The Labor Department sued Oracle Corp., alleging the technology company routinely pays its white male workers more than their counterparts in the same positions.

The suit puts at risk hundreds of millions of dollars in federal contracts Oracle has won, as the government prohibits contractors from engaging in employment discrimination.

The lawsuit, which comes after the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs reviewed Oracle’s equal employment opportunity practices at its Redwood City, Calif., headquarters, alleges that the company has a systemic practice of paying Caucasian male workers more, leading to discrimination against female, African-American and Asian employees.

It also alleges that Oracle has favored Asian workers in its recruiting and hiring practices for product development and other technical roles, resulting in discrimination against non-Asian applicants.

An Oracle spokeswoman said the complaint is “politically motivated”, based on false allegations, and without merit.