Former salesman accuses car dealer of age discrimination

BECKLEY -- A former car salesman is suing, alleging he was fired because of his age.

Michael Ross Lafferty filed suit in Raleigh Circuit Court against Hometown Preowned Vehicles Inc., doing business as Hyundai of Beckley, and Ernest Davis.

According to the complaint, Lafferty was hired by the defendant in October 2006 as a salesman until July 2, 2012. On that date the plaintiff was called into the office of his supervisor, Ernest Davis, who informed the plaintiff the dealership was to receive a new look and expressed a desire to replace Lafferty with a younger employee, despite the plaintiff being a good salesman, the suit states.

The defendant is accused of age discrimination and age-based harassment.

Lafferty is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs and fees.

He is represented by Morgantown attorneys Stephen B. Farmer and Matthew H. Nelson of Farmer, Cline & Campbell PLLC. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Robert A. Burnside.

Raleigh Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-623