Case: EEOC v. THE CLUB AT FIRESTONE

6:03-cv-00383 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filed Date: March 28, 2003

Closed Date: 2007

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

EEOC's Miami, FL office filed this Title VII racial discrimination lawsuit against the defendants C-Sonya, Inc. and Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc. The lawsuit was filed at the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Orlando) on 03/28/2003. Defendant C-Sonya, Inc. operated a nightclub in Orlando, FL. The other defendant Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc. was an employee leasing service that provided administrative services to the club. EEOC alleged on behalf of two former Black bartenders at the club that they were discharged because the owner wanted to change the image of the club and their race did not fit in with the new image. The club retained six other white bartenders and hired five additional white bartenders later. The individual complainants did not intervene in the EEOC lawsuit or file a separate lawsuit.The case was referred to mediation on 08/27/2003. EEOC filed a motion for protective order on 04/26/2004 after the employee leasing service requested deposition of the EEOC counsel so as to find out why it was charged as a defendant as well. Magistrate Judge David A. Baker denied EEOC's motion but stressed that the EEOC counsel would be subject to attorney privileges during the deposition. One month later on 05/27/2004, EEOC and the club filed a notice of pending settlement. A consent decree was entered into judgment on 08/25/2004. For the employee leasing service, the parties moved for voluntary dismissal on the same day that the consent decree had been proposed. The district judge granted the dismissal on 08/25/2004.Under the three-year consent decree, the club agreed to pay $40,000 to each complainant. It was enjoined from racial discrimination and was required to report annually on the race discrimination complaints received and actions taken in response.The decree was entered in 2004 and scheduled to last until 2007. No further docket entries exist, so the case is closed.

Summary Authors

Justin Kanter (8/11/2007)

Clearinghouse (12/3/2018)

People

Judge(s)

Baker, David A. (Florida)

Judge(s)

Baker, David A. (Florida)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

6:03-cv-00383	Docket (PACER) EEOC v. C-Sonya, Inc.	Aug. 25, 2004	Aug. 25, 2004 Docket
1 6:03-cv-00383	Complaint EEOC v. C-Sonya, Inc. d/b/a The Club and Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc.	March 28, 2003	March 28, 2003 Complaint
26 6:03-cv-00383	Order EEOC v. C-Sonya, Inc. d/b/a The Club and Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc.	April 28, 2004	April 28, 2004 Order/Opinion
33 6:03-cv-00383	Consent Decree EEOC v. C-Sonya, Inc. d/b/a The Club and Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc.	July 15, 2004	July 15, 2004 Settlement Agreement
6:03-cv-00383	EEOC Litigation Settlements - August 2004 EEOC v. C-Sonya, Inc. d/b/a The Club and Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc. No Court	Nov. 19, 2004	Nov. 19, 2004 Press Release

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Resources

Resources related to this case
Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
Under the Radar: Visibility and the Effects of Discrimination Lawsuits in Small and Large Firms Carly Knight, Frank Dobbin, Alexandra Kalev	Research on how discrimination lawsuits affect corporate diversity has yielded mixed results. Qualitative studies highlight the limited efficacy of lawsuits in the typical workplace, finding that lit…	March 2022	April 1, 2022 https://cris.tau.ac.il/...

