Court Rules Ex-Piston Vinnie Johnson's Company Was Wrongfully Stripped of Its Minority Certification

Vinnie Johnson (Screen shot from WDIV video)

A Wayne County judge Tuesday ruled that ex-Detroit Piston Vinnie Johnson, proprietor of one of the world’s largest Black-owned automotive suppliers, was wrongfully stripped of its minority certification in an apparent bid to “destroy” and “steal” the company, Crain's Detroit Business reports.

The minority certification can make a huge difference in revenue or whether a business survives.

Crain's reports: 

Piston Group, the plaintiff in the case, was awarded a permanent injunction against the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, allowing the company to retain its minority business enterprise status, which the certifying body had improperly revoked, according to the decision handed down by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Annette Berry.

The ruling, applauded by Piston as "vindication" for founder and chairman Vinnie Johnson, is a major win for the parts supplier, whose largest customers are the Detroit Three automakers.

“By de-certifying the Piston Group, Robinson, through the MMSDC, sought to destroy Johnson and his company,” the judgement said. “Testimony at trial revealed that Robinson and others colluded to steal Johnson’s company.”

The MMSDC said it will consider appealing the ruling.

“We are quite disappointed with the ruling and strongly disagree with the language and rationale set forth in the court’s opinion,” the council said in a statement to Crain’s.