The EEOC's Norfolk office sued Greenbrier Pontiac - Oldsmobile - GMC Trucks - KIA, Inc., a Virginia auto dealership, on September 30, 2003 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The EEOC alleged that Greenbrier violated Title VII when it discriminated against one of its employees based on race (African American), created a hostile work environment for that employee when other employees made racist comments and hung a noose around a radio in the servicing shop, which culminated in the constructive discharge of the employee. The district court's opinion, at 314 F.Supp.2d 189 (E.D.Va. 2004), explained that the claim was ultimately frivolous and the EEOC dropped the claim. Following the case dismissal, the defendant sought attorney's fees from the EEOC, a pursuit that ended in settlement of that issue in the appellate court.

Aaron Weismann - 05/30/2007


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