Case: EEOC v. Palmetto Restaurant Group

2:03-cv-02577 | U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

Filed Date: Aug. 7, 2003

Closed Date: 2007

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Charlotte Office of the EEOC filed this action in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The Defendants were Wendy's International, Inc. and other related restaurant entities. The controversy involved the alleged sexual harassment of ten female employees in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lawsuit was filed in August 2003 and was resolved by consent decree in June 2004. The defendant filed two motions to dismiss, neither of which were ever ruled on. The complainants, who intervened in the case, were awarded $29,250 each for a total of $292,500, plus an additional $195,000 for their private attorneys. In addition, the company was required to provide training, to post a Notice, and to adopt a complaint procedure. It also had to submit regular reports to the EEOC. The decree was to last for three years.

The decree was entered in 2002 and scheduled to last 2007. No further docket entries exist, so the case is closed.

Summary Authors

Kevin Wilemon (8/16/2007)

Clearinghouse (12/24/2018)

People


Judge(s)

Kosko, George C. (South Carolina)

Judge(s)

Kosko, George C. (South Carolina)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:03-cv-02577

Docket (PACER)

June 21, 2004

June 21, 2004

Docket
1

2:03-cv-02577

Complaint

Aug. 7, 2003

Aug. 7, 2003

Complaint
31

2:03-cv-02577

Intervenors' Complaint

Dec. 18, 2003

Dec. 18, 2003

Pleading / Motion / Brief
66

2:03-cv-02577

Consent Decree

June 21, 2004

June 21, 2004

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

Last updated March 5, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT; Service due by 12/5/03 for Carolina Rest Group, for Palmetto Rest Group (kmca) (Entered: 08/08/2003)

Aug. 7, 2003

Aug. 7, 2003

2

SUMMONS(ES) issued for defendant Palmetto Rest Group, defendant Carolina Rest Group (kmca) (Entered: 08/08/2003)

Aug. 7, 2003

Aug. 7, 2003

3

ANSWER to Local Rule 26 Interrogatories by plaintiff EEOC; jury demand (kmca) (Entered: 08/08/2003)

Aug. 7, 2003

Aug. 7, 2003

4

WAIVER OF SERVICE as to Carolina Rest Group Answer due on 10/21/03 for Carolina Rest Group (jtho) (Entered: 09/22/2003)

Sept. 22, 2003

Sept. 22, 2003

5

WAIVER OF SERVICE as to Palmetto Rest Group Answer due on 10/31/03 for Palmetto Rest Group (kmca) (Entered: 09/26/2003)

Sept. 26, 2003

Sept. 26, 2003

CASE reassigned from Judge Norton to Judge Patrick Michael Duffy (glev) (Entered: 10/17/2003)

Oct. 17, 2003

Oct. 17, 2003

6

ANSWER to Local Rule 26 Interrogatories by defendant Carolina Rest Group; jury demand (cmur) (Entered: 10/21/2003)

Oct. 20, 2003

Oct. 20, 2003

7

MOTION by defendant Carolina Rest Group to dismiss (cmur) (Entered: 10/21/2003)

Oct. 20, 2003

Oct. 20, 2003

8

MEMORANDUM by defendant Carolina Rest Group in support of [7-1] motion to dismiss (cmur) (Entered: 10/21/2003)

Oct. 20, 2003

Oct. 20, 2003

10

ANSWER to Complaint by defendant Palmetto Rest Group (Attorney Sue Erwin Harper, Jim O Stuckey II, Cherie Wilson Blackburn) (gpea) (Entered: 10/21/2003)

Oct. 20, 2003

Oct. 20, 2003

11

ANSWER to Local Rule 26 Interrogatories by defendant Palmetto Rest Group (gpea) (Entered: 10/21/2003)

Oct. 20, 2003

Oct. 20, 2003

9

NOTICE of Judge reassignment (jwol) (Entered: 10/21/2003)

Oct. 21, 2003

Oct. 21, 2003

12

CONFERENCE AND SCHEDULING ORDER setting 26(f) Conference no later than 11/10/03 ; 26(a) Initial Disclosures served by 11/24/03 ; 26(f) Report filed by 11/24/03 ; Joining of parties,amending of pleadings on 12/19/03 ; Plaintiff's ID of Experts set for 1/19/04 ; Defendant's ID of Experts set for 2/17/04 ; Records Custodian Affidavit filed by 2/17/04 ; Discovery cutoff 4/19/04 ; Motion In Limine filed by 7/12/04 ; Deadline for filing of all motions 5/3/04 ; 26(a)3 Pretrial Disclosures filed by 7/16/04 ; Pretrial Brief filed by 7/26/04 ; Jury Selection deadline set for 8/2/04 ; ADR Statement/Cert due by 6/1/04 Mediation deadline for 7/1/04 ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod 10/22/03 (cmur) (Entered: 10/22/2003)

