Westside : Man to Sue Firm, Alleging AIDS Bias

An ex-Marine is expected to file a lawsuit today against Century Communications Corp., alleging that the cable firm fired him after discovering he had AIDS.

Carl Jones worked as customer service supervisor at the company’s Santa Monica office from January 1994 until last February. He says his supervisor found out that he was HIV-positive when she opened a private letter of his. After that, Jones says, his supervisor took steps to push him out, partly by telling co-workers he had AIDS.

“My dying wish is to make sure that Century Cable is brought to justice,” said Jones, 27, a Gulf War veteran who is African American and gay.

Century Communications did not return phone calls seeking comment.

In his suit, which is being filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, Jones alleges that Century Communications harassed him in violation of the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and Santa Monica’s municipal ordinance banning discrimination against people with AIDS. The suit, which seeks unspecified damages but does not name any individuals, also accuses the company of invasion of privacy and wrongful termination.