial-discrimination proceedings against Tesla, which the company still listed as pending in a June 30, 2026 filing.

What Tesla settled—and what remains unknown

The agreement resolved all claims in Diaz’s individual case, according to Tesla’s 2024 Form 10-Q and reporting on the filed agreement. The agreement was described as final and binding, but its financial terms were not made public. The available filings and reporting do not establish how much Diaz received.

The last jury award in the case was $3.175 million, following a 2023 retrial. That figure is not the settlement amount: the confidential agreement came later, and its terms were not disclosed. Tesla’s 2024 Form 10-Q reports the settlement and the earlier award history.

What Diaz alleged and what the jury decided

Diaz was a contingent worker assigned to Tesla’s Fremont factory in 2015 and 2016. He alleged that he was subjected to racial harassment and that Tesla failed to stop it. His federal lawsuit included claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and California law.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Hot Wheels Tesla Model S Plaid, HW EV 1/10 [red] 9/250
  • Collectible Die-Cast Metal Vehicle: 1:64 Scale die-cast metal construction recommended for ages 3 and above
  • Authentic Tesla Model S Plaid Replica: Features detailed design of the high-performance electric vehicle in vibrant red color
  • HW EV Series Collection: Part of the Hot Wheels Electric Vehicle series, numbered 1/10 in the HW EV lineup
  • Limited Edition Release: Collectible item numbered 9 out of 250 in this special production series
  • Premium Hot Wheels Quality: Durable construction with authentic details and smooth rolling wheels for racing and display

The case went to trial, and a jury found in Diaz’s favor. In an April 13, 2022 post-trial order, U.S. District Judge William Orrick denied Tesla’s motions challenging liability and seeking a new trial, while reducing the damages. The judge wrote, “The evidence was disturbing.” The allegations and findings in this individual case should not be confused with allegations in separate agency lawsuits.

How the damages changed through trial and appeal

The published figures describe different stages of litigation—not the eventual confidential settlement. The federal court order gives the compensatory and punitive breakdowns for the first award and the judge-reduced award; Tesla’s 2024 Form 10-Q reports the amounts at each stage.

Rank #2
Sale
Hot Wheels Tesla Model S Plaid [White], HW EV 1/10, 9/250, 1:64 Scale Diecast Car
  • COLLECTIBLE DETAILS: Part of the HW EV series (1/10) and 2023 mainline collection (9/250), this 1:64 scale Tesla Model S Plaid diecast car comes in sleek white
  • AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Precisely crafted miniature replica featuring the distinctive Tesla Model S Plaid body style and signature elements
  • SCALE ACCURACY: True-to-life 1:64 scale model, perfect for displaying or playing with other Hot Wheels vehicles
  • DISPLAY READY: Showcases detailed exterior features, including the aerodynamic silhouette and characteristic Tesla styling
  • COMPATIBILITY: Works with standard Hot Wheels tracks and playsets for enhanced play value
Stage Amount and breakdown What it represents
October 4, 2021 jury verdict $136.9 million: $6.9 million compensatory and $130 million punitive damages The initial jury award, later reduced by the judge.
April 13, 2022 remittitur $15 million: $1.5 million compensatory and $13.5 million punitive damages The award after the judge reduced damages.
April 3, 2023 retrial verdict $3.175 million The jury award after a retrial; this is not the settlement payment.
March 2024 settlement Amount and terms not disclosed The parties settled Diaz’s claims after appeals and cross-appeals had been filed.

The court’s April 13, 2022 post-trial order explains the first award and remittitur. Tesla’s Form 10-Q reports the 2023 retrial award and the 2024 settlement. News coverage sometimes rounds the retrial verdict to $3.2 million; the reported figure in Tesla’s filing is $3.175 million.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Did the settlement end Tesla’s other racial-discrimination cases?

No. Diaz’s lawsuit was distinct from proceedings brought by California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Tesla’s filing for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 continued to list both cases as pending.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Matchbox Tesla Model S Diecast Car, 1:64 Scale, Blue, 42/125
  • SCALE: Precision-crafted 1:64 scale die-cast model, perfect for collectors and Tesla enthusiasts
  • DESIGN: Stunning blue exterior finish that captures the sleek aesthetics of the Tesla Model S
  • COLLECTIBLE SERIES: Part of the 2023 Matchbox lineup, numbered 42 out of 125 in the collection
  • AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Features accurate body styling, wheel designs, and distinctive Tesla Model S characteristics
  • DISPLAY-READY: Compact size makes it ideal for showcasing in collections or creative dioramas
  • California CRD case: Tesla said the first phase of trial was scheduled for September 21, 2026.
  • EEOC case: Tesla said the case was in discovery and had no trial date set.

Those descriptions and dates reflect Tesla’s filing as of June 30, 2026; they do not establish what happened after that date. The EEOC’s 2023 complaint separately alleged racial harassment and retaliation under Title VII and sought monetary and injunctive relief. Those are agency allegations in another case, not claims resolved by Diaz’s settlement. When the EEOC announced its lawsuit, Chair Charlotte A. Burrows said, “Every employee deserves to have their civil rights respected, and no worker should endure the kind of shameful racial bigotry our investigation revealed.” That was the agency’s stated position, not a finding in Diaz’s settled case.

Sources: Tesla’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026; the EEOC’s September 28, 2023 announcement.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 2
Hot Wheels Tesla Model S Plaid [White], HW EV 1/10, 9/250, 1:64 Scale Diecast Car
Hot Wheels Tesla Model S Plaid [White], HW EV 1/10, 9/250, 1:64 Scale Diecast Car
COMPATIBILITY: Works with standard Hot Wheels tracks and playsets for enhanced play value
$9.59
SaleBestseller No. 4
gidoyi Toy Car Model X, Pull Back Car Toys Alloy Vehicles with Lights and Sound 1:32 Scale Model Car (Black)
gidoyi Toy Car Model X, Pull Back Car Toys Alloy Vehicles with Lights and Sound 1:32 Scale Model Car (Black)
Made of zinc alloy with ABS plastic parts; 5.9 inch x 2.2 inch x 1.8 inch(size); The two sides of doors could be opened,front and back covercould be opened too
$18.99
Rank #4
Sale
gidoyi Toy Car Model X, Pull Back Car Toys Alloy Vehicles with Lights and Sound 1:32 Scale Model Car (Black)
  • Made of zinc alloy with ABS plastic parts
  • 5.9 inch x 2.2 inch x 1.8 inch(size)
  • The two sides of doors could be opened,front and back covercould be opened too
  • You can pull back the car,then it can move forwards with Lights and Sound
  • Very suitable as children 4 years and up toys for birthday,Christmas gift, new year. Also it can be a gift for your boyfriend

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.