CHARLESTON – A Jackson County man is suing Century Aluminum Company after he claims it discriminated against him because of his age.
Gordon M. Hopper was employed but Century at its Ravenswood location and also would perform work at Century’s Hawesville, Ky., plant and Sebree, Ky., plant, according to a complaint filed in Jackson Circuit Court and removed to federal court.
Hopper claims while employed by Century, he worked at the level of plant manager at Ravenswood and was brought in on special assignment to train and correct problems at the Hawesville and Sebree plants.
It was the plaintiff’s understanding that once he was no longer needed to be retained at the Ravenswood plant, that he would be employed as a plant manager or similar position, however, instead of retaining his employment, the defendant selected a younger, less qualified individual in the position when Hopper was more qualified, according to the suit.
Hopper claims in order to relieve itself of its legal responsibility, Century offered to settle his age discrimination case by paying a sum of money in exchange for a complete and full release of the age discrimination claim, which Hopper rejected.
The discharge of Hopper because of his age violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.
Hopper is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices.
Century Aluminum is represented by Mark H. Dellinger and Justin H. Harrison of Bowles Rice LLP.
The case is assigned to District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number: 2:16-cv-00172