Jonathan Stempel, Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -A Federal Judge ruled Wednesday that Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:) Inc could be held liable for a Black elevator operator. He claimed the company did not address racial abuses at the plant where he worked. However, he reduced a $137 million jury award down to $15 million.

After jurors in October concluded that Owen Diaz was subject to hostile conditions at Tesla’s Fremont factory, California plant in Fremont (U.S.), William Orrick of San Francisco decided in his favor.

A judge stated that evidence was “amply supporting” the jury’s verdict that Tesla was guilty in a 43-page ruling.

However, he stated that Diaz received $6.9million in compensatory damages from the jury. He should reduce this amount to $1.5million and $130million to punitive damages.

Orrick granted Diaz thirty days to either accept the $15,000,000 award or request a new trial.

Tesla’s lawyers didn’t immediately reply to inquiries for comment. Diaz lawyers didn’t immediately reply to similar requests.

Tesla, led by Elon Musk the billionaire, faces many similar lawsuits.

California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing claimed in February that Fremont workers suffered constant harassment and their complaints were ignored.