CHARLESTON -- A Charleston man is suing Olive Garden after he claims he was wrongfully terminated from his employment because of his age.
Janna Hutchinson, an employee of Olive Garden, was also named as a defendant in the suit.
GMRI, Inc. is doing business as Olive Garden.
George Gates was employed at Olive Garden from Feb. 25, 2008, until March 2, 2011, according to a complaint filed June 12 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Gates claims during his employment, the defendants subjected him to age discrimination and a hostile work environment.
The defendants' actions were in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.
Gates claims the defendants falsely alleged that he was discharged for violation of company policy instead of the real reason being his age.
The defendants later replaced Gates with a younger employee, according to the suit.
Gates is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by John Einreinhofer.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-1087
