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$2M discrimination lawsuit filed against Telesource
A former employee of the then-Telesource CNMI Inc. has filed a $2-million discrimination lawsuit against his former employers over his alleged termination in 2006 due to his disability from a vehicular accident.
In a pro se complaint or without a lawyer, Garabed O. Mirzoian is suing former Telesource chief executive officer Nidal Z. Zayed and general manager Michael N. El-Rahl with wrongful termination, employment discrimination, disability discrimination, for pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
According to Mirzoian, Telesource has changed its name to Pernix Group Inc. and that El-Rahl and Zayed are now based in the company’s offices in Fiji Islands and Illinois, respectively.
The plaintiff said Telesource terminated him after finding he was injured as a result of a vehicular accident involving two buses.
He said he suffered serious injuries during the accident that took place during the scope of his employment with Telesource.
Mirzoian said before he was medically referred to Guam, Telesource tried to negotiate with a lower pay for him because he had received a letter from a doctor stating he could work “light duty only.”
Mirzoian said he refused the offer because he was hoping that his nerve problem could be fixed.
He said El-Rahl advised him that if he does not take or sign the agreement, he will be fired.
He said he was subsequently medically referred to the Philippines for surgery.
The plaintiff said he was then terminated without cause on the day the lower pay was offered.
Mirzoian said when his body recovered from the surgery, he sought help from attorneys on Saipan, but no one could help mostly due to “conflict of interest.”
He added that he is a shareholder of Telesource.
