Ex Metro NY publisher sues over pay, slogan

While Metro International attempts to sell its U.S. free dailies, it has been hit with a $117.5 million lawsuit by its former New York publisher who claims the chain is using his slogan without authorization and that it owes him back wages of $218,000.

Daniel Magnus, who was one of 27 people fired by the international free daily publisher last month, claims the slogan "All of the World in less of the time" belongs to him and that he didn't authorize Metro to use it. He says that Metro brass wanted him to backdate an affidavit saying he supposedly authorized the chain to use the slogan in 2007, but he refused, according to today's New York Post.

The suit also seeks back wages of $218,000 plus a 25 percent penalty charge. He claims the company cooked up the claim that he was let go "for cause." Magnus also says he should have been given a $150,000 bonus for his 2006 work instead of the $25,000 he received. The suit said Magnus was paid a base salary of $300,000 a year. Metro isn't commenting on the suit.