"Former employee sues Bob Hope Airport"

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Former employee sues Bob Hope Airport
BY JASON KANDEL
The Los Angeles (CA) Daily News


BURBANK - A former Bob Hope Airport police officer has filed suit against
the airport, claiming racial discrimination and wrongful termination. 

Michael Gomez alleges he was humiliated in front of other officers and
discriminated against because he is Latino. 

"He's been subjected to unlawful employment practices which have prevented
him from working," said his attorney, Kevin C. Boyle. "They terminated him
for unlawful reasons which have prevented him from continuing his career and
interrupted his ability to earn a living." 

The suit filed April 12 in Los Angeles Superior Court seeks unspecified
damages for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress and mental
suffering. 

Airport spokesman Victor Gill said airport officials do not comment on
pending cases. 

The suit says Gomez was fired Sept. 2, 2005, following a fight with a fellow
officer, even though he did not instigate it and had received satisfactory
and exemplary marks in annual reviews in 2003 and 2004. 

The suit also said he was treated differently than his non-Latino
colleagues, such as berating only him for duties performed by various
officers.


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