Former employee accuses art gallery of wrongful termination, discrimination

An ex-art business employee sued his former employer, charging wrongful termination and violation of civil rights law for alleged discriminatory hiring policies.

James Finnerty, of Houston, filed suit Dec. 30, 2014, in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Peter Lik Galleria Inc., doing business as Peter Lik Fine Art Photography and Peter Lik Retail USA, with headquarters in Las Vegas.

According to the complaint, Finnerty began working for Peter Lik in May 2010, and was asked to relocate to Houston to become a gallery director, where operations and sales were subsequently documented as being adequate. When Finnerty learned the company does not hire African-Americans for sales positions and he protested the policy, he was demoted and terminated, the suit states.

Charging violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the plaintiff alleges loss of income, humiliation, and damage to his credibility and prospects for future employment.

Finnerty seeks actual and compensatory damages, lost earnings, attorney fees, expenses and costs. He is represented by attorneys Ellen Sprovach and Gregg Rosenberg of Rosenberg & Sprovach in Houston.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number: 4:14-CV-03718