2nd ex-employee files suit against Schanze

Just over a month after settling a religious discrimination suit filed by a former employee, the owner of a local computer company is being sued by a second former employee, who claims her former employer discriminated against people who were not members of the LDS faith.

In a suit filed in U.S. District Court on Friday, Sherri Young claims she was subjected to derogatory remarks about the religious beliefs of others and derogatory remarks about women from "Super" Dell Schanze, president of Totally Awesome Computers.

In addition, Young, a former bookkeeper, is suing for defamation over a statement Schanze allegedly made about her to a Salt Lake City Weekly reporter.

According to the quote, as stated in the lawsuit, Schanze accuses Young of defrauding the state and stealing money from his company. "And not to mention, she's got to be the freaking ugliest chick you could possibly imagine," Schanze is quoted as saying.

In her suit, Young claims all those accusations are untrue and are defamatory. A search of court records showed no criminal charges filed against Young, in particular since she was hired at Totally Awesome Computers in December 2000.

Young alleges that when she worked more than 40 hours a week, supervisors instructed her to attribute the extra hours to Schanze's other business, TAC Weapons, or to "donate" the hours. She claims she has been underpaid by an estimated $69,000. In total, Young is asking for damages of slightly less than $500,000.

"It's just completely ludicrous," Schanze told the Deseret Morning News about the suit. "It doesn't surprise me a bit."

Schanze said Young is simply trying to mimic the actions of another former employee who sued him for religious discrimination.

Last June, Schanze settled a federal suit filed by William Carlton May, who alleged his former employer made repeated "derogatory remarks" and sent e-mails about those who were not LDS. As part of the settlement, Schanze did not have to admit to any of May's allegations.

Schanze made recent news when he was booked last month on charges of reckless driving and threatening to use a dangerous weapon in a fight during a confrontation with neighbors about his speeding. He has denied the charges.

Schanze said Friday he plans to fight the latest suit against him in court.

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E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com