Disney Worker Fired Over Gun Files Lawsuit In Attempt To Get Job Back
Man Attempts To Get Job Back
POSTED: Friday, July 11, 2008
UPDATED: 1:49 pm EDT July 11,
2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- An employee who challenged Disney over Florida's new gun-at-work law -- and was subsequently fired -- filed a lawsuit on Friday in an attempt to get his job back.Edwin Sotomayor, 36, of Kissimmeee, was terminated from his job as a security officer for violating company policies and failing to cooperate during an investigation after he took a gun to work and left it in his vehicle.Disney recently announced that it was exempt from a new state law that says workers can take guns to work as long as they leave them locked in their cars. Disney claims the law does not apply to its employees because it has explosives on its property."It is a big deal to me and to thousands of people around the country that believe that Disney is very un-American," said Sotomayor, who personally paid the $300 fee to file the lawsuit."What we're trying to do is to reinstate him to his position at Disney, which he loved, and to reinstate all benefits that he had that were taken away. And, of course, to undo the trespass warning," attorney Jon Gutmacher said."The company is telling the terrorists, 'Come on in. It's not going to matter. You can leave your weapons of mass destruction in the parking lot, we don't have a problem with that. But employees? Can't happen. Sorry,'" Sotomayor said."We have no idea what this lawsuit is about. It doesn't change our position that the exemption is clear. We won't compromise the safety our guests and cast members at the Walt Disney World Resort," Disney said in a statement.The incident came to light after Sotomayor informed local media about the gun. Media outlets called Disney, leading to the search request, suspension and firing.Orange County sheriff's deputies were called by Disney management to maintain order and to issue a formal trespass warning to Sotomayor when he refused the search.Sotomayor was suspended after the incident before being fired on Monday.Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
Previous Stories:
- July 7, 2008: Disney Fires Employee Over Gun At Work
- July 5, 2008: Disney Employee Suspended After Taking Gun To Work
- July 3, 2008: NRA Blasts Disney Over Gun Law
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