Case: EEOC v. WC&M ENTERPRISES INC (d/b/a STREATER-SMITH HONDA)

4:04-cv-03372 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: Aug. 25, 2004

Closed Date: Oct. 17, 2007

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In August 2004, the Houston District Office of the EEOC filed this lawsuit against the car dealership WC&M Enterprises Inc., doing business as Streater-Smith Honda, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleging discrimination on the basis of national origin and religion in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the complaint alleged that the complainant, a muslim from India, was subjected to a hostile work environment and fired in retali…

In August 2004, the Houston District Office of the EEOC filed this lawsuit against the car dealership WC&M Enterprises Inc., doing business as Streater-Smith Honda, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleging discrimination on the basis of national origin and religion in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the complaint alleged that the complainant, a muslim from India, was subjected to a hostile work environment and fired in retaliation for complaining about it. Following some discovery, the defendant successfully moved for summary judgment in October 2005. The EEOC appealed the decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2005. The Fifth Circuit reversed and remanded the decision back to the U.S. District Court in October 2007. Shortly thereafter, the parties settled the lawsuit through a consent decree.

The two-year consent decree, containing an agreement not to discriminate or retaliate, required the defendant to: make annual compliance reports, apologize to the complainant, expunge the complainant's employment record, provide a neutral reference, post notice of employee rights, provide EEO training, and pay $13,500 to the complainant.

Summary Authors

David Friedman (4/17/2008)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

4:04-cv-03372

Docket (PACER)

Equal Employment Opp v. WC&M Enterprises Inc

Oct. 17, 2007

Oct. 17, 2007

Docket
1

4:04-cv-03372

Original Complaint of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

EEOC v. WC&M Enterprises Inc

Aug. 25, 2004

Aug. 25, 2004

Complaint
37

4:04-cv-03372

Opinion on Summary Judgment

EEOC v. WC & M Enterprises Inc

Aug. 30, 2005

Aug. 30, 2005

Order/Opinion

2005 WL 2005

4:04-cv-03372

05-21090

Judgment

EEOC v. WC & M Enterprises Inc

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Oct. 5, 2007

Oct. 5, 2007

Order/Opinion
52

4:04-cv-03372

Consent Decree

EEOC v. WC&M Enterprises Inc

Oct. 17, 2007

Oct. 17, 2007

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4396827/eeoc-v-wcm-enterprises-inc/

Last updated March 27, 2024, 3:13 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT by Equal Employment Opp filed; (bchurchill) Additional attachment(s) added on 4/11/2006 (jdavenport, ). (Entered: 08/26/2004)

Aug. 25, 2004

Aug. 25, 2004

RECAP
2

ORDER for conference set initial pretrial conference for 10:30 11/8/04 before Judge Lynn N. Hughes, entered; Parties notified. (bchurchill) Additional attachment(s) added on 4/11/2006 (jdavenport, ). (Entered: 08/26/2004)

Aug. 25, 2004

Aug. 25, 2004

PACER
3

ORDER for Disclosure.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(sjones, ) (Entered: 09/14/2004)

Sept. 13, 2004

Sept. 13, 2004

PACER
4

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to WC&M Enterprises Inc served on 8/26/2004, answer due 9/15/2004, filed.(sjones, ) (Entered: 09/16/2004)

Sept. 13, 2004

Sept. 13, 2004

PACER
5

ORIGINAL ANSWER to Complaint with Jury demand by WC&M Enterprises Inc, filed.(sjones, ) (Entered: 09/17/2004)

Sept. 16, 2004

Sept. 16, 2004

PACER
6

ORDER Resetting Conference, The pretrial conference has been reset to 10/12/2004 @3:00pm. ( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(sjones, ) Modified on 9/23/2004 (sjones, ). Modified on 9/23/2004 (ltien, ). (Entered: 09/20/2004)

Sept. 20, 2004

Sept. 20, 2004

PACER
8

INITIAL DISCLOSURES by WC&M Enterprises Inc, filed.(sjones, ) (Entered: 10/10/2004)

Oct. 4, 2004

Oct. 4, 2004

PACER
7

Joint Chronology by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, filed.(Bowne, Timothy) (Entered: 10/08/2004)

