HUNTINGTON – A former employee claims AM East LLC terminated her employment because of her age.
Sheila L. Clark was employed by AM East from Nov. 1, 1995, until April 5, 2013, according to a complaint initially filed on Dec. 4 in Cabell Circuit Court and removed to federal court on Jan. 8.
On April 5, 2013, Clark's employment was terminated, which violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.
Clark claims AM East's discharge of her was in whole or in part because of her age, which means the company discriminated against her paged on her age.
At all times during her employment, Clark properly performed her job duties as required by AM East, according to the suit.
Clark claims the defendant's violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act entitles her to an award of reinstatement, or, in the alternative, front pay in lieu of reinstatement for the loss of future income and other pecuniary employment-related benefits
As a direct and proximate result of the discharge and violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act, Clark is also entitled to back pay and an award for emotional distress, embarrassment and mental anguish, according to the suit.
Clark claims her supervisor, Roann Leonard, was involved either directly or indirectly in the decision to terminate her employment, by either making the final decision or by recommending the termination, all of which was motivated because of Clark's age.
The defendants also failed to timely pay Clark's final wages, which violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act.
Clark is seeking compensatory, liquidated and punitive damages. She is being represented by J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices; and G. Patrick Jacobs of Jacobs Law Offices.
The case is assigned to District Judge Robert C. Chambers.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number: 3:15-cv-00384
