Case: United States v. Palm Beach County

9:07-cv-80713 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Filed Date: Aug. 9, 2007

Closed Date: 2007

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Case Summary

On August 9, 2007, the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against the Department of Parks and Recreation in Palm Beach County alleging that the defendant discriminated against an employee on the basis of his religion. Specifically, the DOJ contended that the Department of Parks and Recreation discriminated against a Christian park ranger by failing or refusing…

On August 9, 2007, the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 against the Department of Parks and Recreation in Palm Beach County alleging that the defendant discriminated against an employee on the basis of his religion. Specifically, the DOJ contended that the Department of Parks and Recreation discriminated against a Christian park ranger by failing or refusing to accommodate his religious practice of attending church and refraining from work on Sundays, and for subsequently discharging him for this religious practice. The EEOC investigated the charge and found reasonable cause to believe that allegations of religious discrimination were true, attempted unsuccessfully through negotiation to achieve a voluntary resolution, and subsequently referred the charge to the DOJ. The U.S. sought remedial and injunctive relief.

On August 27, 2007, the DOJ and the defendant entered into a consent decree approved by the district court (Judge Kenneth A. Marra). The defendant was enjoined from discriminating against any employee because of that individual's good faith religious observances or practices. The defendant further agreed not to retaliate against the plaintiff or any other employees because they opposed the allegedly discriminatory practices, filed a charge with the EEOC, or cooperated or participated in this case or decree. The defendant was also ordered to reasonably accommodate the religious practices and observances of its employees and to provide training regarding Title VII's prohibition of discriminatory practices to supervisory personnel. With regards to the employee who filed the EEOC complaint, the defendant was ordered to offer the employee reinstatement with remedial seniority and back pay and to accommodate the employee's request for a work schedule that allows him to refrain from work on Sundays. The defendant was also obligated to expunge all negative references for this employee pertaining to his refusal to work on Sundays from their files. In order to accept the remedial relief offered, the employee was required to sign an executed release. Finally, the defendant agreed to furnish records and documents pertaining to their compliance with the decree to the DOJ on request.

Summary Authors

Dana Schwarz (12/20/2007)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)

Fenton, William B. (District of Columbia)

Harrell-James, Veronica Vanessa (Florida)

Attorney for Defendant

Chasseur, Ernest (Florida)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Kim, Wan J. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

9:07-cv-80713

Docket (PACER)

United States v. Palm Beach County, Florida

Aug. 28, 2007

Aug. 28, 2007

Docket
1

9:07-cv-80713

Complaint

US v. Palm Beach County, Florida

Aug. 9, 2007

Aug. 9, 2007

Complaint
5

9:07-cv-80713

Consent Decree

US v. Palm Beach County, Florida

Aug. 27, 2007

Aug. 27, 2007

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated Jan. 26, 2024, 3:01 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Palm Beach County, Florida , filed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.(vt) (Entered: 08/09/2007)

Aug. 9, 2007

Aug. 9, 2007

2

Summons Issued as to Palm Beach County, Florida(Assistant County Attorney), Palm Beach County Administrator, Board of County Commissioner (vt) (Entered: 08/09/2007)

Aug. 9, 2007

Aug. 9, 2007

3

Civil ACTION CERTIFICATION by United States Attorney (vt) (Entered: 08/09/2007)

Aug. 9, 2007

Aug. 9, 2007

4

Order Requiring Joint Scheduling Report,Signed by Judge Kenneth A. Marra on 8/13/07.(lk) (Entered: 08/16/2007)

Aug. 16, 2007

Aug. 16, 2007

5

CONSENT DECREE; Signed by Judge Kenneth A. Marra on 08/27/2007.(bs) (Entered: 08/27/2007)

Aug. 27, 2007

Aug. 27, 2007

6

ORDER closing case; re 5 Consent Decree; all pending motions are denied as moot; case is closed;Signed by Judge Kenneth A. Marra on 08/27/2007.(bs) (Entered: 08/28/2007)

Aug. 28, 2007

Aug. 28, 2007

Case Details

State / Territory: Florida

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 9, 2007

Closing Date: 2007

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of individual Parks and Recreation employee

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

Palm Beach County (Palm Beach), County

Defendant Type(s):

Parks

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Mixed

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Order Duration: 2007 - None

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Accommodation / Leave

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discrimination-basis:

Religion discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Male