A former assistant production accountant for the company behind "American Idol" is suing his ex-employer and a former contestant on the Fox series' fourth season, alleging he was fired for complaining of sexual harassment by the male contestant.
Magdaleno Olmos filed his suit in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging wrongful termination and violation of the state's Fair Employment and Housing Act. He is asking for unspecified
compensatory and punitive damages.
Along with American Idol Productions Inc. and former contestant Mario Vasquez, named defendants are Fremantle Media North America Inc., Fox Entertainment Group Inc. and Fox Broadcasting Co., all listed in the lawsuit as co-owners of the popular show.Spokesmen for Fremantle and Fox Entertainment, as well as Vasquez's personal lawyer, Jess L. Rosen, were not immediately available for comment on the complaint filed last Friday. All of the defendants "knew or should have known that Vasquez was gay or was widely rumored to be so," the lawsuit states.
Vasquez dropped out of the top 12 talent search competition during the fourth season of "American Idol" in March 2005, saying he wanted to focus on personal aspects of his life.
Not that I ever claimed to have great gaydar, but even I knew that he left "American Idol" because he was gay.
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