Case: Beckford v. Florida Department of Corrections

2:06-cv-14324 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Filed Date: Nov. 13, 2006

Closed Date: May 7, 2010

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

Beckford and 13 other female former employees worked at Martin Correctional Institution (located in Indiantown, Florida) between 1999 and 2002. Most of the women worked as nurses, one worked as a physician, and another worked as a classification officer. Each of the female employees worked in the "close management" housing dorms at Martin. The nurses entered the close management dorms each day to pass medication toinmates, answer sick calls, and respond to medical emergencies. The other for…

Beckford and 13 other female former employees worked at Martin Correctional Institution (located in Indiantown, Florida) between 1999 and 2002. Most of the women worked as nurses, one worked as a physician, and another worked as a classification officer. Each of the female employees worked in the "close management" housing dorms at Martin. The nurses entered the close management dorms each day to pass medication to

inmates, answer sick calls, and respond to medical emergencies. The other former employees entered the close management dorms at least several times each week to perform similar duties or to discuss administrative matters with inmates. While the women were employed at Martin, the close management inmates abused staff, especially female staff. When the inmates saw female employees approaching one of the close management dorms, the inmates called the employees names through the exterior cell windows and explained, in graphic detail, the sexual liberties that the inmates would take with the employees, if given the opportunity. The inmates often exposed themselves and masturbated directly at staff. The female employees complained to prison management, including the warden, about the conduct of the inmates, and they filed numerous disciplinary reports regarding inmate harassment. The female employees alleged that management ordinarily ignored these complaints. Martin maintained a sexual harassment policy, but the female employees understood the policy to cover only harassment by other employees and outside vendors who transacted with the Department, not inmates.

In 2001, the former employees and others sued the Department in a Florida court. The female employees alleged that the Department violated state law by creating a hostile work environment and successfully sought class certification. In March 2006, the employees amended their complaint to add a federal claim under Title VII. The Department then removed the case to the Northern District of Florida, which later decertified the class and transferred the claims to the Southern District of Florida.

The plaintiffs' complaint against the Florida Department of Corrections was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Fort Pierce Division, on November 13, 2006. The complaint - filed under the Florida Human Rights Act of 1977, the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - sought injunctive, declaratory and equitable relief and damages, alleging that the Department maintained a policy and pattern and practice of gender-based discriminatory treatment. The discovery process was vigorously contested by both parties, as Defendant repeatedly filed Motions for Extension of Time and Motions for Protective Orders while Plaintiff filed, and was granted, a Motion to Compel. On May 8, 2008, the Court issued an Order granting in part and denying in part a Motion for Summary Judgment filed by the Defendant. The only part of the Motion which was granted asserted that the Plaintiffs lacked standing to seek injunctive relief.

The case was tried before a jury and, on May 13, 2008, the jury returned a verdict entering judgment in favor of the Plaintiffs. The Court - Judge Jose E. Martinez - entered judgment against the Defendants on May 15, awarding each Plaintiff damages in the amount of $45,000. On May 30, Defendant filed a Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law or in the Alternative New Trial; this Motion was denied by the Court on February 23, 2009. The Defendant then appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, which ultimately affirmed and upheld the judgment of the District Court on May 7, 2010.

Summary Authors

Robert Routh (7/26/2010)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5550899/parties/beckford-v-department-of-corrections/


Judge(s)

Fay, Peter Thorp (Florida)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Davis, John Clark (Florida)

Attorney for Defendant

Burgreen, Maura McNay (Florida)

Faragasso, Laura Beth (Florida)

Hudson, Edwin Robert (Florida)

Judge(s)

Fay, Peter Thorp (Florida)

Lynch, Frank J. Jr. (Florida)

Martinez, Jose E. (Florida)

Pryor, William Holcombe Jr. (Alabama)

Quist, Gordon Jay (Michigan)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:06-cv-14324

Docket

Nov. 5, 2009

Nov. 5, 2009

Docket
14

5:06-cv-00056

Second Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial

Rudolph v. Florida Department of Corrections

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

March 28, 2006

March 28, 2006

Complaint
238

2:06-cv-14324

Defendant's Motion for Protective Order

Aug. 31, 2007

Aug. 31, 2007

Pleading / Motion / Brief
240

2:06-cv-14324

Plaintiffs' Opposition to Defendant's Motion for Protective Order

Sept. 19, 2007

Sept. 19, 2007

Pleading / Motion / Brief
242

2:06-cv-14324

Order denying Defendant's Motion for Protective Order

Oct. 5, 2007

Oct. 5, 2007

Order/Opinion
252

2:06-cv-14324

Order granting Plaintiff's Motion to Compel

Dec. 10, 2007

Dec. 10, 2007

Order/Opinion
356

2:06-cv-14324

Order granting in part and denying in part Defendant's Motions for Summary Judgment

