Former KFDM (Beaumont, Texas) Met Dana Melancon is suing Sinclair Broadcast Group for breaking Texas law by firing him because of his age and/or because of the color of his skin.

The Beaumont Enterprise reports that The 62-year-old, white Melancon worked at the news station for nearly 30 years before he was “abruptly terminated” last year.

Melancon is now seeking at least $300,000 and back and future pay, according to the petition, which was filed late last week.

But Jason Byrd, an attorney representing Melancon, says the lawsuit is indicative of an even bigger problem.

“If I was looking into it as an outside observer, I’d look at the big picture and not just Mr. Melancon,” Byrd said. “You’ve had in the last 12 months, a pretty significant exodus of on-air talent. They did Dana pretty dirty. I think it will be pretty easy to show that. But I think it’s also what’s turned into a toxic place at Channel 6.”

The petition said Melancon signed and renewed an employment agreement in August 2020 for a three-year term. But the following March, he was returned from vacation and was fired “due to cutbacks and his position being eliminated,” the petition said.

Shortly after the termination, a job posting was listed for Melancon’s former position.

He applied but was informed the company would not be moving forward with his application due to a high number of applicants. Instead, the petition said a “younger, African American” without experience as a meteorologist was hired.

“Defendants did so to the detriment of the Plaintiff and in an attempt to replace him with an employee with a much lower salary,” the petition said.

Sinclair has not commented on the lawsuit.