New York - The Feds sued Merrill Lynch yesterday on behalf of a former employee who claims he was canned because his bosses said his background as a Muslim Iranian made him a threat to U.S. security.
Merrill discriminated against Majid Borumand by failing to promote him two years ago and then booting him, according to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint filed in Manhattan Federal Court. The agency is seeking unspecified damages.
During his employment, the suit alleges Borumand was told, "The reason that you are not allowed on the trading floor is because you are from a country which has a high risk factor and a threat."
A Merrill spokesman insisted none of it was true: "We respectfully, but strongly, disagree with the EEOC and deny all of Mr. Borumand's allegations."
Even his job title is in dispute. [dailynews]