May 8, 2008

May 8, 2008

Order/Opinion
380

2:06-cv-14324

Final Judgment

May 15, 2008

May 15, 2008

Order/Opinion
428

2:06-cv-14324

Order denying Defendant's Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law or in the Alternative New Trial

Feb. 23, 2009

Feb. 23, 2009

Order/Opinion
432

2:06-cv-14324

Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion for Attorney's Fees, Expert Fees, and Litigation Expenses

Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/5550899/beckford-v-department-of-corrections/

Last updated March 15, 2024, 3:04 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
427

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 418 Plaintiff's MOTION for Attorney Fees Resubmitted filed by Charlene Fontneau, Melanie Beckford, Lee Wascher, Donna Pixley, Paula LaCroix, Linda Jones, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Michelle Pollock, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Janet Smith, Vesna Poirier, Lourdes Silvagnoli Objections to R&R due by 2/23/2009. Signed by Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr on 2/3/09. (cga)

Feb. 3, 2009

Feb. 3, 2009

RECAP
427

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 418 Plaintiff's MOTION for Attorney Fees Resubmitted filed by Charlene Fontneau, Melanie Beckford, Lee Wascher, Donna Pixley, Paula LaCroix, Linda Jones, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Michelle Pollock, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Janet Smith, Vesna Poirier, Lourdes Silvagnoli Objections to R&R due by 2/23/2009. Signed by Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr on 2/3/09. (cga)

Feb. 3, 2009

Feb. 3, 2009

RECAP
432

ORDER adopting 427 Magistrate's Report and Recommendations; granting in part 418 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 9/3/2009. (tas) (Entered: 09/08/2009)

Sept. 4, 2009

Sept. 4, 2009

RECAP
433

CERTIFICATE of Readiness transmitted to USCA re 430 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections; USCA# 09-11540-G (nc) (Entered: 09/10/2009)

Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

PACER
434

Certified and Transmitted Record on Appeal to US Court of Appeals (Atlanta Office) Consisting of (3)Volumes of Pleadings,(9)Volumes of Transcripts and (1)Accordion Folders containing DE#'s 214,271,275,284,299,309,317,331,333,389-395,401,411,419,423 re 430 Notice of Appeal, (nc) (Entered: 09/10/2009)

Sept. 8, 2009

Sept. 8, 2009

PACER
435

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT FROM USCA re 430 Notice of Appeal, receipt of: COR/ROA USCA number 09-11540-G (nc) (Entered: 09/22/2009)

Sept. 21, 2009

Sept. 21, 2009

PACER
436

NOTICE OF APPEAL by Department of Corrections. Within ten days of the filing date of a Notice of Appeal, the appellant must complete the Eleventh Circuit Transcript Order Form regardless of whether transcripts are being ordered [Pursuant to FRAP 10(b)]. For information go to our FLSD website under Transcript Information. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B)(Leininger, Carri) (Entered: 09/22/2009)

Sept. 22, 2009

Sept. 22, 2009

PACER

Transmission of Notice of Appeal, Docket Sheet and Order under appeal sent to US Court of Appeals re 436 Notice of Appeal, as to Florida Department of Corrections, State of Florida (nc)

Sept. 23, 2009

Sept. 23, 2009

PACER
437

DUPLICATE NOTICE OF APPEAL by Department of Corrections and State of Florida re 432 Order on Motion for Attorney Fees, Order Adopting Report and Recommendations; Filing fee $ 455.00, receipt number 726367. Within ten days of the filing date of a Notice of Appeal, the appellant must complete the Eleventh Circuit Transcript Order Form regardless of whether transcripts are being ordered [Pursuant to FRAP 10(b)]. For information go to our FLSD website under Transcript Information. (nc) (Entered: 09/28/2009)

Sept. 25, 2009

Sept. 25, 2009

PACER
438

NOTICE of Receipt of NOA Transmittal Letter from USCA on 9/28/09, Re: USCA Case Number:09-14903-G for 437 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections, State of Florida. (nc) (Entered: 10/02/2009)

Oct. 2, 2009

Oct. 2, 2009

PACER
439

Order from the 11th Circuit pursuant to Appellees' motion to file record excerpts is DENIED. The District Court Clerk's Office is directed to promptly transmit to this court the supplemental record on appeal consisting of the exhibits returned by the parties re 437 Notice of Appeal, 436 Notice of Appeal, : USCA Appeal# 09-11540-GG (nc) (Entered: 10/02/2009)

