Agency accuses Wal-Mart of age discrimination

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Wal-Mart is accused of violating federal law in the alleged firing of a 67-year-old employee from a store in Missouri.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in St. Louis alleged age discrimination in a lawsuit against the nation's largest retailer Monday in federal court.

The EEOC says Yvonne Loskot was fired from the retailer's De Soto store on Oct. 5, 2005 because she was too old and made too much money.

Regional EEOC attorney Barbara Seely said attempts to resolve the matter out of court were unsuccessful.

Loskot, who had worked for Wal-Mart for 10 years, earned $18 an hour as a certified optician. The suit seeks reinstatement, back pay and damages.

Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Inc. did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.