Oct. 21, 2003

Oct. 21, 2003

13

MOTION by defendant Carolina Rest Group for Nicole E. Bourget to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100.00 Receipt # 200-17484 (cmur) (Entered: 10/30/2003)

Oct. 30, 2003

Oct. 30, 2003

14

AFFIDAVIT of Nicole E. Bourget by defendant Carolina Rest Group Re: [13-1] motion for Nicole E. Bourget to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100.00 Receipt # 200-17484 (cmur) (Entered: 10/30/2003)

Oct. 30, 2003

Oct. 30, 2003

15

MOTION by defendant Carolina Rest Group for Marylin E. Culp to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100.00 Receipt # 200-17485 (cmur) (Entered: 10/30/2003)

Oct. 30, 2003

Oct. 30, 2003

16

AFFIDAVIT of Marylin E. Culp by defendant Carolina Rest Group Re: [15-1] motion for Marylin E. Culp to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100.00 Receipt # 200-17485 (cmur) (Entered: 10/30/2003)

Oct. 30, 2003

Oct. 30, 2003

17

ORDER granting [13-1] motion for Nicole E. Bourget to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100.00 Receipt # 200-17484 ( signed by Judge David C. Norton ) (cmur) (Entered: 11/04/2003)

Nov. 4, 2003

Nov. 4, 2003

18

ORDER granting [15-1] motion for Marylin E. Culp to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100.00 Receipt # 200-17485 ( signed by Judge David C. Norton ) (cmur) (Entered: 11/04/2003)

Nov. 4, 2003

Nov. 4, 2003

19

RESPONSE in OPPOSITION by plaintiff EEOC to defendant CRG's [7-1] motion to dismiss (with attachment + exhibit A = affidavit of Edwin Turnage, B,C,D,E,F,G = copy of affidavit of Donna Crawford, H,I,J,K,L,M = copy of affidavit of Alex Boatman, N,O,P = affidavit of Charlotte Watts with exhibits 1-5, and exhibit S) (kmca) (Entered: 11/10/2003)

Nov. 7, 2003

Nov. 7, 2003

20

AFFIDAVIT of Edwin L. Turnage with attachment by plaintiff EEOC Re: [19-1] motion response (kmca) Modified on 11/10/2003 (Entered: 11/10/2003)

Nov. 7, 2003

Nov. 7, 2003

21

AFFIDAVIT of Charlotte Watts by plaintiff EEOC Re: [19-1] motion response (kmca) (Entered: 11/10/2003)

Nov. 7, 2003

Nov. 7, 2003

22

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to amend [1-1] complaint (kmca) (Entered: 11/10/2003)

Nov. 7, 2003

Nov. 7, 2003

23

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff EEOC in support of [22-1] motion to amend [1-1] complaint (kmca) (Entered: 11/10/2003)

Nov. 7, 2003

Nov. 7, 2003

24

NOTICE of Hearing before Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko set Motion Hearing to 11:00 11/19/03 for [22-1] motion to amend [1-1] complaint (obri) (Entered: 11/13/2003)

Nov. 13, 2003

Nov. 13, 2003

25

REPLY by defendant Carolina Rest Group to [19-1] motion response (cmur) (Entered: 11/17/2003)

Nov. 17, 2003

Nov. 17, 2003

26

MOTION HEARING [22-1] motion to amend [1-1] complaint held ORAL ORDER granting [22-1] motion to amend [1-1] complaint; Attorneys to confer on jurisdictional issues and report back to Court by 12/8/03 (before Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) Court Reporter: Gilbert O'Brien,ESR. (obri) Modified on 11/19/2003 (Entered: 11/19/2003)

Nov. 19, 2003

Nov. 19, 2003

27

MEMORANDUM with exhibits A-C by plaintiff EEOC in opposition to [25-1] reply (jtho) (Entered: 12/08/2003)

Dec. 8, 2003

Dec. 8, 2003

29

NOTICE of Hearing reset status conference for 9:30 12/23/03 before Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko (obri) (Entered: 12/18/2003)

Dec. 18, 2003

Dec. 18, 2003

30

CONSENT ORDER to intervene by individual plaintiffs ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod 12/19/03 (cmur) (Entered: 12/19/2003)

Dec. 18, 2003

Dec. 18, 2003

31

Intervenor's COMPLAINT against defendant Palmetto Rest Group, defendant Carolina Rest Group, defendant Metrolina Rest Group, defendant Florida Rest Group; jury demand (cmur) (Entered: 12/19/2003)

Dec. 18, 2003

Dec. 18, 2003

Clearinghouse
32

SUMMONS(ES) issued for defendant Metrolina Rest Group, defendant Florida Rest Group, defendant Wendy's Intl Inc (cmur) (Entered: 12/19/2003)

