Ex-assistant to Saints owner claims wrongful firing

NEW ORLEANS (AP) A longtime assistant to Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson claims he was fired last year in violation of a legal contract.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday against the Saints corporation, Rodney Henry claims that he worked long hours for Benson for approximately 25 years - driving Benson to and from work and doing numerous personal errands for Benson and his wife.

Henry says he made $50,000 a year and was not paid overtime that he was entitled to under federal law. Henry also claims he was fired by a Saints employee despite an agreement that only Benson could terminate Henry's employment. The suit says the breach of that agreement means Henry is entitled to two years' salary.

The Saints declined comment in an email.