Case: EEOC v. Rpm Auto Sales

2:02-cv-72357 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: June 10, 2002

Closed Date: Dec. 15, 2003

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In June 2002, the Detroit District Office of the EEOC brought this suit against RPM Auto Sales, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the compliant alleged that the defendant subjected the two charging parties, female employees, to a sexually hostile work environment consisting of unwelcome sexual comments, innuendos, jokes, and touching, resulting…

In June 2002, the Detroit District Office of the EEOC brought this suit against RPM Auto Sales, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan alleging discrimination on the basis of sex in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the compliant alleged that the defendant subjected the two charging parties, female employees, to a sexually hostile work environment consisting of unwelcome sexual comments, innuendos, jokes, and touching, resulting in the constructive discharge of the charging parties.

In July 2002, the charging parties intervened in the suit. After some scheduling orders and discovery, the case was tried by a jury in December 2003 with the jury returning a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs. The court entered judgment for the plaintiffs in mid-December 2003. Thereafter, the defendant filed a couple motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, but both of these motions were denied. The jury verdict required the defendant to pay $137,000 to be divided between the two charging parties.

Summary Authors

Michele Marxkors (7/6/2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11790098/parties/eeoc-v-rpm-auto-sales-inc/


Judge(s)

Friedman, Bernard A. (Michigan)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:02-cv-72357

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. RPM Auto Sales Inc

May 13, 2004

May 13, 2004

Docket
1

2:02-cv-72357

Complaint

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. RPM Auto Sales Inc

June 10, 2002

June 10, 2002

Complaint
5

2:02-cv-72357

First Amended Complaint and Jury Demand

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Janet Reddington, and Lisa Bice v. RPM Auto Sales, Inc.

July 17, 2002

July 17, 2002

Complaint
6

2:02-cv-72357

Complaint and Jury Demand [Second Amended]

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Janet Reddington, and Lisa Bice v. RPM Auto Sales, Inc.

July 30, 2002

July 30, 2002

Complaint
38

2:02-cv-72357

Judgment on Jury Verdict

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Janet Reddington and Lisa Bice v. RPM Auto Sales, Inc.

Dec. 15, 2003

Dec. 15, 2003

Order/Opinion
70

2:02-cv-72357

Order Granting Plaintiff's Motion to Show Cause

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Janet Reddington and Lisa Bice v. RPM Auto Sales, Inc.

April 23, 2004

April 23, 2004

Order/Opinion

2:02-cv-72357

Office of General Counsel FY 2004 Annual Report - Summary of Accomplishments

EEOC v. RPM Auto Sales, Inc.

No Court

Oct. 18, 2005

Oct. 18, 2005

Press Release

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/11790098/eeoc-v-rpm-auto-sales-inc/

Last updated March 25, 2026, 4:51 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
1 June 10, 2002

COMPLAINT; jury demand (kb) (Entered: 06/11/2002)

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2 July 10, 2002

ANSWER by defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc to complaint [1-1] with proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 07/11/2002)

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3 July 15, 2002

MOTION by movants Janet Reddington and Lisa Bice for court's intervention and to file first amended complaint [1-1] with attachment and proof of service (no brief) (lh) (Entered: 07/16/2002)

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4 July 17, 2002

ORDER by Judge Bernard A. Friedman granting motion for court's intervention by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington [3-1], granting motion to file first amended complaint [1-1] by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington [3-2] [EOD Date 7/18/02] (lh) (Entered: 07/18/2002)

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5 July 17, 2002

FIRST amended complaint by EEOC and intervening plaintiffs Janet Reddington and Lisa Bice adding with jury demand (lh) (Entered: 07/18/2002)

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6 July 30, 2002

SECOND AMENDED complaint by Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice jury demand (dh) (Entered: 08/01/2002)

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7 Aug. 26, 2002

ANSWER by defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc to complaint [1-1]; jury demand and proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 08/27/2002)

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8 Sept. 5, 2002

NOTICE by court of setting scheduling conference for 11:15 9/26/02 (lh) (Entered: 09/06/2002)

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9 Sept. 26, 2002

PRETRIAL scheduling order by Judge Bernard A. Friedman - setting deadline for witness list for 12/1/02, setting deadline for discovery for 5/30/03, setting deadline for filing motions for 6/30/03, setting final pretrial conference for 9/29/03, setting trailing trial docket for 9:00 10/7/03 (kb) (Entered: 09/30/2002)

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Sept. 26, 2002

SCHEDULING conference held - Judge Bernard A. Friedman (cd)

