Reporter Jane Meinhardt testified that the Clearwater police beat was a “wonderful” job. She is claiming editors at The St. Petersburg Times forced her out of it in the year 2000 because, at 51, she was too old.
Her age discrimination suit seeks unspecified damages in excess of $15,000 and punitive damages.
Times editor Paul Tash said her work was “essentially lackluster and superficial.” Times attorney Alison Steele said Meinhardt was given the choice to retire or move to a general assignment slot under editor’s close supervision.
Meinhardt is now a reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Read the Times’ story here.