Oct. 8, 2004

Oct. 8, 2004

PACER
9

CONFERENCE MEMORANDUM: Appearances: Timothy M Bowne, Mark R Lapidus. By November 19, 2004, WC&M must depose Rofig. By November 19, 2004, the commission must depose Burgoon and Swigart. Pretrial Conference set for 11/29/2004 at 03:30 PM before Judge Lynn N. Hughes.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(jhancock) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

Oct. 12, 2004

Oct. 12, 2004

PACER
10

UNOPPOSED MOTION To Extend Deadlines, by WC&M Enterprises Inc, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/12/2004. (Attachments: # 1)(psmith, ) (Entered: 11/23/2004)

Nov. 22, 2004

Nov. 22, 2004

PACER
11

RETURN of Service of Subpoena for Richard Burgeon, Executed on 11/2/04, filed.(mbergara, ) (Entered: 12/09/2004)

Dec. 3, 2004

Dec. 3, 2004

PACER
12

RETURN of Service of Subpoena on Jerry Swiggart, Executed on 11/2/04, filed.(mbergara, ) (Entered: 12/09/2004)

Dec. 3, 2004

Dec. 3, 2004

PACER
13

ORDER granting 10 Motion for Extension of Time, pretrial conference is reset to 1/18/2005 at 10:30 a.m. .( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(fwilliams) (Entered: 12/09/2004)

Dec. 8, 2004

Dec. 8, 2004

PACER
14

Subpoena as to Jerry Swiggart, filed.(sjones, ) (Entered: 12/29/2004)

Dec. 28, 2004

Dec. 28, 2004

PACER
15

SUBPOENA as to Richard Burgoon, filed.(sjones, ) (Entered: 01/04/2005)

Jan. 3, 2005

Jan. 3, 2005

PACER
16

ORDER parties to produce documents by 2/17/2005 .( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(fwilliams) (Entered: 01/19/2005)

Jan. 18, 2005

Jan. 18, 2005

PACER
17

CONFERENCE MEMORANDUM held in chambers before Judge Lynn Hughes on 1/18/05: Apps: Timothy M Bowne f/pltf, Mark R Lapidus f/deft. Order to be entered. A pretrial conference is set for 3/2/05 @4:30pm .( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(sjones, ) (Entered: 01/19/2005)

Jan. 18, 2005

Jan. 18, 2005

PACER
18

CONFERENCE MEMORANDUM: Appearances: Meagan Krudsen, Timothy M Bowne. Order to be entered. Pretrial Conference set for 4/6/2005 at 04:30 PM before Judge Lynn N. Hughes.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(jhancock) (Entered: 03/04/2005)

March 2, 2005

March 2, 2005

PACER
19

ORDER: By March 4, 2005, the dealership must graph the sales data- including gross commissions- for all salesmen in Rafiq's group from May 2001 through October 2002. It must submit a copy to the court .( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(jhancock) (Entered: 03/04/2005)

March 3, 2005

March 3, 2005

PACER
21

Letter from Megan L. Knudsent re: 7 color charts that compare Mohommed Rafiq's gross earnings with the average gross earnings of all other Honda new car salesperson's at WC&M Enterprises Inc during the relevant time period, filed. (dkelly, ) Additional attachment(s) added on 5/23/2005 (dhansen, ). (Entered: 03/14/2005)

March 4, 2005

March 4, 2005

PACER
20

ORDER, The dealership must move for summary judgment by 3/25/2005.The commission must respond by 4/8/2005. ( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(bthomas, ) (Entered: 03/09/2005)

March 8, 2005

March 8, 2005

PACER
22

MOTION for Summary Judgment by WC&M Enterprises Inc, filed. Motion Docket Date 4/18/2005. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(dkelly, ) (Entered: 03/30/2005)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

March 28, 2005

March 28, 2005

PACER
23

Opposed MOTION to Strike by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, filed. Motion Docket Date 4/28/2005. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(Bowne, Timothy) (Entered: 04/08/2005)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

April 8, 2005

April 8, 2005

PACER
24

RESPONSE to 22 WC&M's MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Pt 2 # 2 Proposed Order)(dkelly, ) (Entered: 04/12/2005)

