Orlando 7-Eleven clerk fired weeks after filing complaint about moldy food

ORLANDO, Fla. — The 7-Eleven employee who told 9 Investigates three weeks ago that she witnessed her boss selling moldy food to customers says she was fired after the story aired.

Bianca Mendoza said her boss, Alex Houtoun, who owns the 7-Eleven at 5703 S. Semoran Blvd. in Orlando, first reduced her hours, and then fired her about two weeks later.

"He cut my hours from 36 to only two days, so that's 12 hours in one week,” Mendoza said. “My paycheck was only $42."

When a state health inspector visited the store May 18, he didn’t find any violations, but did opt to issue a written warning. The warning alerted Houtoun that the practice “was not acceptable,” and “explained the risks to the consuming public.”

Mendoza said she tried to file a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Commission, but was told she couldn’t because the convenience store doesn’t have enough employees.

"They told me that they couldn't help me due to them not having six full-time employees, and I think that's not right."

Under EEOC rules, only businesses that meet minimum employee requirements are covered under discrimination laws. A private business must have at least 15 full-time employees for its employees to be covered under EEOC laws.

7-Eleven is investigating the store and Mendoza’s claims.

Houtoun could not be reached for comment.

Cox Media Group