Reporter Says TMZ Fired Him for Objecting|To Drinking & Drugging Co-Workers

LOS ANGELES (CN) - A reporter-producer claims celebrity gossip site TMZ Productions fired him from his $78,000-a-year job after he complained about having "to endure working on assignments with co-workers who were drinking and using illegal drugs on the job."

Christian Shostle claims in Superior Court that he returned from medical leave for depression on April 23, 2009. Two days later, he says, he complained to his boss "that his co-workers were using illegal drugs on the job, which was aggravating his stress condition and making his work environment harmful." He claims TMZ "did nothing to stop the illegal drug use".

Shostle claims that on May 5, 2009, his bosses told him he "was not performing up to par". Two days later, he says, he complained against "about the illicit use of drugs at work by his co-workers and ... that this issue was aggravating his medical condition and that he may need further medical leave."

Shostle says he was fired the next day.

He seeks punitive damages for discrimination, lost earnings, medical expenses and pain and suffering. He is represented by Joshua Glotzer with Glotzer & Sweat of Beverly Hills.

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