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Richard Weldon saw the social networking trend early.
Collier Sheriff's Office, Rambosk being sued for age discrimination
By AISLING SWIFT
Originally published 02:21 p.m., January 30, 2009
Updated 02:31 p.m., January 30, 2009
NAPLES — A 58-year-old radio coordinator is suing Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, contending he was denied a
promotion to due to his age and then was retaliated against after he complained about the age discrimination.
The lawsuit filed last week by Joseph Agresti in U.S. District Court in Fort Myers accuses Rambosk and the Sheriff's Office of
creating a hostile work environment and seeks damages under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Florida Civil
Rights Act. Agresti was 57 when he filed his internal discrimination complaint against the sheriff's office in March 2008, about a
decade after he was hired.
Spokeswoman Michelle Batten said Rambosk declined comment, adding, "We cannot comment on pending litigation."
Sheriff's Office records show Agresti has been employed by the office since March 31, 1998, after operating a commercial
maintenance business in Weymouth, Mass., which he sold. A job description for senior radio program coordinator shows the job
requires Agresti to maintain and repair two-way radios, solve technical problems, maintain and update software programs,
inventory parts and supplies, install equipment, repair radios, and drive to vehicles to repair radios, vehicle wipers, alternators,
and inspect brakes.
In February 2007, when the telecommunications manager went on sick leave, Agresti, a senior radio coordinator, assumed his
duties while also doing his own job, according to the lawsuit, which alleges that when he expressed interest in the job to his
supervisor, Robert Finney, he was asked his age. When Agresti told Finney, the lawsuit says, he dismissed Agresti's interest,
saying he didn't realize he "was so old."
The lawsuit says the job responsibilities were then awarded to a dispatch supervisor who was about 20 years younger than
Agresti and who lacked his experience, but was paid a higher salary level higher than Agresti's. Agresti attempted to address his
concerns about the age discrimination to superiors several times beginning in March, both verbally and in writing.
As a result, the lawsuit says, Finney and Finney's supervisor, Bill Rule and other employees: ignored him, intentionally failed to
provide him with information necessary to do his job; threatened to launch meritless internal investigations; gave all other
coordinators a raise without providing one to Agresti; compromised his physical safety by attempting to remove security cameras
in the radio shop hall; and removing his assignment of covering natural disasters from the headquarters to a radio shop building.
The lawsuit says Agresti's age was a determining factor in denying him the promotion and violated his state and federal rights
against discrimination. It seeks backpay at the higher rate, reinstatement to the higher position or a raise to that salary level, as
well as other compensatory damages, and attorney fees.
Agresti's attorney, Brad Rothman of Naples, could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuit is assigned to U.S.
District Court Judge Douglas Frazier.
By AISLING SWIFT
Originally published 02:21 p.m., January 30, 2009
Updated 02:31 p.m., January 30, 2009
NAPLES — A 58-year-old radio coordinator is suing Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk, contending he was denied a
promotion to due to his age and then was retaliated against after he complained about the age discrimination.
The lawsuit filed last week by Joseph Agresti in U.S. District Court in Fort Myers accuses Rambosk and the Sheriff's Office of
creating a hostile work environment and seeks damages under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Florida Civil
Rights Act. Agresti was 57 when he filed his internal discrimination complaint against the sheriff's office in March 2008, about a
decade after he was hired.
Spokeswoman Michelle Batten said Rambosk declined comment, adding, "We cannot comment on pending litigation."
Sheriff's Office records show Agresti has been employed by the office since March 31, 1998, after operating a commercial
maintenance business in Weymouth, Mass., which he sold. A job description for senior radio program coordinator shows the job
requires Agresti to maintain and repair two-way radios, solve technical problems, maintain and update software programs,
inventory parts and supplies, install equipment, repair radios, and drive to vehicles to repair radios, vehicle wipers, alternators,
and inspect brakes.
In February 2007, when the telecommunications manager went on sick leave, Agresti, a senior radio coordinator, assumed his
duties while also doing his own job, according to the lawsuit, which alleges that when he expressed interest in the job to his
supervisor, Robert Finney, he was asked his age. When Agresti told Finney, the lawsuit says, he dismissed Agresti's interest,
saying he didn't realize he "was so old."
The lawsuit says the job responsibilities were then awarded to a dispatch supervisor who was about 20 years younger than
Agresti and who lacked his experience, but was paid a higher salary level higher than Agresti's. Agresti attempted to address his
concerns about the age discrimination to superiors several times beginning in March, both verbally and in writing.
As a result, the lawsuit says, Finney and Finney's supervisor, Bill Rule and other employees: ignored him, intentionally failed to
provide him with information necessary to do his job; threatened to launch meritless internal investigations; gave all other
coordinators a raise without providing one to Agresti; compromised his physical safety by attempting to remove security cameras
in the radio shop hall; and removing his assignment of covering natural disasters from the headquarters to a radio shop building.
The lawsuit says Agresti's age was a determining factor in denying him the promotion and violated his state and federal rights
against discrimination. It seeks backpay at the higher rate, reinstatement to the higher position or a raise to that salary level, as
well as other compensatory damages, and attorney fees.
Agresti's attorney, Brad Rothman of Naples, could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuit is assigned to U.S.
District Court Judge Douglas Frazier.