Mastou v. Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc.

Filing 37

MEMORANDUM OPINION re Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by District Judge Claude M. Hilton on 11/17/17. (klau, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Alexandria Division

MOHAMAD MASTOU,

Plaintiff,

Civil Action No. 1:17-cv-00196

V.

MIDDLE EAST BROADCASTING

NETWORKS, INC.,
Defendant.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

THIS

MATTER comes before

the

Court on

Defendant's

Motion

for Summary Judgment.
This case arises from the termination of Plaintiff Mohamad

Mastou's employment by Defendant Middle East Broadcasting
Networks, Inc. ("MBN"). MBN is a U.S. government-funded news

organization that focuses on reporting news to the Middle East.
Plaintiff was a reporter for MBN from February 2013 until his
termination in December 2015. MBN's stated reason for the

termination was that Plaintiff committed plagiarism.

Plaintiff was diagnosed with PTSD in December 2014, as a

result of personal traumatic experiences in Syria and witnessing

by video a bombing incident in Syria that resulted in the death
of his father and brother. Plaintiff did not inform MBN of his