1 Pt 2

View on PACER

2 Proposed Order

View on PACER

April 8, 2005

April 8, 2005

PACER
25

Order: Motion Hearing set for 4/29/2005 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 11C before Judge Lynn N. Hughes as to 22 MOTION for Summary Judgment, 23 Opposed MOTION to Strike, 24 Response to Motion. Parties notified. (jhancock) (Entered: 04/18/2005)

April 18, 2005

April 18, 2005

PACER
26

Minute Entry for motion hearing for proceedings held before Judge Lynn N. Hughes. Appearances:Megan Krudsen, Timothy M Bowne, Mark R Lapidus.(Court Reporter: Fred Warner)Order to be entered.(jhancock) (Entered: 05/03/2005)

April 29, 2005

April 29, 2005

PACER
27

ORDER: The Commission's 23 Opposed MOTION to Strike is DENIED. By May 13, 2005, the dealership must produce a chart comparing Rafiq's actual earnings and the average tenure for a new-car salesman. The dealership may amend its motion for summary judgment by May 6, 2005. The commission may respond by May 13, 2005.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(psmith, ) (Entered: 05/05/2005)

May 4, 2005

May 4, 2005

PACER
28

First Amended MOTION for Summary Judgment by WC&M Enterprises Inc, filed. Motion Docket Date 5/31/2005. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(rroberts, ) (Entered: 05/10/2005)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

May 9, 2005

May 9, 2005

PACER
29

RESPONSE to 28 First Amended MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order)(sfedele, ) (Entered: 05/13/2005)

1 Proposed Order

View on PACER

May 13, 2005

May 13, 2005

PACER
30

Response from atty Meagan L. Knudsen to Court's 27 Order dated 5/4/05 (sjones, ) Additional attachment(s) added on 5/24/2005 (dhansen, ). (Entered: 05/20/2005)

May 16, 2005

May 16, 2005

PACER
31

ORDER: The commission has until 06/03/2005, to submit whatever analysis of the sales data it wants the court to review, including a comparison of the earnings of Mohommed Rafiq, Phil Gemmer, and Matthew Kiene.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(dhansen) (Entered: 05/26/2005)

May 25, 2005

May 25, 2005

PACER
32

SUPPLEMENT to 29 Response to 28 First Amended MOTION for Summary Judgment by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, filed.(rwestmoreland, ) Modified on 6/6/2005 - linked to #29 (ltien, ). Additional attachment(s) added on 6/6/2005 (ltien, ). (Entered: 06/06/2005)

June 3, 2005

June 3, 2005

PACER
33

SUPPLEMENT to its 29 Response to WC&M's First Amended Motion for Summary Judgment, by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, filed.(psmith, ) (Entered: 06/06/2005)

June 3, 2005

June 3, 2005

PACER
34

Letter Request from Mark R. Lapidus to file a brief reply on behalf of WC&M Enterprises to the EEOC's supplement to its response to WC&M's first amended motion for summary judgment. (dkelly) (Entered: 06/10/2005)

June 9, 2005

June 9, 2005

PACER
35

ORDER: By June 24, 2005, the dealership may reply.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(dkelly) (Entered: 06/17/2005)

June 16, 2005

June 16, 2005

PACER
36

Defendant's Reply to EEOC's Response to its 28 MOTION for Summary Judgment, filed by WC&M Enterprises Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Continuation)(rroberts, ) (Entered: 06/27/2005)

1 Continuation

View on PACER

June 24, 2005

June 24, 2005

PACER
37

OPINION on Summary Judgment. On it's 28 MOTION for Summary Judgment, Streater-Smith will prevail, and the commission will take nothing.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(dkelly) (Entered: 08/31/2005)

Aug. 30, 2005

Aug. 30, 2005

RECAP
38

FINAL JUDGMENT: the EEOC takes nothing from WC&M Enterprises, Inc. ( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(dkelly, ) (Entered: 10/20/2005)

Oct. 19, 2005

Oct. 19, 2005

PACER
39

NOTICE OF APPEAL to US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Filing fee $ 255), filed.(Bowne, Timothy) (Entered: 12/15/2005)

Dec. 15, 2005

Dec. 15, 2005

PACER
40

Transmittal Letter to US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit re: 39 Notice of Appeal. Fee status: gov, filed.(jdavenport, ) (Entered: 12/20/2005)

