SAN FRANCISCO — A federal court judge has denied Tesla’s request to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the federal government, which claims that there is widespread racism occurring at the company’s Fremont electric car factory.

In September, Tesla was sued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, citing claims that Black workers were frequently targeted with racial harassment that was “inappropriate, unwelcome and occurred across all shifts, departments, and positions.” In late December, the electric car maker filed a motion to dismiss the case, but on Friday Judge Jacqueline Corley with the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, rejected the Tesla’s arguments.

More on the lawsuit and allegations of racial harassment at Tesla’s Fremont factory.