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Ex-General Manager of KNX-AM Files Age-Discrimination Lawsuit

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Special to The Times

George Nicholaw, the former general manager of news station KNX-AM (1070) who was best known to Southland listeners for his on-air editorials, filed an age-discrimination lawsuit Wednesday over his departure from the station in October.

Nicholaw, 75, seeks unspecified punitive damages, back pay and other expenses, although he is not asking to be reinstated.

Nicholaw was named vice president and general manager of KNX in August 1967.

He and the station won numerous awards and accolades from journalism organizations, public officials and others during his 36 years there until Viacom Inc.’s Infinity Radio division allegedly fired him. Infinity, the country’s second-largest radio company, didn’t offer a public explanation for its decision.

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“It was a surprise because the station was doing well, and he was one of the most respected people in the entire industry,” said Neil Papiano, Nicholaw’s attorney.

“It certainly wasn’t based on his performance.”

Infinity spokeswoman Karen Mateo said the firm would not comment on pending litigation.

In August, Infinity, which also owns all-news station KFWB-AM (980), transferred Pat Duffy, then general manager of the company’s oldies outlet, KRTH-FM (101.1), and made him vice president and market manager of the two news stations.

In October, the company eliminated the jobs of Nicholaw and his KFWB counterpart, Roger Nadel.

According to the lawsuit, Infinity Chief Operating Officer Joel Hollander assured Nicholaw his job remained safe after Duffy’s transfer. But a month later Hollander told Nicholaw that he’d be reassigned, according to the suit.

When Nicholaw expressed dismay at what he saw as a demotion, Hollander told him, “I understand. My father-in-law is 79,” the suit says.

The suit alleges that Infinity gave Duffy, then 52, the same job Nicholaw held, only under a different title. It also says Nicholaw received “excellent performance evaluations, merit bonuses and raises” and was promised he wouldn’t be fired arbitrarily.

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On Oct. 10, Duffy and an Infinity attorney fired Nicholaw, according to the suit.

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