In a dramatic legal confrontation, a former employee has taken his battle to the courtroom, alleging severe violations of employment laws by his previous employer. Frank R. Curkov filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 1, 2025, against Border States Industries, Inc., and Aaron Hughes. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of failing to pay earned wages and engaging in retaliatory practices that led to Curkov's wrongful termination.
Curkov's lawsuit is rooted in claims that Border States Industries, Inc., and its Area Director Aaron Hughes violated multiple employment laws, including the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (IWPCA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Curkov alleges that he was not fully compensated for commissions he earned while working on significant projects such as a large datacenter project for Facebook. According to Curkov, "BSI deducted over $800,000 in alleged labor costs from gross profit," which unjustly reduced his commission payments. Furthermore, Curkov asserts that these deductions were unprecedented and not applied to other salespersons under similar circumstances.
The complaint details how Curkov's employment with Border States Industries began in August 1999 and was marked by exemplary performance until his termination in November 2023. Despite his success as a top salesperson, Curkov claims he faced age discrimination when younger employees were favored over him. He cites an incident where BSI hired Cristina Camposano for a project manager position despite her history of behavioral issues at her previous job—a fact known to BSI management but ignored when it came to her complaints about Curkov.
Curkov also alleges gender discrimination and retaliation for reporting discriminatory practices within the company. He recounts how he consistently raised concerns about unfair treatment based on age and gender with BSI management but received no redress. Instead, he faced hyper scrutiny and false criticism leading up to his dismissal—a move he believes was retaliatory due to his protected activities under employment law.
In response to these grievances, Curkov seeks comprehensive relief from the court. He demands back pay with interest for lost wages and benefits, liquidated damages under ADEA provisions, compensatory damages for emotional distress caused by discriminatory practices, punitive damages against both defendants for their willful misconduct, reinstatement or front pay if reinstatement is not feasible, coverage of legal costs incurred during this litigation process including attorney fees as well as any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Frank R. Curkov is Timothy J. Coffey from The Coffey Law Office P.C., located at 118 N Clinton Street Suite 125 Chicago IL 60661 who can be reached at (312)627-9700 or via email tcoffey@worker-law.com; presiding over this case identified as Case No: 125cv2182.