www.mcleod-lawgroup.

com
Office Dial: 843-277-6655

Email: ellis@mcleod-lawgroup.com

November 16, 2015

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- For More Information Visit:

www.mcleod-lawgroup.com
Contact:

Ellis Roberts

CHARLESTON, SC / FLORENCE, SC / HORRY COUNTY, SC

Press Release Issued by McLeod Law Group: Christopher Smith v. Half Moon Foods, Inc., d/b/a

J&J Cafeteria, Ernest J. Edwards and Bobby Paul Edwards

MCLEOD LAW GROUP AND DAVID AYLOR LAW OFFICES FILE 14 COUNT CIVIL LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL
COURT ON BEHALF OF CHRISTOPHER SMITH ALLEGING SLAVERY AMONG OTHER DISCRIMINATORY
AND HATEFUL ACTS
Today McLeod Law Group and David Aylor Law Offices filed suit on behalf of Christopher Smith, a mentally
handicapped African American male. The federal lawsuit alleges Mr. Smith was physically and mentally
abused for many years as an employee and tenant of J&J Cafeteria in Conway, SC. Fourteen causes of
action were filed, among them, Slavery, Assault and Battery, False Imprisonment, violations of the Fair
Labor and Wages Acts and numerous forms of Discrimination. Plaintiff was employed by J&J Cafeteria for
twenty three years and during at least the last five was forced to work 18 hour shifts, six days a week with
an 11 hour shift on Sundays. Plaintiff was not paid for his service nor allowed work breaks or time off and
deprived of any benefits. Instead, Defendants maintained a bank account for the Plaintiff to which he
was never given access. Plaintiff was kept from his family and forced to live in sub-human conditions in
a cockroach-infested apartment directly behind the Cafeteria which was owned by Defendants.
The Complaint alleges the physical, emotional and mental abuse began in 2010 and continued until the
day the Plaintiff was rescued by South Carolina Department of Social Services on October 10, 2014.
Plaintiff was continually threatened with severe physical harm if he were to report any abuse to the
authorities. Plaintiff was hit in the head with a frying pan, burned and beaten regularly with kitchen tools,
belt-buckles and fists while subjected to being called the N word repeatedly. Plaintiff would be heard
being beaten in the freezer, cold locker, back office and other parts of the restaurant screaming for his
life.

3 Morris Street, Suite A, Charleston, SC 29403

Phone: 843.277.6655 toll free: 855.277.6997 fax: 843.277.6660
www.mcleod-lawgroup.com

www.mcleod-lawgroup.com

McLeod Law Group, LLC

Pg. 2
November 16, 2015

Attorney W. Mullins McLeod, Jr. who represents Christopher Smith stated, The family and I are grateful
DSS intervened and rescued Christopher. We are committed to securing justice for Christopher. Based
upon the facts as we know them, the conduct in this case is as troubling as anything I have seen in almost
20 years of practicing law.
On October 10, 2014, Conway Police Officers responded to Defendant Cafeteria in reference to a
Department of Social Services (DSS) escort. Police officers met with the complaining DSS
representatives who stated they had received a concerned citizens report from the South Carolina
Governors Office that a vulnerable adult was being abused at Defendant Cafeteria. At Defendant
Cafeteria, DSS representatives confirmed the abuse and viewed scars on Plaintiffs back inflicted by
Defendant Bobby Edwards. Plaintiff was rescued from Defendants at that time and placed in Adult
Protective Services with the Department of Social Services. Defendant Bobby Edwards was charged with
Assault and Battery.
After the lawsuit was filed, attorney David Aylor, whose office first met with the Plaintiff stated, We will
fight for justice for Christopher and are sending a message that we will not sit idly by while one of our own
is forced to endure such outrageous abuse. This lawsuit cannot change the past but hopefully it will bring
about positive change in the future.
The Complaint, which will be available at www.mcleod-lawgroup.com, is filed in the Florence Division of
South Carolina District Court and demands a jury trial against Bobby Edwards, the alleged abuser; Ernest
Edwards, the owner of J&J Cafeteria; and Half Moon Foods, Inc.
For additional information please visit:
www.mcleod-lawgroup.com
or call 843-277-6655.

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3 Morris Street, Suite A, Charleston, SC 29403

Phone: 843.277.6655 toll free: 855.277.6997 fax: 843.277.6660
www.mcleod-lawgroup.com