Allegations of workplace discrimination have surfaced in a new federal lawsuit, where a former employee claims he was subjected to harassment and ultimately terminated because of his age and disabilities after nearly 40 years with his employer. The complaint was filed by Mark Vallette on April 14, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Coy Construction, Inc.
According to the filing, Mark Vallette began working for Coy Construction in the mid-1980s at an entry-level wage when the company was just starting out. Over almost four decades, Vallette states that he worked through significant challenges including the 2008 financial crisis—when most colleagues were laid off—and personal health battles such as prostate cancer and multiple hip surgeries. The complaint asserts that during this entire period, Vallette did not receive any disciplinary actions or performance write-ups.
The dispute centers on events beginning in August 2025. The complaint alleges that after Vallette requested a raise following his second hip surgery at age 61, management instead initiated what is described as a “months-long campaign to force him out the door because he was ‘getting old.’” The document specifically names Bryan McCoy, President of Coy Construction, and Adam Kaiser, Production Manager, as individuals who made repeated comments about Vallette’s age and ability to continue working. Statements cited in the filing include: “You’re getting old,” “You won’t be working here in another 5-10 years,” and “I’m not going to fire you, but I’m going to force you to retire.”
Vallette claims these comments led to severe stress and anxiety requiring psychiatric medication. He further alleges that management responded by assigning him tasks designed to be impossible under field conditions. Despite notifying management about his mental health struggles and medication regimen, Vallette says the discriminatory treatment continued.
The complaint describes an incident on November 5, 2025, when Vallette recorded a meeting with McCoy and Kaiser during which explicit statements about his age and mental health were made. According to the document: “You’re in your 60s man but this is a young man’s job,” “our crew leaders are younger dudes,” “I admire that you want to work for Coy Construction until your 70 years old—that’s not going to happen,” and “I’m not going to fire you, but I’m going to force you to retire.” Kaiser is also quoted as saying: “mentally you are not you.”
After these incidents, Vallette experienced worsening mental health symptoms leading to emergency psychiatric hospitalization on November 24, 2025. He remained hospitalized until December 3 due to what he describes as a crisis directly caused by workplace discrimination. Upon discharge from the hospital, Vallette attempted multiple times over eight days to contact McCoy about returning to work; when McCoy finally responded on December 11, more age-related comments were allegedly made.
Despite assurances from McCoy that he would never be fired—“I promise I’m never going to fire you… I’m not going to fire you ever”—Vallette was terminated on December 22, just before Christmas. The complaint states this occurred only eleven days after those assurances were given and nineteen days after leaving psychiatric care.
Following his termination, Vallette lost medical insurance coverage while facing stage four prostate cancer treatment needs. He reports having had no prior disciplinary record or documented performance deficiencies during his tenure at Coy Construction. The suit claims younger employees in similar roles remain employed.
The legal action asserts violations of several laws: the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), and Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act (PWDCRA). It alleges disparate treatment based on both age and disability status—including physical disabilities related to surgeries and cancer as well as mental health conditions resulting from alleged workplace conduct.
Vallette seeks judgment against Coy Construction for unpaid back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress and humiliation, punitive damages where applicable under law, attorney fees under all relevant statutes cited (ADEA, ELCRA, PWDCRA), pre-judgment and post-judgment interest costs incurred in prosecuting this action, as well as any other relief deemed just by the court.
The attorneys representing Mark Vallette are Noah S. Hurwitz (P74063) and Grant M. Vlahopoulos (P85633) of Hurwitz Law PLLC based in Ann Arbor. The case is identified as Case No. 2:26-cv-11218-JJCG-APP.
Source: 226cv11218_Mark_Vallette_v_Coy_Construction_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan.pdf
