Case: United States v. City of Winter Springs

6:99-cv-00968 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filed Date: Aug. 4, 1999

Closed Date: Aug. 14, 2000

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Case Summary

On August 4th, 1999, the the United States Department of Justice ("D.O.J.") filed a lawsuit under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., against the City of Winter Springs, Florida in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The DOJ sought injunctive relief and compensatory damages, alleging that the defendant violated Title VII by discriminating against a former employee of the City of Winter Springs Fire Department on the basis of religion.The employee was a member…

On August 4th, 1999, the the United States Department of Justice ("D.O.J.") filed a lawsuit under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., against the City of Winter Springs, Florida in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The DOJ sought injunctive relief and compensatory damages, alleging that the defendant violated Title VII by discriminating against a former employee of the City of Winter Springs Fire Department on the basis of religion.

The employee was a member of Branhamism (a fundamentalist Christian religion), whose practices include not displaying or participating in the display of decorations commonly associated with Christmas, not watching television, wearing conservative dress in public, daily reading of the bible, and listening to religious audio tapes. The complaint alleges that the defendant was aware of these religious observances, and despite this knowledge, ordered the employee to prepare Christmas decorations for display at the fire station. Furthermore, the defendant formally disciplined the employee after he complied, but told his supervisors that he did not want to take further part in similar activities. The employee was eventually discharged from employment.

A settlement agreement was reached. It states that the charging party accepted a sum of thirty thousand dollars in compensation, that the defendant acknowledges that it shall not engage in any act or practice discriminates on the basis of religion, and that the defendant shall not retaliate against any person.

The case was closed on August 14th, 2000.

Summary Authors

Jennifer Hau (11/11/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Conway, Anne C. (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)

Hopkins, Ralph E (Florida)

Attorney for Defendant

Brown, James G. (Florida)

Green, Dorothy F. (Florida)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

6:99-cv-00968

Docket

Aug. 14, 2000

Aug. 14, 2000

Docket
1

6:99-cv-00968

Complaint

Aug. 4, 1999

Aug. 4, 1999

Complaint

6:99-cv-00968

Settlement Agreement

Aug. 14, 2000

Aug. 14, 2000

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated March 20, 2024, 3:12 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Florida

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 4, 1999

Closing Date: Aug. 14, 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States, on behalf of a member of a fundamentalist Christian religion

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

City of Winter Springs (Winter Springs), City

Defendant Type(s):

Fire

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Mixed

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Private Settlement Agreement

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discipline

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination