Court Rejects Retaliation Case Against Hilton Hotel

(CN) - The 2nd Circuit dismissed an Egyptian-American's complaint against Hilton Hotels for firing him after he complained that another employee called him a "terrorist Muslim Taliban."

Walid El Sayed, a U.S. citizen and practicing Muslim of Egyptian descent, claimed he lost his job as an assistant to the housekeeping director, Barbara Still, three weeks after he complained about the co-worker's comment.

Hilton argued that it dismissed El Sayed because of incomplete employment history on his job application.

A federal judge sided with the hotel chain, ruling that El Sayed's pro se retaliation claim hinged solely on the short timeframe between the co-worker's remark and his firing.

The 2nd Circuit agreed in an unsigned decision.

"Additionally, appellant concedes that he omitted certain employment history from his application to work at the Hilton, and has not disputed the Hilton's assertion that this omission was grounds for termination under Hilton's employment policies," the judges wrote.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit