Filed Date: July 11, 2003
Closed Date: 2005
Clearinghouse coding complete
On July 11, 2003, the United States Department of Justice ("D.O.J.") filed a lawsuit under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e, et seq. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana against Town of West Terre Haute (the "Town"). The D.O.J. alleged that the defendant had violated Title VII by sexually harassing a female employee, resulting in a hostile work environment and her constructive discharge. The D.O.J asked the court to award compensatory damages for the individual employee and to require the defendant to implement an anti-discrimination program.
The complaint alleges that the Town sexually harassed the defendant by: (1) making crude comments about her breasts, body and weight; (2) repeatedly suggesting that she was having sexual relations with her co-workers; (3) making threatening remarks; (4) creating, maintaining, and condoning sexual harassment and a sexually hostile work environment in the West Terre Haute Police Department; and (5) failing or refusing to promptly and effectively investigate, remedy or prevent the above conduct.
A consent decree was entered and the case dismissed on March 9, 2004. The consent decree stated: (1) the Town shall not engage in any act or practice that discriminates against any employee or applicant for employment because of that employee's or applicant's sex; (2) the Town shall not retaliate against any person that has opposed any practice made unlawful by Title VII; (3) the Town shall submit a proposed written policy governing sexual harassment for the police department; (4) the Town shall adopt, implement, and publicize the agreed upon policy; and (5) the Town shall pay the individual employee compensatory damages. The court retained jurisdiction for twelve months following entry on decree.
This case is closed.
Summary Authors
Erin Forman (11/12/2007)
Hussmann, William G. Jr. (Indiana)
Tinder, John Daniel (Indiana)
Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)
Ashcroft, John (District of Columbia)
Bailey, Sue Hendricks (Indiana)
Blustein, Benjamin Jay (District of Columbia)
Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Brooks, Susan W. (Indiana)
Gadzichowski, John M. (District of Columbia)
Lewenberg, Sara Rachel (District of Columbia)
Hussmann, William G. Jr. (Indiana)
Tinder, John Daniel (Indiana)
Acosta, R. Alexander (District of Columbia)
Ashcroft, John (District of Columbia)
Bailey, Sue Hendricks (Indiana)
Blustein, Benjamin Jay (District of Columbia)
Boyd, Ralph F. Jr. (District of Columbia)
Brooks, Susan W. (Indiana)
Gadzichowski, John M. (District of Columbia)
Lewenberg, Sara Rachel (District of Columbia)
Rocque, Amanda (District of Columbia)
Dilts, Jeremy Michael (Indiana)
Liptak, Edward J. (Indiana)
Last updated May 12, 2022, 8 p.m.
State / Territory: Indiana
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 11, 2003
Closing Date: 2005
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
United States of America
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Town of West Terre Haute (West Terre Haute, Vigo), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Availably Documents:
Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Mixed
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree
Amount Defendant Pays: 43000
Order Duration: 2004 - 2005
Content of Injunction:
Develop anti-discrimination policy
Issues
General:
Discrimination-area:
Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff
Harassment / Hostile Work Environment
Discrimination-basis:
Affected Gender: