Witness Claims He Was Fired After Xmas

CLEVELAND (CN) - A baker who refused to decorate Christmas cakes claims in court that his boss fired him because he's a Jehovah's Witness.

Charles DiGiorgi sued Dave's Supermarket in Cuyahoga County Court.

DiGiorgi claims Dave's hired him as a baker on Dec. 14, 2011.

On or about Christmas, he says, "Dave's discovered the fact that DiGiorgi is a Jehovah's Witness.

"Dave's learned that DiGiorgi is a Jehovah's Witness because, pursuant to his religious beliefs, DiGiorgi did not decorate Dave's Christmas cakes.

"Dave's also learned that DiGiorgi is a Jehovah's Witness because he did not attend the company Christmas party."

DiGiorgi claims Dave's retaliated against him for his religious beliefs by transferring him, on Jan. 8, 2012, and firing him on Jan. 21.

He claims that when he asked why he was being fired, a Dave's boss told him: "You know why."

He claims he was fired because he's a Jehovah's Witness.

He demands more than $25,000, and punitive damages, for discrimination, wrongful firing and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

He is represented by Brian Spitz, of Euclid, Ohio.