Suit: Papa John's illegally fired Utah employee with Down syndrome who got help from job coach

A federal agency is accusing Papa John's Pizza of breaking the law when they fired a Utah employee with Down syndrome.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Monday that it had filed suit against the company and is seeking back pay and damages for former employee Scott Bonn.

Representatives for Papa John's did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Federal officials say Bonn had been working successfully at the restaurant in Farmington, Utah, with the help of an independently employed job coach. But when an operating partner visited the store and saw Bonn working with the coach, the partner allegedly order Papa John's to fire Bonn.

The EEOC says the restaurant violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which allows accommodations such as a job coach when needed.