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BUTTE, Mont. (AP) The Montana Human Rights Commission has ruled in favor of a longtime Butte-Silver Bow employee who alleges age discrimination.

Courthouse secretary Linda Raiha is a 25-year county employee.

She filed her complaint in 2005 after applying for a full-time clerk position in city court. She wasn't interviewed or considered for the post. A younger woman was hired and then fired six months later.

The Human Rights Commission ruled Butte-Silver Bow must pay Raiha $6,900 for earnings she would have received in the job she applied for, and $5,000 for emotional distress.

An attorney for Butte-Silver Bow, Tom Welsch, says he plans to appeal the ruling in Butte district court.

Information from: The Montana Standard, http://www.mtstandard.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-05-08 1157CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list