PITTSBURGH - A Bethel Park resident is suing his former employer, claiming that he was the victim of discrimination.
Ellis Allen filed a lawsuit June 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against The Washington Trotting Association, doing business as The Meadows Racetrack and Casino, alleging age discrimination.
According to the civil action, Allen worked for the defendant as a table games dealer from late June 2010 to late June 2014. During this time, although his work performance was considered fully acceptable by the defendant, members of management would allegedly refer to Allen and other older employees using an age-based pejorative.
The suit also states that not only was Allen was denied training provided to younger employees, but compared to younger employees, older workers were disciplined more severely and for less serious violations.
Allen alleges that on June 28, 2014, he was fired for missing work because he accidentally overslept due to a change to his normal work shift. He was 63 at the time. Allen said that while his action was designated "no call/no show" and he was fired without warning, younger employees whose actions were designated "no call/no show" were warned, were not dismissed from their job, and were only subjected to minor discipline--that is if they were disciplined at all.
Moreover, despite having a meeting with Allen to tell him he was fired, the defendant told the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that Allen quit and nothing in his work history was a factor in his discharge, Allen claims.
The suit states that after Allen was fired the defendant hired an individual to who was almost 40 years younger to replace him.
The plaintiff seeks reinstatement; front and back pay; compensation for lost benefits; and attorney fees, court courts. He is being represented by Samuel J. Cordes of Samuel J. Cordes & Associates in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number: 2:15-cv-00797-CRE.