Dec. 18, 2003

Dec. 18, 2003

33

ANSWER to Local Rule 26 Interrogatories by intervenor-plaintiff Shakeenya Coley, intervenor-plaintiff Shaketia Ford, intervenor-plaintiff Angelia Gary, intervenor-plaintiff Vernata Green, intervenor-plaintiff Melody Grimmage, intervenor-plaintiff Marketia Kinzer, intervenor-plaintiff Beverly Lewis, intervenor-plaintiff Michell E Linen, intervenor-plaintiff Wendy Reed; jury demand (cmur) (Entered: 12/19/2003)

Dec. 18, 2003

Dec. 18, 2003

34

NOTICE of Hearing reset status conference for 10:00 1/12/04 before Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko (obri) (Entered: 12/22/2003)

Dec. 22, 2003

Dec. 22, 2003

35

STATUS CONFERENCE held before Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ORAL ORDER Court allows Plaintiff to submit amended complaint on newly named defendants; Defendant to withdraw Motion to Dismiss at a later date Court Reporter: Gilbert O'Brien,ESR. (obri) (Entered: 01/12/2004)

Jan. 12, 2004

Jan. 12, 2004

36

ANSWER to intervenors' Complaint by defendant Wendy's Intl Inc, Assignment Interrogatories due on 1/22/04 for Wendy's Intl Inc ; (cmur) (Entered: 01/13/2004)

Jan. 12, 2004

Jan. 12, 2004

37

NOTICE of Hearing set telephone Status conference for 2:00 1/21/04 before Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko (cmur) (Entered: 01/14/2004)

Jan. 14, 2004

Jan. 14, 2004

38

ANSWER to Local Rule 26 Interrogatories by defendant Wendy's Intl Inc; jury demand (cmur) (Entered: 01/15/2004)

Jan. 14, 2004

Jan. 14, 2004

39

MOTION by defendant Metrolina Rest Group, defendant Florida Rest Group to dismiss intervenors' complaint (erav) (Entered: 01/21/2004)

Jan. 20, 2004

Jan. 20, 2004

40

MEMORANDUM by defendant Metrolina Rest Group, defendant Florida Rest Group in support of [39-1] motion to dismiss intervenors' complaint w/attached affidavit of Gary M. Miller. (erav) (Entered: 01/21/2004)

Jan. 20, 2004

Jan. 20, 2004

41

ANSWER to Local Rule 26.01 Interrogatories by defendant Metrolina Rest Group; jury demand (erav) (Entered: 01/21/2004)

Jan. 20, 2004

Jan. 20, 2004

42

ANSWER to Local Rule 26.01 Interrogatories by defendant Florida Rest Group; jury demand (erav) (Entered: 01/21/2004)

Jan. 20, 2004

Jan. 20, 2004

43

MOTION by defendant Carolina Rest Group to dismiss intervenors' complaint (erav) (Entered: 01/21/2004)

Jan. 20, 2004

Jan. 20, 2004

45

MOTION by defendant Wendy's Intl Inc for William P. Miles, Jr. to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100 Receipt # scx200000563 (cmur) (Entered: 01/26/2004)

Jan. 23, 2004

Jan. 23, 2004

46

AFFIDAVIT of William P. Miles, Jr. by defendant Wendy's Intl Inc Re: [45-1] motion for William P. Miles, Jr. to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100 Receipt # scx200000563 (cmur) (Entered: 01/26/2004)

Jan. 23, 2004

Jan. 23, 2004

47

MOTION by defendant Wendy's Intl Inc for Todd D. Wozniak to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100 Receipt # scx200000563 (cmur) (Entered: 01/26/2004)

Jan. 23, 2004

Jan. 23, 2004

48

AFFIDAVIT of Tod D. Wozniak by defendant Wendy's Intl Inc Re: [47-1] motion for Todd D. Wozniak to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100 Receipt # scx200000563 (cmur) (Entered: 01/26/2004)

Jan. 23, 2004

Jan. 23, 2004

49

ORDER granting [47-1] motion for Todd D. Wozniak to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100 Receipt # scx200000563 ( signed by Judge David C. Norton for Judge Duffy) (cmck) (Entered: 02/02/2004)

Jan. 30, 2004

Jan. 30, 2004

50

ORDER granting [45-1] motion for William P. Miles, Jr. to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT $100 Receipt # scx200000563 ( signed by Judge David C. Norton for Judge Duffy) (cmck) (Entered: 02/02/2004)

Jan. 30, 2004

Jan. 30, 2004

51

CONSENT ORDER extending time for Palmetto Restaurant Group to respond to Intervenor's Complaint. New deadline set for February 22, 2004. ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod 2/10/04 (ssan) (Entered: 02/10/2004)

