Former Zamboni Driver Alleges Red Wings Cover-Up in Shocking Lawsuit Over Urination Incident

In a surprising and disheartening twist, Sobotka, the veteran Zamboni driver for the Detroit Red Wings, finds himself entangled in a legal battle after being fired for an incident involving a drain. The 70-year-old has filed a lawsuit alleging age and disability discrimination, pointing fingers at higher-ups in the Red Wings' parent company, Olympia Entertainment, for orchestrating a cover-up scheme.

The controversy began weeks before the incident when vice president Tim Padgett made a remark during a Zoom meeting, telling Sobotka, "You're getting old." Despite Olympia's denial of Padgett's involvement in the termination, the vice president revealed in his deposition that he advised president Keith Bradford, who ultimately decided to let Sobotka go.

Adding to the confusion, Bradford, who had never met Sobotka, claimed ignorance about the Zamboni driver's tenure and failed to discuss the urinating incident with him or the witness, as indicated in a court filing on Nov. 15.

The senior vice president of human resources also dismissed Sobotka's prostate issue, stating it "was not taken into consideration at any time" and labeling it an "excuse."

In a last-ditch effort, Sobotka penned a heartfelt message to Red Wings' president and CEO, Christopher Illitch, expressing his disbelief at being terminated after 50 seasons of hard work. Unfortunately, Illitch did not respond, leaving Sobotka feeling crushed.

Sobotka, caught in a compromising situation on Feb. 2, 2022, when a fellow employee observed him urinating in a drain between two Zambonis, attributes his actions to benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that complicates urinary regulation.

The 70-year-old, who dedicated 51 years to the Red Wings since he was 17, was a familiar face at Little Caesars Arena, where he became known for his tradition of spinning octopi over his head after fans threw them on the ice.

"They all know I was done wrong," Sobotka stated in a recent interview, revealing the emotional toll the situation has taken. "It's in my head, 24/7, ya know? I have nightmares."

As the legal proceedings unfold, the Detroit Red Wings community is left grappling with the aftermath of an unjust termination and alleged corporate cover-up, highlighting broader issues of fairness and transparency within the organization.

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