Military veteran sues firm, alleges age discrimination

A St. Tammany Parish resident brought suit against a company for allegedly violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as well as for unlawful hiring practices.

Gene A. Love Sr. filed suit against Greatwide Dedicated Transport III LLC of Baton Rouge and its subsidiary, Greatwide Logistics Services LLC of Dallas, in the Eastern District of Louisiana on Feb. 19, citing workplace age discrimination.

According to the suit, Love is a Marine Corps veteran with about 30 years’ experience operating large motor vehicles. Having concluded a stint working for an emergency and hazardous waste cleanup company following the 2010 BP oil spill, Love sought employment with the defendants.

The complaint states that the plaintiff filled out an online application and appeared for an interview on July 10, 2014. He was hired on July 17 and asked to report to the Greatwide facility in Pearl River.

After being processed with other new hires, he was asked to stay behind and questioned. According to the suit, when staff discovered that he was 75 years old, he was told he was too old for the position and was asked to leave.

The plaintiff filed a charge of age discrimination with the EEOC and received notice of the right to sue on Nov. 29. He also acted to lessen his damages by finding alternate employment at a local Holiday Inn, the complaint states.

Alleging that he was qualified for the original position he sought, the plaintiff seeks compensation for past and future lost wages and benefits; lost career opportunities; reputational damages; and distress, along with attorney’s fees, expenses and costs.

He is represented by Joseph Bruno and Daniel Meyer of Bruno & Bruno in New Orleans.

U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana:  2:15-cv-00550-JCZ-DEK