Fired for Refusing Polygraph, Hyundai Manager Says

FORT WORTH - The former general manager of a North Texas Hyundai dealership claims in court that he was fired for refusing to take a lie detector test.

Mark Clark sued Jerry Durant Hyundai in Federal Court, alleging violations of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

Jerry Durant Hyundai, of Granbury, Texas, is the only named defendant.

Clark claims that Robert G. Cote Sr., "a high-ranking executive in the Jerry Durant automobile empire, approached Clark and demanded that he take a lie detector test" in the fall of 2011.

"According to Cote, there were concerns about a possible theft in connection with the Durant Toyota dealership branch located in Granbury," according to the complaint.

Clark said he did not have an office at the Toyota dealership, did not have access to the stolen property, had done nothing wrong and that Cote and Durant "had no reasonable suspicion whatsoever to believe that Clark was involved in the theft at the Toyota dealership".

He claims he was coerced into taking exam by being told that other employees, including Cote, would take the lie detector test.

But Clark says that Cote told him later that only he, Clark, and the "office girls" would be subjected to the test.

Clark says contacted another superior, Don Allen, who advised him not to take the test. Clark says he refused to take it and he was fired in November.

Clark seeks lost wages, front pay and compensatory and punitive damages for violation of the Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

He is represented by Hugh Connor with Kelly, Hart & Hallman.

In business since 1970, Jerry Durant Auto Group operates seven auto dealerships in Weatherford and Granbury, according to its website.

Follow @davejourno

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