Court of Appeals hears Lincoln University discrimination case

Lincoln University leaders denied accusations of discrimination against a former employee Wednesday. After Kenneth Ferguson was fired from his job in 2012, the employee of 35 years filed a complaint saying he had been fired because of his age.

Last year, a jury ruled in his favor and awarded him more than $100,000. Today, the Missouri Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case.

Ferguson’s attorney, Michael Berry says the college let him go because he was at retirement age: “Lincoln University decided to discharges two employees on the basis of the fact that they were eligible to retire. Under the retirement plan that Lincoln University has, the only way to be eligible to retire is to be in a protected age category.”

The attorney for Lincoln University tells us the college didn’t factor retirement eligibility into the decision and says Ferguson was let go due to budget cuts only.

On average, the Missouri Court of Appeals takes at least one month to issue a ruling.