BANGOR (AP) – A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit in which an Old Town man claimed employees at a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise discriminated against him because he is black.

Anthony Watkins, 51, had sought $300,000 in damages from Lovley Development Inc., a Newport company that owns the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in Old Town. The store’s owner claimed Watkins wasn’t served because of his behavior – not because of his race.

A jury trial had been scheduled to start Feb. 27, but a notice of the settlement was filed in court last week. Attorneys for both sides declined to comment on the settlement.

Watkins alleged that he and his son, then 6, were in the store in March 2003 when clerks ignored them to wait on other customers. When other patrons offered to let Watkins and his son in line ahead of them, Dunkin’ Donuts’ employees allegedly accused him of cutting in line, according to court documents.

Watkins then had to raise his voice to be heard over the televisions that were playing loudly in the coffee shop, according to court documents.

Watkins claimed that when he complained about his treatment, employees called Old Town police. He was not arrested, and police did not issue him a summons.

Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com