Oct. 2, 2009

Oct. 2, 2009

PACER
440

TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION FORM by Department of Corrections re 436 Notice of Appeal,. No Transcript Requested. (Leininger, Carri) (Entered: 10/05/2009)

Oct. 5, 2009

Oct. 5, 2009

PACER
441

NOTICE by Lourdes Silvagnoli, Janet Smith, Michelle Pollock, Vesna Poirier, Susan Black, Donna Pixley, Paula LaCroix, Melanie Beckford, Charlene Fontneau, Tita De La Cruz, Lee Wascher, Linda Jones, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh of Filing Exhibits for Inclusion in the Record on Appeal and Request for Transmittal of Same to Court of Appeals (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Attachment 1, # 2 Exhibit Attachment 2 part 1, # 3 Exhibit Attachment 2 part 2, # 4 Exhibit Attachment 3, # 5 Exhibit Attachment 4 part 1, # 6 Exhibit Attachment 4 part 2, # 7 Exhibit Attachment 5 part 1, # 8 Exhibit Attachment 5 part 2)(Davis, John) (Entered: 10/06/2009)

Oct. 6, 2009

Oct. 6, 2009

PACER
442

NOTICE of Filing Exhibits by Department of Corrections, State of Florida, pursuant to Appellate Court's Order (Exhibits attached) (nc) (Entered: 10/14/2009)

Oct. 13, 2009

Oct. 13, 2009

PACER
443

AMENDED NOTICE of Filing Exhibits pursuant to Appellate Court's Order by Department of Corrections, State of Florida (Exhibits attached) (nc) (Entered: 10/20/2009)

Oct. 16, 2009

Oct. 16, 2009

PACER
444

1st Supplemental transmitted to USCA re: 430 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections, 437 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections, State of Florida, 436 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections USCA# 09-11540-G & 09-14903-GG (jua) (Entered: 10/22/2009)

Oct. 21, 2009

Oct. 21, 2009

PACER
445

1st Supplemental Transmitted Record on Appeal to US Court of Appeals (Atlanta Office) Consisting of (1) Volume of Pleadings and (1) Envelope containing DE#'s 442 & 443 of Department of Corrections Exhibits re 430 Notice of Appeal, 437 Notice of Appeal, 436 Notice of Appeal, USCA# 09-11540-G & 09-14903-GG (jua) (Entered: 10/22/2009)

Oct. 21, 2009

Oct. 21, 2009

PACER
446

Appellant's Unopposed Motion to Consolidate 09-14903-GG & 09-11540-GG is GRANTED re 430 Notice of Appeal, 437 Notice of Appeal, 436 Notice of Appeal, : USCA Appeal# 09-14903-GG (nc) (Entered: 11/05/2009)

Nov. 5, 2009

Nov. 5, 2009

PACER
448

MANDATE of USCA (certified copy) AFFIRM Judgment/ Order of the district court with courts opinion re 430 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections, 437 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections, State of Florida, 436 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections ; Date Issued: 9/21/2011 ; USCA Case Number: 09-14903-GG & 09-11540-GG. Bill of Costs is hereby txed in the amount of $130.20 against Appellant and are payable directly to Appellee. (amb) (Entered: 09/29/2011)

Sept. 26, 2011

Sept. 26, 2011

PACER
447

Appeal Record Returned: Consisting of (4) Volumes of Pleadings, (9) Volumes of Transcripts, (10) Accordion folders and (1) Envelope containing Exhibits re 430 Notice of Appeal. USCA #09-11540-GG (amb) (Entered: 09/28/2011)

Sept. 27, 2011

Sept. 27, 2011

PACER
449

ORDER of USCA GRANTING Appellees' "Application for Attorney's Fees and Expenses on Appeal" as to entitlement and REMANDED to the District court with instructions to determine the reasonable attorney;s fees to be awarded re 430 Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Corrections; 436 Notice of Appeal; 437 Notice of Appeal. USCA #09-11540-GG & 09-14903-GG (amb) (Entered: 12/06/2011)

Dec. 5, 2011

Dec. 5, 2011

PACER
450

MOTION Determination of Fee per Appeal's Court Order re 449 USCA Order, by Melanie Beckford, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Charlene Fontneau, Linda Jones, Paula LaCroix, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Donna Pixley, Vesna Poirier, Michelle Pollock, Lourdes Silvagnoli, Janet Smith, Lee Wascher. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Davis, John) (Entered: 12/21/2011)

