By PHILLIP WILLIAMS

A federal racial discrimination lawsuit against Upshur County is expected to go to trial next month after the county commissioners court met in closed session with its attorney concerning the litigation Monday.

Earnest Hoye, a current employee of the county’s Road and Bridge Department, filed the lawsuit contending he was denied a promotion because he was black, said County Judge Dean Fowler.

Hoye made the allegation, which the county denies, against Road and Bridge Administrator Bubba Pendarvis, said Fowler. Pendarvis is white.

The matter is scheduled for pretrial proceedings Nov. 2 in U.S. District Court at Tyler, and will probably be tried the week of Nov. 16, Fowler said.

The commissioners court met for about 50 minutes with its civil attorney, Tyler lawyer Robert Davis, Monday afternoon, but took no action on the lawsuit, Fowler said.

Nacogdoches attorney Alex Castetter represents Hoye.