The 61-year-old former road manager of country entertainer Billy Ray Cyrus is suing him and his estranged wife, Tish, for more than a half-million dollars, claiming they fired him because of his age.
According to the lawsuit, filed late Monday in Davidson County Circuit Court, Cyrus told his half-brother that Paul A. Abraham was "old and dumb and don't know anything about running a farm."
When not on tour, Abraham worked primarily in Tennessee at the farm known as "Singin' Hills," where he cut the grass, made repairs and did chores as needed, said Charles J. Friddell, Abraham's Nashville-based lawyer.
Abraham was hired in September 2007 as Billy Ray Cyrus' road/stage manager, but he had worked for Cyrus on and off for the past 12 years, Friddell said.
His responsibilities included the management of all tour, travel, show and family arrangements. He also managed 14 to 17 members of his band, the lawsuit states.
According to the lawsuit, the Cyruses fired Abraham on 1 May 2010. Abraham has about 20 years experience in the music industry.
Abraham is seeking about $500,000, Friddell said.
He also is asking a jury to assess compensatory and punitive damages for his "pain, humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress."
Nicole Chabot, Cyrus' Los Angeles-based publicist, declined to comment Tuesday 11 January 2011.
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