10 Nov. 27, 2002

WITNESS list by plaintiff EEOC, with proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 12/02/2002)

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11 Dec. 16, 2002

WITNESS list by intervening plaintiffs Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice (ew) (Entered: 12/17/2002)

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12 Dec. 16, 2002

WITNESS list by defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc (ew) (Entered: 12/17/2002)

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13 Jan. 7, 2003

ORDER by Judge Bernard A. Friedman with stipulation, regarding location of depositions for defendant's agents, employees and/or representatives [EOD Date: 1/8/03] (PP) (Entered: 01/08/2003)

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14 May 1, 2003

FIRST amended witness list by defendant, with proof of service. (PP) (Entered: 05/02/2003)

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15 May 23, 2003

SECOND AMENEDED WITNESS list by defendant RPM Auto Sales, Inc. with proorf of service. (RH) (Entered: 05/28/2003)

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16 Sept. 29, 2003

NOTICE by court of setting settlement conference for 9:30 10/7/03 with proof of service (lh) (Entered: 09/30/2003)

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17 Nov. 14, 2003

MOTION by defendant to amend witness list by RPM Auto Sales Inc [15-1] with notice of hearing, attachment 1-4, and proof of service. (PP) (Entered: 11/17/2003)

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18 Nov. 18, 2003

ORDER by Judge Bernard A. Friedman, referring motion to amend witness list by RPM Auto Sales Inc [15-1] by RPM Sales Inc [17-1] to Magistrate Judge Steven D. Pepe, for hearing and determination with proof of service [EOD Date 11/19/03] (lh) (Entered: 11/19/2003)

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19 Nov. 19, 2003

NOTICE by plaintiff EEOC of concurrence in and adoption of intervening plaintiff's objection to defendant calling Scott Stevens as a witness and taking his trial deposition (lh) (Entered: 11/20/2003)

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20 Nov. 19, 2003

JOINT request by plaintiff EEOC and intervening plaintiffs Janet Reddington and Lisa Bice for sanctions under rule 16 with proof of service (lh) (Entered: 11/20/2003)

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21 Nov. 25, 2003

APPEARANCE for plaintiff EEOC of co-counsel attorney Omar Weaver, with proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 11/26/2003)

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22 Nov. 25, 2003

RESPONSE by plaintiff EEOC to motion to amend witness list by RPM Auto Sales Inc [15-1] by RPM Auto Sales Inc [17-1] with proof of sevice. (RH) (Entered: 11/26/2003)

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23 Nov. 26, 2003

PROPOSED JURY instructions ommiting authority filed as to EEOC (ew) (Entered: 12/02/2003)

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24 Nov. 26, 2003

PROPOSED JURY instructions filed as to EEOC (ew) (Entered: 12/02/2003)

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25 Nov. 26, 2003

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Steven D. Pepe, setting deadline for statement of issues in motion to amend witness list by RPM Auto Sales Inc [15-1] by RPM Auto Sales Inc [17-1] for 12/9/03, setting hearing on motion to amend witness list by RPM Auto Sales Inc [15-1] by RPM Auto Sales Inc [17-1] for 12/16/03, directing compliance with Local Rule 37.1 [EOD Date 12/2/03] (ew) (Entered: 12/02/2003)

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26 Nov. 26, 2003

PROOF of service of [23-1], [24-1] (ew) (Entered: 12/02/2003)

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31 Nov. 26, 2003

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC in limine to limit the use of Janet Reddington's Medical Records with brief and proof of service (ew) (Entered: 12/05/2003)

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27 Dec. 1, 2003

APPEARANCE for defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc of attorney Steven E. Eimers (ew) (Entered: 12/02/2003)

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28 Dec. 2, 2003

APPEARANCE for defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc of attorney of Steven E. Eimers (ew) (Entered: 12/03/2003)

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29 Dec. 2, 2003

VOIR DIRE questions by plaintiff EEOC (ew) (Entered: 12/03/2003)

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Dec. 2, 2003

VOIR DIRE held before Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

Dec. 2, 2003

JURY impanelment held before Judge Bernard A. Friedman -Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

Dec. 2, 2003

JURY sworn before Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

Dec. 2, 2003

CIVIL jury trial begun and continued to 9:00 12/3/03 - Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

30 Dec. 3, 2003

JOINT FINAL pretrial order by Judge Bernard A. Friedman (ew) (Entered: 12/04/2003)

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Dec. 3, 2003

CIVIL jury trial held and continued to 9:00 12/8/03 - Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

