Michael Johnson, former Managing Director of Fortress Investment Group LLC has sued Fortress after being sacked only days after returning to work following treatment for motor neurone disease (MND), a degenerative disease which has now made him wheelchair bound.
He was only employed for approximately 18 months as Managing Director.
Fortress have denied his claims and said they were unaware of his condition and that he was fired because of poor performance and a change of strategy within the business.
Michael Johnson disputed this saying he had received positive feedback about his work and a bonus of $585,330.
He said that he noticed a weakness in his leg at the end of 2014. Between February and July 2015, he was also absent on more than 20 occasions as doctors investigated his condition. He claims he confided in his colleagues about his various absences and the reason for them.
He also asserted in the Employment Tribunal that he could barely walk 50 meters when he was fired.
There is no information about the sum of money he is claiming. However, compensation awards made by Employment Tribunals are capped at about 80,000 pounds ($105,000) unless claimants can prove they were victims of discrimination, or were fired for whistle-blowing.
