Man accuses AVI Foodsystem of discrimination

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing AVI Foodsystem, Inc. WVSC Culinary Services after he claims he was discriminated against and his employment was wrongfully terminated.

Christopher Saldivar was employed by the defendant and claims his employment was terminated because he is a Mexican male over the age of 40, according to a complaint filed May 26 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Saldivar claims he was wrongfully discharged from his employment because of his race and age on March 28.

The defendant falsely accused Saldivar of distributing drugs while on the job and discharged him without the benefit of a hearing or written or verbal warning, according to the suit.

Saldivar claims as a part of their reason for terminating him, the defendant utilized a "falsely induced statement of an individual who had no comprehension of reading or writing."

Saldivar is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is representing himself.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-870