32 Dec. 4, 2003

NOTICE by Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice of concurrence in and adoption of request for sanctions under rule 16 by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington, EEOC [20-1] (ew) (Entered: 12/05/2003)

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33 Dec. 4, 2003

NOTICE by Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice of concurrence in and adoption of motion in limine to limit the use of Janet Reddington's Medical Records by EEOC [31-1] (ew) (Entered: 12/05/2003)

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34 Dec. 4, 2003

NOTICE by Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice of concurrence in and adoption of motion response by EEOC [22-1] (ew) (Entered: 12/05/2003)

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Dec. 8, 2003

CIVIL jury trial held and continued to 9:00 10/9/03 - Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

Dec. 9, 2003

CIVIL jury trial concluded - Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

Dec. 9, 2003

JURY deliberations begun and continued to 9:00 12/10/03 (cd)

Dec. 10, 2003

JURY deliberations concluded (cd)

Dec. 10, 2003

JURY verdict entered for intervening plaintiff Janet Reddington, intervening plaintiff Lisa Bice and against defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc - Judge Bernard A. Friedman - Court Reporter: Joan Morgan (cd)

35 Dec. 11, 2003

JURY notes (RH) (Entered: 12/12/2003)

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36 Dec. 11, 2003

JURY instructions (RH) (Entered: 12/12/2003)

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37 Dec. 12, 2003

VERDICT form (dh) (Entered: 12/15/2003)

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38 Dec. 15, 2003

JUDGMENT entered by Judge Bernard A. Friedman for intervening plaintiffs [EOD Date: 12/17/03] (dh) (Entered: 12/17/2003)

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39 Dec. 29, 2003

MOTION by defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc for judgment notwithstanding the verdict as to Lisa Bice only with brief and proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 12/30/2003)

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40 Dec. 29, 2003

MOTION by defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc to alter or amend judgment pursuant to F.R.C.P. 59 with respect to plaintiff Janet Redding only, with brief, exhibits 1,2 and proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 12/30/2003)

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41 Dec. 29, 2003

MOTION by defendant RPM Auto Sales Inc for judgment notwithstanding the verdict pursuant to F.R.C.P. 50 with respect to plaintiffs Janet Redding and Lise Bice,w ith brief and exhibit 1. (RH) (Entered: 12/30/2003)

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42 Dec. 29, 2003

JURY instructions filed as to intervening plaintiff Janet Reddington, intervening plaintiff Lisa Bice (RH) (Entered: 12/30/2003)

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43 Dec. 29, 2003

PETITION by intervening plaintiff Janet Reddington, intervening plaintiff Lisa Bice by through their attonrey, Leornard Kruse, P.C. for attorney fees, with brief, exhibit A and proof of service. (RH) (Entered: 12/30/2003)

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44 Dec. 29, 2003

PROOF of service of [40-1], [39-1], [38-1] (RH) (Entered: 12/31/2003)

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45 Jan. 5, 2004

AFFIDAVIT of Guy Parsons with attachments (ew) (Entered: 01/05/2004)

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54 Jan. 15, 2004

RESPONSE to 40 Motion to Alter or Amend Judgment Pursuant to FRCP 59 with Respect to Plaintiff Janet Reddington, Only with Exhibits A-D filed by Janet Reddington. (JOwe, ) (Entered: 03/01/2004)

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46 Jan. 21, 2004

MOTION for Injunctive Relief by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A)(PPaul, ) (Entered: 02/04/2004)

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49 Jan. 29, 2004

RESPONSE to 39 Motion for Judgment NOV filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1-3)(PPaul, ) (Entered: 02/13/2004)

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50 Jan. 29, 2004

RESPONSE to 41 Motion for Judgment NOV filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 02/13/2004)

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52 Jan. 29, 2004

NOTICE of concurrence by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (PPaul, ) (Entered: 02/17/2004)

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51 Jan. 30, 2004

NOTICE of concurrence by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington re 50 Response to Motion (PPaul, ) (Entered: 02/17/2004)

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53 Jan. 30, 2004

NOTICE by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington re 49 Response to Motion (PPaul, ) (Entered: 02/17/2004)

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47 Feb. 4, 2004

NOTICE of Hearing on Motion 46 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing set for 3/23/2004 01:00 PM before Honorable Bernard A Friedman. (CDor, ) (Entered: 02/04/2004)