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Docket

Last updated March 26, 2025, 9:24 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	March 28, 2003	COMPLAINT filed for racial discrimination in employment; jury demand (jrm) (Entered: 03/31/2003)	PACER
	March 28, 2003	MAGISTRATE JUDGE CASE ASSIGNMENT Magistrate assigned: David A. Baker (jrm) (Entered: 03/31/2003)	PACER
	April 2, 2003	SUMMONS issued for C-Sonya, Inc., Concept 2000 (jrm) (Entered: 04/02/2003)	PACER
2	April 3, 2003	RELATED CASE ORDER (response due within 11 days) and NOTICE of designation under Local Rule 3.05 - TRACK 2. (ctc) (jrm) (Entered: 04/03/2003)	PACER
3	April 3, 2003	ORDER ON INTERESTED PERSONS and corporate disclosure. Response due within 11 days. (Signed by Judge John Antoon II) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 04/03/2003)	PACER
4	April 17, 2003	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by plaintiff EEOC and corporate disclosure statement Re: [3-1] order (jrm) (Entered: 04/17/2003)	PACER
5	April 17, 2003	NOTICE (no related cases) by plaintiff EEOC of pendency of other actions re: order of compliance with Local Rule 1.04(c) (jrm) (Entered: 04/17/2003)	PACER
6	May 12, 2003	ANSWER and affirmative defenses to [1-1] complaint by defendants C-Sonya, Inc., Concept 2000 (jrm) (Entered: 05/12/2003)	PACER
7	July 7, 2003	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by defendants C-Sonya, Inc., Concept 2000 and corporate disclosure statement Re: [3-1] order (jrm) (Entered: 07/08/2003)	PACER
8	July 10, 2003	CASE MANAGEMENT REPORT (Document stricken and returned to plaintiff's counsel pursuant to Court Order - Doc. No. 11) (jrm) Modified on 07/24/2003 (Entered: 07/10/2003)	PACER
9	July 14, 2003	ORDER ON INTERESTED PERSONS and corporate disclosure. Defendant C-Sonya, Inc., shall respond within 11 days. (Signed by Judge John Antoon II) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 07/14/2003)	PACER
10	July 21, 2003	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by defendant C-Sonya, Inc. and corporate disclosure statement Re: [9-1] order (jrm) (Entered: 07/21/2003)	PACER
11	July 23, 2003	ORDER striking [8-1] case management report for failure to comply with the Local Rules and said document shall be returned to plaintiff's counsel. The parties shall file a fully executed case management report by 08-15-03. (Signed by Judge John Antoon II) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 07/24/2003)	PACER
12	Aug. 1, 2003	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PERSONS by defendant Concept 2000 and corporate disclosure statement Re: [3-1] order (jrm) (Entered: 08/01/2003)	PACER
13	Aug. 8, 2003	MOTION (stipulation) by defendant Concept 2000 to substitute attorney; Daniel H. Kunkel and Lorraine Maass Hultman in place of Richard Giardino ; referred to Magistrate Judge David A. Baker (jrm) (Entered: 08/08/2003)	PACER
14	Aug. 11, 2003	ORDER granting [13-1] motion to substitute attorney; Daniel H. Kunkel and Lorraine Maass Hultman in place of Richard Giardino for defendant Concept 2000; terminated attorney Richard A. Giardino for Concept 2000. Added Daniel H. Kunkel and Lorraine Maass Hultman. (Signed by Magistrate Judge David A. Baker) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 08/12/2003)	PACER
15	Aug. 12, 2003	JOINT MOTION by plaintiff EEOC, defendants C-Sonya, Inc., Concept 2000 for telephonic amended case management meeting ; referred to Magistrate Judge David A. Baker (jrm) (Entered: 08/12/2003)	PACER
16	Aug. 14, 2003	JOINT MOTION by plaintiff EEOC, defendants C-Sonya, Inc., Concept 2000 for telephonic amended case management meeting ; referred to Magistrate Judge David A. Baker (jrm) (Entered: 08/14/2003)	PACER
17	Aug. 15, 2003	AMENDED CASE MANAGEMENT REPORT (jrm) (Entered: 08/15/2003)	PACER
18	Aug. 15, 2003	ORDER granting [16-1] joint motion for telephonic amended case management meeting (Signed by Magistrate Judge David A. Baker) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 08/15/2003)	PACER
19	Aug. 15, 2003	ORDER denying as moot [15-1] joint motion for telephonic amended case management meeting (Signed by Magistrate Judge David A. Baker) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 08/15/2003)	PACER
