Dallas communications company sued for age discrimination

MARSHALL - After 26 years working for a Dallas communications company, an employee claims he was fired due to his age.

Claiming violations of the Age Discrimination Act, Michael Lee Watts Jr. filed suit against L-3 Communications Corp. and L-3 Communications AIS GP Corp. on Jan. 12 in the Eastern District of Texas.

Watts states he was counseled by four supervisors on July 21, 2010, regarding his "autotime" and time spent in a specific work area. He was suspended pending a complete investigation.

According to the lawsuit, Watts was photographed walking to the facility almost two hours after his recorded time. The suit states he was terminated on July 27, 2010.

Watts, 52, argues that the reason given for his termination was false and was a pretext for age discrimination. He states that in the two years prior to his termination, at least two other male employees over the age of 40 were also terminated.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for lost back wages, insurance benefits, lost future wages, emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, embarrassment, severe disappointment, indignation, shame, despair, public humiliation, punitive damages, court costs and attorney's fees.

Watts is represented by Tyler attorneys William S. Hommel Jr. and Charles D. Cowan.

A jury trial is requested.

Case No. 2:12-cv-00028