Detroit Red Wings Fire Zamboni Driver Al Sobotka After 30 Years For Peeing In Drain; Sobotka Seeking Compensatory Damages In Lawsuit

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According to a complaint filed in Michigan’s Wayne County Circuit Court, a longtime Detroit Red Wings Zamboni driver was terminated after another male employee discovered him urinating into the zamboni run-off drain at Little Caesars Arena. 

Al Sobotka, the 30-year zamboni driver, claims he was discriminated against because of his age and disability, which would be a breach of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act of the state.

The incident occured when Sobotka returned a Zamboni to the garage at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 2 after using it to clean the LCA ice.

According to the complaint, Sobotka – who claims in the lawsuit to have benign prostatic hypertrophy, which causes frequent urination – had to go immediately, according to the lawsuit.

Sobotka was urinating between two Zambonis in the garage, which is solely accessible to the all-male ice crew, when he was spotted by another employee.

Sobotka  was suspended for a week after meeting with his supervisor and a human resources representative two days later. On February 17, Sobotka was dismissed from his position.

In the lawsuit, Sobotka and his legal team are seeking compensatory damages.

The Detroit Free Press was the first to report on the lawsuit’s specifics.

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