BELLEVILLE — A homosexual man claims he was fired because of his sexual orientation and based on false allegations that he had a "same-sex attraction" to another employee.
Robert Vishino filed a complaint Oct. 7 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against International Entertainment Consultants Inc., alleging violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Vishino states in his complaint that while working for International Entertainment Consultants, he was illegally terminated based on his sexual orientation and as a result of the company's "negligent supervision." Specifically, Vishino alleges that on July 18, 2018, he was terminated due to International Entertainment's belief that he "had a same-sex attraction and was perceived as having a same-sex attraction." He also claims he "lacks any propensity to engage in unwelcomed or unconsented to sexual contact with any individual."
Vishino claims International Entertainment "harbored discriminatory animus" against him and that the defendant failed to "conduct a fair, impartial and thorough investigation" regarding the allegations against him before terminating his employment.
He also claims the company failed to "adequately supervise" his manager as to her "performance of the investigation" into the accusations against him.
According to his complaint, Vishino filed an employment discrimination complaint on July 9 and received a Notice of Substantial Evidence from the Illinois Human Rights Commission prior to filing a complaint in the circuit court.
Vishino seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Attorney Bruce Bramoweth in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 20-L-0779