Billy Ray Sued For Discrimination

A former road manager and part-time farmhand for Billy Ray Cyrus has sued the country singer and his estranged wife Leticia for what he says is age discrimination under the Tennessee Human Rights Act.

The lawsuit, filed Jan. 10 by Paul A. Abraham in Davidson County Circuit Court in Nashville, claims Cyrus referred to Abraham, 61, as “old and dumb and didn’t know anything about running a farm.”

Abraham was let go May 1 as part of a “work force reduction.”

Also named in the suit are Singin Hill Farms and Flatwoods Productions, the company that handles Cyrus’ music business.

The lawsuit seeks $500,000 in addition to a jury assessment of punitive and compensatory damages for “pain, humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress” and court fees.

Charles J. Friddell, Abraham’s attorney, said Cyrus hired his client as his road and stage manager in 2007 but Abraham had worked for the singer on and off for about 12 years.

Abraham did various jobs at Cyrus’ Singin Hills Farm in Tennessee or at the Cyrus’ California home when not on the road, the lawsuit says.