US Sues Air Methods Corp, Alleging Discrimination

   DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

The U.S. Justice Department is suing medical-emergency air transportation company Air Methods Corp. (AIRM), claiming it discriminated against an Alaskan Army National Guard pilot.

The department said Jonathon L. Goodwin of Wasilla, Alaska, has been a member of the Guard for nearly 20 years, "with honorable service as both a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot."

The complaint says he was a helicopter pilot for Air Methods when he was called up for nine months of active duty, including deployment to Iraq. The department claimed Air Methods refused to accept Goodwin for a contract position at a privately held Alaskan medevac company, LifeMed Alaska, after he returned from active duty. The complaint alleges Air Methods refused his application because of LifeMed's "bias against recently returned service members as well as an unwillingness to accommodate Goodwin's possible future military obligations."

The department is also suing LifeMed, claiming both willfully violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994. The act prohibits employers from discriminating against service members and requires them to promptly reemploy those who leave their civilian jobs once they return.

A message left at Air Methods wasn't immediately returned.

Shares closed Thursday down 3.7% at $66.19 and weren't active after the news. The stock has nearly doubled in value in the last year.

-By Joan E. Solsman, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2291; [e-mail]