A long-time employee has taken legal action against his former employer, alleging wrongful termination and age discrimination. The complaint was filed by Terry Shorten on September 8, 2025, in the Superior Court of California for the County of Ventura against Oaknoll Condominium Association.
Terry Shorten, who had been employed as the on-site general manager at Oaknoll Condominium Association since July 28, 2008, claims that his dismissal in November 2024 was unjust and motivated by retaliation and age discrimination. According to the lawsuit, Shorten’s employment contract initially allowed termination only for cause and required any amendments to be made in writing. Despite a consistent track record over more than 16 years without negative performance reviews or disciplinary actions, Shorten alleges that new board members elected in April 2024 sought to cut costs and targeted him due to his age. “The timing of these adverse employment actions…constituted age-based discrimination,” states the complaint.
Shorten’s legal filing details a series of events leading up to his termination. He received a job performance evaluation for the first time in October 2024 after Mary Davis became president of the board. Although he met expectations overall, some areas were noted for improvement despite no prior written warnings. Shortly thereafter, discrepancies regarding vacation accruals surfaced—an issue Shorten himself reported upon discovery. However, this incident was cited as a reason for his termination on November 26, 2024. The lawsuit argues that this reasoning is pretextual and retaliatory given that all payroll information was regularly reviewed by board members.
In addition to claims of wrongful termination and retaliation under California labor laws and FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act), Shorten accuses Oaknoll Condominium Association of breaching both implied-in-fact and oral employment contracts. He asserts that following the expiration of his written contract in September 2009, an implied agreement continued based on verbal assurances from then-president Phyllis Belisle about maintaining existing terms unless amended in writing.
Shorten seeks various forms of relief from the court including compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits; emotional distress damages; punitive damages where applicable; attorney’s fees; costs incurred during litigation; as well as any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Terry Shorten is attorney Mitchell R. Stein from the Law Office of Mitchell R. Stein APC located in Woodland Hills, California. The case is presided over by Judge K. Bieker under Case Number: 2025 CUWVTO5041.
Source: 2025CUWT050414_Terry_Shorten_v_Oaknoll_Condominium_Complaint_County_of_Ventura_California.pdf