20	Aug. 27, 2003	CASE MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULING ORDER setting Joining of parties, amending of pleadings on 10/8/03 ; Discovery cutoff 5/7/04 ; dispositive motion filing deadline for 6/1/04. Pretrial statement due on or before 8/4/04 ; Jury trial set for term beginning 8:30 on 10/1/04 ; Scheduled for Judge John Antoon II (signed by Judge John Antoon II) ctc (lak) (Entered: 08/28/2003)	PACER
20	Aug. 27, 2003	ORDER referring case to mediation. Appointing J. Joaquin Fraxedas as mediator. Conduct hearing by 5/26/04. Lead counsel, John C. Weaver, to coordinate dates. (Signed by Judge John Antoon II) ctc (lak) (Entered: 08/28/2003)	PACER
21	Dec. 12, 2003	NOTICE by Concept 2000 of unavailability of counsel from 12/19/03 to 1/5/04 (lak) (Entered: 12/12/2003)	PACER
22	March 19, 2004	NOTICE by Concept 2000 of change of address for counsel (lak) (Entered: 03/22/2004)	PACER
23	April 15, 2004	NOTICE by defendant Concept 2000 of unavailability of counsel (jrm) (Entered: 04/15/2004)	PACER
24	April 26, 2004	EMERGENCY MOTION with attachment by plaintiff EEOC with memorandum in support for protective order for the 30(b)(6) deposition of an EEOC official ; referred to Magistrate Judge David A. Baker (jrm) (Entered: 04/26/2004)	PACER
25	April 28, 2004	OPPOSITION by defendant Concept 2000 to [24-1] plaintiff's emergency motion for protective order for the 30(b)(6) deposition of an EEOC official (jrm) (Entered: 04/28/2004)	PACER
26	April 28, 2004	ORDER denying [24-1] plaintiff's motion for protective order for the 30(b)(6) deposition of an EEOC official (Signed by Magistrate Judge David A. Baker) ctc (jrm) (Entered: 04/28/2004)	PACER
27	May 4, 2004	JOINT MOTION with supporting memorandum by plaintiff EEOC, defendants C-Sonya, Inc., Concept 2000 for sixty-day extension of the remaining litigation deadlines in this case (jrm) (Entered: 05/04/2004)	PACER
29	May 17, 2004	MEMORANDUM with attached exhibit by defendant C-Sonya, Inc. in opposition to [28-1] plaintiff's motion for leave to amend [1-1] complaint to add successor employer as a party defendant (jrm) (Entered: 05/17/2004)	PACER
30	May 20, 2004	AMENDED CASE MANAGEMENT AND SCHEDULING ORDER amending [20-1] Scheduling Order; reset scheduling order deadlines: Discovery cutoff 7/6/04; Deadline for filing motions 8/2/04; Pretrial statement due on 10/4/04; Jury Trial set for 8:30 12/1/04; scheduled for Judge John Antoon II (Signed by Judge John Antoon II 05-19-04) ctc (jrm) Modified on 05/25/2004 (Entered: 05/20/2004)	PACER
31	May 27, 2004	NOTICE OF PENDING SETTLEMENT filed by plaintiff EEOC, defendant C-Sonya, Inc. (jrm) (Entered: 05/27/2004)	PACER
32	May 28, 2004	ORDER of dismissal without prejudice subject to the right of any party to reopen the action within 60 days upon good cause shown. (Signed by Judge John Antoon II) ctc (lak) (Entered: 06/02/2004)	PACER
	May 28, 2004	CASE CLOSED. (lak) (Entered: 06/02/2004)	PACER
33	July 15, 2004	CONSENT DECREE by C-Sonya, Inc., Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Cooper, Cheryl) (Entered: 07/15/2004)	PACER
34	July 15, 2004	STIPULATION of Dismissal With Prejudice by Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc., Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Cooper, Cheryl) (Entered: 07/15/2004)	PACER
35	Aug. 25, 2004	ORDER dismissing case as to Defendant Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc. Signed by Judge John Antoon II on 8/24/2004. (EMW) (Entered: 08/25/2004)	PACER
36	Aug. 25, 2004	Consent decree signed by Judge John Antoon II on 8/24/2004. This document closes the case.(EMW) (Entered: 08/25/2004)	PACER

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Florida

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 28, 2003

Closing Date: 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

Private Entity/Person

C-Sonya, Inc.

Concept 2000 Professional Employers, Inc.

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Florida 6:03-cv-00383

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Retaliation Prohibition

Amount Defendant Pays: 80000

Order Duration: 2004 - 2007

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Disparate Treatment

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of EEOC v. THE CLUB AT FIRESTONE, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/8161/ (last updated 12/3/2018).