William Schaub Files Lawsuit Against Museum And Its Founder For Wrongful Termination

William Schaub, former director of the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinville (OR) has filed a lawsuit against the Museum and its founder, Del Smith, claiming that he was wrongfully terminated in November of 2002. The suit claims $1.7 million in damages, according to the Seattle Times.

Schaub was allegedly fired after disagreements with its founder and chief patron over financial issues and the museum's status as a non-profit entity. The issue became public when The Oregonian obtained a copy of a letter Schaub sent to his former boss.

The lawsuit alleges that $600,000 were "withdrawn" by Evergreen International Aviation to pay for expenses that Schaub contents were not the responsibility of the museum. The suit also claims Schaub sent an internal memo in September of 2001 in which he stated that "earnings of the museum were being used for the benefit of Evergreen International Aviation, and Smith personally."

Del Smith is also the founder of Evergreen International Aviation, one of the largest air freight carriers in the United States. Smith founded the museum in 2000, and in 2004 was the Oregon Republican Party's largest donor. The museum is known worldwide as the home of Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose.

FMI: www.evergreenaviation.com, www.sprucegoose.org