Only in Marin County, California. Bruce Kuhlman, 59, a former personal assistant and later, merchandising manager for rock star guitarist Carlos Santana, is suing Santana and his wife Deborah, alleging wrongful termination based on religious, age and gender discrimination.

The 17-year Santana empire employee had been praised and highly valued for his work, according to his suit. But it seems a guru-type known only as "Dr. Dan" was brought in by Deborah, and "calibrated" Kuhlman's consciousness as too low, and he was eased out. Part of a larger pattern of replacing male employees with females, Kuhlman alleges. More from the Marin County Journal:

According to the lawsuit, Kuhlman was hired as an independent contractor by Carlos Santana in January 1988 to take care of everyday needs for the Santana family. Over time he became more involved in business management, although no formal promotions were made.

By 1998, the Santanas had ended a merchandising agreement with Sony Signatures for licensing and merchandising in favor of starting an in-house division to sell band-related products. Kuhlman claims in the lawsuit that in 2001 he took on the duty of operating the division and was given the responsibility of developing the business, River of Colors. He said he was promised a salary, bonuses and commission on licensing revenue.

Kuhlman said in mid-2002, he received a $13,000 performance bonus and was told by the company's chief financial officer, Ted Jorstad, that he would receive a $25,000 bonus for 2003 if he met budget.

By that time, Kuhlman said Deborah Santana had stopped commending him for his work and overlooked him when she was handing out gifts and awards at a company retreat. Kuhlman claims that Deborah Santana preferred to work with women and constantly "put down" men.

In fall 2003, Deborah Santana told Kuhlman she wanted him to see "Dr. Dan," who came into the office once a month to "calibrate employees' consciousness," Kuhlman claims in the lawsuit. The lawsuit did not further identify Dr. Dan or explain who he was.

At his first meeting with Dr. Dan, Kuhlman was given a chart that explained "the person's emotional view of God É God-View, Life-View, Level, Awareness, Emotion, Process," the suit reads. Dr. Dan also gave Kuhlman literature on neuro-emotional technique and neuro-calibration technique, along with a book called "The Realization of the Presence of God."

Dr. Dan calibrated Kuhlman's "enlightenment/conscious level" as low, but explained that that is typical later in life. Dr. Dan said his treatments could raise his level and make him a better employee. Deborah Santana told Kuhlman she was unhappy with how he was doing the licensing and felt there was something in his subconscious mind that was keeping River of Colors from being successful, according to the lawsuit.

At about the same time, Deborah Santana hired three women in their mid-30s and had them calibrated over the telephone by Dr. Dan without their knowledge, Kuhlman claims. The women were found to have high conscious levels. When Kuhlman told Deborah Santana he was not satisfied with the performance of a new employee who was hired to be his assistant, he was sent to Dr. Dan again to learn to become a better communicator.

In a meeting later, Kuhlman said Carlos Santana said he was unhappy with the progress of the licensing program and said: "Maybe we need to find someone younger to run River of Colors."

....On April 28, 2004, Kuhlman was given a letter from Carlos Santana, saying he was unhappy with his management and that his employment was terminated. Kuhlman said he believes Deborah Santana wanted him replaced because he was a man. In the lawsuit, he claims his assistant became his replacement after he left the company.

Kuhlman claims that by 2004, the only men that were managed by Deborah Santana were himself and Carlos' brother, Jorge Santana. Information on Jorge Santana's employment was not detailed in the lawsuit.

"Both were fired in 2004. Plaintiff was replaced by a much younger woman," the lawsuit complains.

Kuhlman said he believes River of Colors earned a profit of $700,000 to $1 million in 2004 because of his efforts. He said he did not receive a bonus.

The case is proceeding toward trial although, as always, a pre-trial settlement is possible. We'll have to see what the judge and the defendant's attorneys think about the quality of Kuhlman's case. While generally I'm quite skeptical of bias claims and allegations of victimization, this "Dr. Dan" shtik doesn't smell so great.

True, Devadip Carlos has always had a spiritual side, evidenced most clearly in his 1973 collaboration with John McLaughlin - the awesome jazz-rock guitarist - and titled "Love, Devotion, Surrender."

There they are on the cover, dressed in white suits, Carlos with hands humbly behind his back, gazing at a lotus blossom on the ground, or something. On the back, both guitarists are in a reverent pose, Carlos with hands cupped and thumbs carefully crossed, a loopy (or would that be, blissed?) and red-clad Sri Chinmoy extending his arms and blessings to both. Excellent album, by the way, with song titles such as "A Love Supreme," "The Life Divine," "Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord," and "Meditation." I saw Carlos a year later (1974) at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. Barely said a word, just played like hellfire.

The Beatles, of course, paved the way in the rock guru department, with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who later founded Maharishi University in Fairfield, Iowa. He taught them about "yogic flying," the essence of which they incorporated into some of their subsequent music, along with LSD.

So, like mind-altering drugs, spiritual inspiration may or may not be a great artistic muse. But both seem a poor means of arriving at business decisions.

TO COMMENT: The regular comment feature is not in operation now. However, you can e-mail me your comments on this post, at the address accessed under "Contact," at the top of my "Main" page. I'll add them, here.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at August 18, 2005 10:12 AM