Newark Burger King owner settles discrimination suit

The owner of a Newark Burger King has settled a discrimination lawsuit with a former employee. Jordan Myrie, 18, claims he was fired from the chain restaurant two years ago because of his hearing aids.

News 12 Staff

Feb 14, 2008, 11:49 PM

Updated 6,295 days ago

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The owner of a Newark Burger King has settled a discrimination lawsuit with a former employee.
Jordan Myrie, 18, claims he was fired from the chain restaurant two years ago because of his hearing aids.
?I lasted through the first six hours of the shift. I came in the next day ready to work, and before I started, my manager pulled me to the side and said, ?Sorry, my boss doesn?t want you here because of your hearing aids. We?re going to have to let you go,?? Myrie says.
Myrie?s mother found an attorney and eventually filed a discrimination lawsuit against Andy Patel, the owner, and the Burger King corporation. Patel recently agreed to pay a cash settlement, rather than go to trial. As part of the settlement, Patel must set up discrimination law training for all of his employees.
Patel insists the firing was for business-related reasons. His attorney told News 12 New Jersey in a statement that Patel denies Myrie?s termination was motivated by discrimination. The statement also says, ?Until he was served with the lawsuit, the owner did not even know that the plaintiff had a hearing disability.?