Courthouse Steps

CAUSES OF ACTION: Wrongful termination in violation of public policy; unfair business practices in violation of Calif. Business and Professions Code Sec. 17200 et seq.; and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

COMPLAINT ALLEGATIONS: The plaintiff was a disc jockey for KJLH, a station in Inglewood, CA. In June 2003, the plaintiff was contacted by a representative of a record company who said he had been instructed by Aundrae Russell, the station's program director, to contact the station's creative director, Levi Booker, if he wanted a certain Earth, Wind & Fire song added to the station's playlist. Booker told the representative that this would cost $3500. The representative gave the amount to him in cash. The representative told the plaintiff that KJLH was not giving the song enough play. When the plaintiff told Russell about this, Russell appeared angry that the plaintiff had this information. From then on, Russell's attitude toward the plaintiff became hostile. About 2-3 weeks later, the station conducted a promotional event spotlighting Earth, Wind & Fire for a full day. To the plaintiff's knowledge, the station had never done this for anyone except defendant Morris (aka Stevie Wonder), who has a substantial ownership interest in the station. When the plaintiff later told Wonder of his concerns, Wonder said that he would put Booker on notice to straighten up or be fired. In October 2003, Russell fired the plaintiff without offering a reason.