BECKLEY -- A former manager is suing his previous employer, alleging his job was terminated in violation of labor laws.
Joseph D. Rotenberry filed a lawsuit Jan. 28 in Raleigh Circuit Court against Mato Corporation, a West Virginia corporation, and Mato Curt Matthaei, a foreign corporation, alleging he was fired because of a perceived disability.
Mato manufactures belt fasteners and belt maintenance products.
The lawsuit states Rotenberry was hired Sept. 15, 2012, as a general sales manager. He completed his 90-day probationary period, his salary was increased and he was set to receive a profit sharing bonus, the complaint states. Rotenberry traveled with Mato Corp. President Robert Hill and Mato Curt Matthaei Managing Director Hans Richter in April 2013. Richter was rude and asked personal questions during the trip, eventually discovering that Rotenberry had Type 2 diabetes and previous pancreatic trouble, the complaint states.
Rotenberry claims he was treated differently by Hill and co-workers after the trip and was terminated in July with Hill stating the company was downsizing, according to the complaint.
Rotenberry is seeking backpay from termination date, reinstatement of front pay, treble damages, interest, compensatory damages, punitive damages, court costs and any other relief of the court. He is being represented by private attorney Stephen P. New. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Robert A. Burnside.
Raleigh Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-64-B