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48 Feb. 4, 2004

NOTICE of Hearing on Motion 39 Motion for Judgment NOV, 40 Motion to Amend/Correct, 41 Motion for Judgment NOV, 46 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Motion Hearing set for 3/23/2004 01:00 PM before Honorable Bernard A Friedman. (CDor, ) (Entered: 02/04/2004)

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55 March 16, 2004

RESPONSE to 43 Petition for attorney fees and costs filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (DPer, ) (Entered: 03/24/2004)

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56 March 16, 2004

RESPONSE to 46 Motion for injunctive relief filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (DPer, ) (Entered: 03/24/2004)

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57 March 16, 2004

RESPONSE to 43 Petition for attorney fees and expenses filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (DPer, ) (Entered: 03/24/2004)

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58 March 19, 2004

REPLY to responses to 40 Motion to alter or amend judgment filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (DPer, ) (Entered: 03/26/2004)

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59 March 22, 2004

REPLY to response to 46 Motion for preliminary injunction filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (DPer, ) (Entered: 03/30/2004)

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March 23, 2004

Minute Entry -Motion Hearing held on 3/23/2004 re 46 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 39 Motion for Judgment NOV filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated, 40 Motion to Amend/Correct filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated, 41 Motion for Judgment NOV filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated before Honorable Bernard A Friedman. grant in part and deny in part (Court Reporter Nancy Abraham) (CDor, )

60 March 29, 2004

ORDER granting 46 Motion for Preliminary Injunction . Signed by Judge Bernard A Friedman. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/08/2004)

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61 March 29, 2004

ORDER denying 39 Motion for Judgment NOV, denying 40 Motion to Amend denying 41 Motion for Judgment NOV . Signed by Judge Bernard A Friedman. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/08/2004)

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March 29, 2004

ORDER granting 43 Petition(see pleading #61 for image) filed by Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice Signed by Judge Bernard A Friedman. (PPaul, )

63 April 8, 2004

MOTION for finding of more than 101 employees, MOTION for Sanctions, MOTION for Order to Show Cause, exhibits A-F by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/19/2004)

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64 April 12, 2004

MOTION for Protective Order by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/20/2004)

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65 April 12, 2004

TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on 4/2/04 of Statement on the Record. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/20/2004)

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62 April 13, 2004

NOTICE of hearing on emergency motion for protective order, 9filed April 9, 2004). Motion Hearing set for 4/21/2004 02:00 PM before Honorable Bernard A Friedman. (CDor, ) (Entered: 04/13/2004)

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66 April 16, 2004

RESPONSE to 64 Motion for Protective Order filed by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/22/2004)

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67 April 20, 2004

RESPONSE to 63 Motion for finding of more than 101 employees, Motion for Sanctions, Motion for Order to Show Cause filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (PPaul, ) Additional attachment(s) added on 4/23/2004 (PPaul, ). (Entered: 04/23/2004)

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68 April 20, 2004

NOTICE of concurrence by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission re 66 Response to Motion (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/23/2004)

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69 April 21, 2004

STIPULATION AND ORDER concerning attorney fees Signed by Judge Bernard A Friedman. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/26/2004)

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April 21, 2004

Minute Entry -Motion Hearing held on 4/21/2004 re 63 MOTION finding of more than 101 employees MOTION for Sanctions MOTION for Order to Show Cause filed by Janet Reddington, Lisa Bice, 64 MOTION for Protective Order filed by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated before Honorable Bernard A Friedman. grant in part (Court Reporter Joan Morgan) (CDor, )

70 April 23, 2004

ORDER granting 63 Motion for Order to Show Cause . Signed by Judge Bernard A Friedman. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 04/27/2004)

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71 April 27, 2004

BILL OF COSTS by Lisa Bice, Janet Reddington (CMul, ) (Entered: 04/29/2004)

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72 May 10, 2004

OBJECTION to 71 Bill of Costs by RPM Auto Sales, Incorporated. (PPaul, ) (Entered: 05/12/2004)

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73 May 13, 2004

NOTICE TO APPEAR: on hearing on objections to Bill of Costs filed by Defendant RPM(filed 5/10/04) before Judge Bernard A. Friedman on July 14, 2004 @ 2pm(CDor, ) (Entered: 05/13/2004)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Michigan

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: June 10, 2002

Closing Date: Dec. 15, 2003

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Private 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

RPM Auto Sales, Inc.

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State Anti-Discrimination Law

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

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Michigan 2:02-cv-72357

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Amount Defendant Pays: 137000

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit

Recommended Citation