Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Washington Blade - October 3, 2008
Chris Johnson
By issuing the penalty last week, James Hartmann supported a recommendation made by the Alexandria Human Rights Commission, which ruled unanimously June 30 that Carlson Restaurants violated the city's Human Rights Code when it fired James McCray from his general manager job at the TGI Friday's in Alexandria.
But Hartmann is staying collection of the fine until the Alexandria Circuit Court reviews the matter. Carlson Restaurants asked the court Aug. 27 to review the commission's decision.
Edward Semonian, the court's clerk, said the court had not yet decided whether it would take up the matter. He did not know when such a decision would be made.
Hartmann revealed his decision to levy the fine in a Sept. 17 letter to Carlson Restaurants.
ôI have determined that levying a civil penalty against TGI Friday's/Carlson Restaurants for its act of unlawful discrimination against Mr. McCray is warranted,ö the letter says.
McCray, a 39-year-old Woodbridge, Va., resident, could not be reached for comment.
He told the Blade in August that he intended to file a federal lawsuit against Carlson Restaurants for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, which protects people who are HIV positive.
Amy Freshwater, a spokesperson for Carlson Restaurants, did not respond to a request to comment.
McCray lost his job at TGI Friday's on July 26, 2006. He said the company fired him the day after he disclosed he has HIV. The company has countered that McCray was terminated because of concerns over restaurant operations and his integrity.
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