Dec. 21, 2011

Dec. 21, 2011

PACER
451

WITHDRAWAL of Motion re 450 MOTION Determination of Fee per Appeal's Court Order re 449 USCA Order, filed by Charlene Fontneau, Melanie Beckford, Lee Wascher, Donna Pixley, Paula LaCroix, Linda Jones, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Michelle Pollock, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Janet Smith, Vesna Poirier, Lourdes Silvagnoli (Davis, John) (Entered: 12/21/2011)

Dec. 21, 2011

Dec. 21, 2011

PACER
452

Corrected MOTION Determine of Fees on Appeal per Order of Appeals' Court re 449 USCA Order, by Melanie Beckford, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Charlene Fontneau, Linda Jones, Paula LaCroix, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Donna Pixley, Vesna Poirier, Michelle Pollock, Lourdes Silvagnoli, Janet Smith, Lee Wascher. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D)(Davis, John) (Entered: 12/21/2011)

Dec. 21, 2011

Dec. 21, 2011

PACER
453

ORDER REFERRING MOTION: 452 Corrected MOTION Determine of Fees on Appeal per Order of Appeals' Court re 449 USCA Order, filed by Charlene Fontneau, Melanie Beckford, Lee Wascher, Donna Pixley, Paula LaCroix, Linda Jones, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Michelle Pollock, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Janet Smith, Vesna Poirier, Lourdes Silvagnoli Motions referred to Frank J. Lynch, Jr. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 3/6/12. (tp) (Entered: 03/06/2012)

March 6, 2012

March 6, 2012

PACER
454

NOTICE of Settlement of Appellate Attorneys' Fees by Department of Corrections (Williams, James) (Entered: 03/07/2012)

March 7, 2012

March 7, 2012

PACER
455

Clerks Notice to Filer re 454 Notice of Settlement. Document not filed in Text Searchable Format; ERROR - The document was not filed in Text Searchable Format. All future filings must be submitted in Text Searchable format as instructed in the CM/ECF Administrative Procedure 3G(5) -Page 10-. It is not necessary to refile this document. (tp) (Entered: 03/08/2012)

March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

PACER
456

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS re 452 Corrected MOTION Determine of Fees on Appeal per Order of Appeals' Court re 449 USCA Order, filed by Charlene Fontneau, Melanie Beckford, Lee Wascher, Donna Pixley, Paula LaCroix, Linda Jones, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Michelle Pollock, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Janet Smith, Vesna Poirier, Lourdes Silvagnoli Recommending denying motion. Objections to R&R due by 3/26/2012. Signed by Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr on 3/8/12. (tp) (Entered: 03/09/2012)

March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012

PACER
457

ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ; denying as moot 452 Motion to Determine Amount of Fees on Remand from Court of Appeals; adopting Report and Recommendations re 456 Report and Recommendations. Certificate of Appealability: No Ruling. Signed by Judge Jose E. Martinez on 3/29/2012. (ls) (Entered: 03/29/2012)

March 29, 2012

March 29, 2012

PACER
458

SATISFACTION OF JUDGMENT re 380 Judgment Notice of Filing by Melanie Beckford, Susan Black, Tita De La Cruz, Charlene Fontneau, Linda Jones, Paula LaCroix, Joyce Meyer, Sushma Parekh, Donna Pixley, Vesna Poirier, Michelle Pollock, Lourdes Silvagnoli, Janet Smith, Lee Wascher (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Beckford Satisfaction, # 2 Affidavit Black Satisfaction, # 3 Affidavit De La Cruz Satisfaction, # 4 Affidavit Fontneau Satisfaction, # 5 Affidavit Jones Satisfaction, # 6 Affidavit LaCroix Satisfaction, # 7 Affidavit Meyer Satisfaction, # 8 Affidavit Parekh Satisfaction, # 9 Affidavit Pixley Satisfaction, # 10 Affidavit Poirier Satisfaction, # 11 Affidavit Pollock Satisfaction, # 12 Affidavit Silvagnoli Satisfaction, # 13 Affidavit Smith Satisfaction, # 14 Affidavit Wascher Satisfaction)(Davis, John) (Entered: 04/16/2012)

April 16, 2012

April 16, 2012

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Florida

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Private Employment Class Actions

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 13, 2006

Closing Date: May 7, 2010

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Female current and former health care professional employees, classification officers and other non-security employees of the Florida Department of Corrections.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Florida Department of Corrections (Tallahassee, Leon), State

State of Florida, State

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

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

State Anti-Discrimination Law

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Non-settlement Outcome

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Amount Defendant Pays: $45,000 to each plaintiff

Issues

General:

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Other Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc)

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female