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Writer sues after losing book deal over transit worker flap

Posted at 3:50 PM, Jun 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-08 18:50:11-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — A writer who faced social media backlash for calling out a transit worker eating on a train is suing her publisher.

Lawyers for Natasha Tynes filed suit against publisher Rare Bird Lit., Inc. on Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges the Los Angeles company breached its contract and defamed the Maryland author when it cancelled her book deal over the controversy.

In May, Tynes tweeted a picture of a female worker eating on a Washington Metro train and reported her name to transit officials. Tynes later apologized and deleted the tweet after people criticized her for shaming a black woman despite being a minority writer. Tynes is Jordanian American.

She's seeking $13.4 million in damages. The publishing house didn't respond to an email seeking comment Saturday.