Feb. 10, 2004

Feb. 10, 2004

52

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for Kirk Joseph Angel to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT (jtho) (Entered: 02/11/2004)

Feb. 11, 2004

Feb. 11, 2004

53

AFFIDAVIT of Kirk Joseph Angel by plaintiff EEOC Re: [52-1] motion for Kirk Joseph Angel to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT (jtho) (Entered: 02/11/2004)

Feb. 11, 2004

Feb. 11, 2004

54

MEMORANDUM by intervenor-plaintiff Shakeenya Coley, intervenor-plaintiff Shaketia Ford, intervenor-plaintiff Angelia Gary, intervenor-plaintiff Vernata Green, intervenor-plaintiff Melody Grimmage, intervenor-plaintiff Marketia Kinzer, intervenor-plaintiff Beverly Lewis, intervenor-plaintiff Michell E Linen, intervenor-plaintiff Wendy Reed in opposition to [43-1] motion to dismiss intervenors' complaint, [39-1] motion to dismiss intervenors' complaint (cmur) (Entered: 02/12/2004)

Feb. 11, 2004

Feb. 11, 2004

55

ORDER granting [52-1] motion for Kirk Joseph Angel to appear pro hac vice FILING FEE AMOUNT ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod 2/18/04 (cmur) (Entered: 02/18/2004)

Feb. 17, 2004

Feb. 17, 2004

56

REPLY by defendant Metrolina Rest Group, defendant Florida Rest Group to intervenor plaintiffs'[54-1] memorandum in opposition to defendants' motions to dismiss (erav) (Entered: 02/20/2004)

Feb. 19, 2004

Feb. 19, 2004

58

ANSWER to Intervenors' Complaint by defendant Palmetto Rest Group (Attorney Debbie Whittle Durban), (cram) (Entered: 02/24/2004)

Feb. 23, 2004

Feb. 23, 2004

59

ANSWER to Local Rule 26 Interrogatories by defendant Palmetto Rest Group; jury demand (cram) (Entered: 02/24/2004)

Feb. 23, 2004

Feb. 23, 2004

Minute entry: Per Judge Kosko's chambers Telephone conference held in chamber off record staying all matter until 5/20/04 (obri) (Entered: 03/25/2004)

March 25, 2004

March 25, 2004

60

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for Kirk J Angel to withdraw as attorney (jtho) (Entered: 04/07/2004)

April 7, 2004

April 7, 2004

61

ORDER granting [60-1] motion for Kirk J Angel to withdraw as attorney (Terminated attorney Kirk J Angel for EEOC ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod (cmur) (Entered: 04/09/2004)

April 9, 2004

April 9, 2004

62

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for attorney Edwin L. Turnage to withdraw as attorney (dnap) (Entered: 04/28/2004)

April 28, 2004

April 28, 2004

63

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to stay the proceedings until May 31, 2004 (dnap) (Entered: 04/28/2004)

April 28, 2004

April 28, 2004

64

ORDER granting [62-1] motion for attorney Edwin L. Turnage to withdraw as attorney ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod 5/5/04 (cmur) (Entered: 05/05/2004)

May 4, 2004

May 4, 2004

65

ORDER granting [63-1] motion to stay the proceedings until May 31, 2004 ( signed by Magistrate Judge George C. Kosko ) eod 5/5/04 (cmur) (Entered: 05/05/2004)

May 4, 2004

May 4, 2004

66

ORDER (CONSENT DECREE) for settlement for the total sum of four hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred thousand and .00/100 dollars ($487,500.00) of any and all claims raised , or which could have been raised by claimants against the Company. The Court shall retain jurisdiction of this case during the duration of this Consent Decree for purposes of resolving controversies arising under this Consent Decree and for entry of any orders that may be necessary to resolve such controversies or to enforce the terms of this Consent Decree. Full details set forth in order (Consent Decree); with all parties to bear their own attorneys' fees and costs This consent decree operates as a final dismissal with prejudice of all claims made. ( signed by Judge Patrick Michael Duffy ) eod (cmur) Modified on 06/21/2004 (Entered: 06/21/2004)

June 21, 2004

June 21, 2004

Clearinghouse

Case closed (cmur) (Entered: 06/21/2004)

June 21, 2004

June 21, 2004

Case Details

State / Territory: South Carolina

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 7, 2003

Closing Date: 2007

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Wendy's International, Inc. (Georgetown, SC), Private Entity/Person

Florida Restaurant Group LLC (Georgetown, SC), Private Entity/Person

Metrolina Restaurant Group LLC (Georgetown, SC), Private Entity/Person

Carolina Restaurant Group, Inc. (Georgetown, SC), Private Entity/Person

Palmetto Restaurant Group LLC (Georgetown, SC), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: 487500

Order Duration: 2004 - 2007

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Reporting

Monitoring

Issues

General:

Retaliation

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination-basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit