The Dallas District Office of the EEOC brought this suit against Ron Clark Ford, Inc., in June of 2001, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The suit alleged sexual harassment and retaliated against in violation of Title VII. In October of 2001 three of the complainants intervened in the suit. There was a partial motion for summary judgment filed by the EEOC and the intervenors. The partial summary judgment regarded the affirmative defenses asserted by the defendant, namely, the statute of limitations, the absence of conditions precedent to an EEOC suit, laches, and the Texas Labor Code. The court granted the partial summary judgment motion. A month before the trial was scheduled, the parties reached a settlement and a consent decree was issued on October 24th, 2002.

The consent decree contained both injunctive relief and monetary relief. The injunctions specifically directed Ron Clark Ford to revamp their anti-discrimination and complaint policies, as well as train all employees. With regard to the specific complainants Ron Clark Ford was required to expunge their records and provide neutral references. In addition Ron Clark Ford was required to pay the sum of $140,000 to the six complainants in amounts to be determined by the EEOC. The consent decree expired by its own terms after 36 months.

Alex Bean - 06/12/2007


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