$175-an-hour Santa sues to keep job

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By Jeff Canning, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Yes, Virginia, there was a Santa Claus. He was making $175 an hour greeting children at Tysons Corner Center before he was suddenly fired.

He did what any self-respecting 21st-century Santa would do: He lawyered up and hired a public relations firm to mount a campaign to get his job back.

In an attempt to keep his lucrative 18-year gig, veteran elf Michael Graham hired an attorney, Pamela Deese of Arent Fox in the District, and a public relations firm, Brotman Winter Fried Communications of Falls Church.

Tysons Corner has a new contract with World Wide Photography, which will supply a new Santa for the shopping center.

The Cypress, Texas, company respects Mr. Graham for his Santa skills but did not think his asking price was fair.

"I have nothing but positive things to say about him," said Steve Hardin, senior partner with World Wide Photography. "He's a wonderful person and a wonderful Santa, but $175 an hour to play Santa?"

That sum is about 10 times the going rate, he said.

"I've seen probably 12 or 14 different photographers so it was never an issue that I would be leaving any time soon," Mr. Graham said. "In 2006, they approached me to extend my contract until 2012, so I thought I was set."

Mr. Graham, who in real life is a carpenter from Tennessee, thinks Tysons Corner shoppers have a lot to lose from this personnel change.

"After 18 years of visiting with them, people start to know who you are," said Mr. Graham. "You feel like a part of their family. People come as far away as California so the pictures look the same and there is consistency to show the children growing up."