Ex-Executive Blames Firing on Nationality
By Special to the Sun
March 29, 2007
The former chief financial officer of a company that owns the Plaza has filed a discrimination lawsuit against his former employer, alleging he was fired last year because he is not Israeli.
John Bove is suing Elad Properties NY, claiming the Israeli firm wanted only Israeli executives, according to the suit. He is seeking attorneys fees and unspecified damages.
Mr. Bove alleges that one company official told him he was "no longer useful" because he didn't speak Hebrew.
Elad's attorney, Robert Gosseen, called the suit baseless, adding that Mr. Bove's replacement is Indian and doesn't speak Hebrew.
Elad purchased the Plaza in 2004 for $675 million and converted the hotel into apartments..