Details Surface On Protective Action Filed Against Hornets

Attorneys representing a lawsuit filed against the Hornets over the team's failure to pay overtime “are requesting a court motion for a protective order to address what they say are threats and misrepresentations made by the Hornets,” according to John Reid of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Several former employees in sworn affidavits accuse four current Hornets execs, including President Paul Mott, of “threatening firings and bad employment references, providing misinformation or banning current employees from speaking to former employees possibly involved in the suit.” The affidavits allege Mott e-mailed current Hornets employees on May 31 and forbid them from “speaking to any employee who had left the company within the past 60 days.” Mott said of the protective order, “The Hornets have done nothing wrong and deny all of the allegations.” The complaint also claims Hornets Dir of Guest Relations & Premium Seat Services Marie Parenti “advised her employees that the suit was not going well for the plaintiffs and that the case was going to be dismissed” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 7/30).