Mr Hans J Sack president of Latrobe Specialty Steel Company said that a federal lawsuit filed last week by four fired employees alleging age discrimination was merit less and casted unfounded accusations on former colleagues, including himself.

The lawsuit, filed in Pittsburgh, alleges that longtime employees Mr Douglas Hodczak of Derry, Mr James M Crossan of Latrobe, Mr Thomas Magdic of Ligonier and Mr Joseph Litvik of Blairsville, were fired under the pretext of sending offensive e mails and that in fact it was age discrimination because they all are older than 55.

Mr Sack said in a statement that they admitted violating company rules regarding e mails. Pittsburgh attorney Mr Bruce C Fox, who represents the former employees, said that the ex workers anticipate they will prove the allegations when the case goes before a jury.