Dec. 19, 2005

Dec. 19, 2005

PACER
41

TRANSCRIPT ORDER FORM re: 39 Notice of Appeal by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This is to order a transcript of the following proceedings: Pre-Trial Hearing held on April 29, 2005 before Judge Hughes. Court Reporter: Fred Warner, filed.(psmith, ) (Entered: 01/11/2006)

Dec. 29, 2005

Dec. 29, 2005

PACER
42

Notice of Docketing Notice of Appeal from US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit re: 39 Notice of Appeal. USCA No. 05-21090, filed.(jdavenport, ) (Entered: 01/11/2006)

Jan. 11, 2006

Jan. 11, 2006

PACER
43

APPEAL TRANSCRIPT of motion hearing held on 4/29/05 before Judge Lynn Hughes re: 39 Notice of Appeal. Court Reporter: Fred Warner, filed.(cpeebles) Additional attachment(s) added on 4/11/2006 (jdavenport, ). (Entered: 03/30/2006)

March 30, 2006

March 30, 2006

PACER
44

Record on Appeal with certified docket sheet transmitted to US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit re: 39 Notice of Appeal ; consisting of 3 volumes of electronic record, 2 of record and 1 of transcript (USCA No. 05-21090), filed.(jdavenport, ) (Entered: 04/19/2006)

April 19, 2006

April 19, 2006

PACER
45

NOTICE of Receipt of Record on Appeal from US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit re: 39 Notice of Appeal. USCA No. 05-21090. Record received by USCA on 4/24/2006, filed.(ltien, ) (Entered: 05/18/2006)

May 17, 2006

May 17, 2006

PACER
46

This entry is a duplicate of 45 . NOTICE of Receipt of Record on Appeal from US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit re: 39 Notice of Appeal. USCA No. 05-21090. Record received by USCA on 4/24/2006, filed.(blacy, ) Modified on 5/18/2006 (ltien, ). (Entered: 05/18/2006)

May 17, 2006

May 17, 2006

PACER
47

USCA Letter from the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit re: 39 Notice of Appeal (USCA No. 05-21090). The electronic copy of the record has been recycled.(dhays, ) Modified on 10/15/2007 (dhays, ). (Entered: 10/05/2007)

Oct. 5, 2007

Oct. 5, 2007

PACER
48

Per Curiam of USCA for the Fifth Circuit (copy) dated 8/10/07 re: 39 Notice of Appeal ; USCA No. 05-21090. Reversed and Remanded. Case reopened on 10/5/07, filed.(rvazquez, ) (Entered: 10/05/2007)

Oct. 5, 2007

Oct. 5, 2007

PACER
49

Judgment of USCA for the Fifth Circuit (certified copy) dated 8/10/07 issued as mandate 10/02/07; re: 39 Notice of Appeal ; USCA No. 05-21090. Judgment is reversed, and the cause is remanded to the District Court for further proceedings, filed.(dhays, ) (Entered: 10/05/2007)

Oct. 5, 2007

Oct. 5, 2007

PACER
50

Joint MOTION for Entry of Order re: Entry of Consent Decree by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/29/2007. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Consent Decree)(Bowne, Timothy) (Entered: 10/09/2007)

1 Proposed Order Consent Decree

View on PACER

Oct. 9, 2007

Oct. 9, 2007

PACER
51

CONSENT DECREE re: 50 Joint MOTION for Entry of Order re: Entry of Consent Decree. Case terminated on 10/12/2007.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(dkelly, ) (Entered: 10/12/2007)

Oct. 12, 2007

Oct. 12, 2007

PACER
52

CONSENT DECREE.( Signed by Judge Lynn N. Hughes ) Parties notified.(dkelly, ) (Entered: 10/17/2007)

Oct. 17, 2007

Oct. 17, 2007

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 25, 2004

Closing Date: Oct. 17, 2007

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

WC&M Enterprises Inc. (Conroe, Texas), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Any published opinion

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: 13500

Order Duration: 2005 - 2007

Content of Injunction:

Apology

Expungement of Employment Record

Neutral/Positive Reference

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination-basis:

National origin discrimination

Religion discrimination

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

National Origin/Ethnicity:

Indian