Case: EEOC v. Northwest Savings Bank

1:07-cv-01298 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: July 17, 2007

Closed Date: 2008

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Case Summary

On July 17, 2007, the EEOC brought a claim in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 on behalf of an aggrieved female employee. The EEOC alleged that Defendants, Northwest Savings Bank and Northwest Bancorp., Inc. ("Northwest"), engaged in unlawful employment practices that discriminated on the basis of sex; this included creating a hostile work environment, as well as …

Specifically, the complaint claimed that the employee was subjected to sexual harassment through constant sexually offensive comments, innuendo and inappropriate touching from Northwest's general manager. No remedial action was taken even after the employee's complaints. These complaints allegedly resulted in the employee's transfer, though it was to a location requiring more travel time. Further, the EEOC claims the employee was subject to retaliation at the new location, as the District Manager there disclosed and trivialized the intimate details of the transfer to other employees.

On August 23, 2007, the District Court (Judge Christopher C. Conner) granted the employee's motion to intervene as plaintiff, for there is a statutory right of aggrieved individuals represented by the EEOC to do so.

The District Court (Judge Conner) then dismissed the claims and approved a settlement between the parties under a consent decree on June 26, 2008. First, the decree generally enjoined Northwest from further violations of Title VII. Northwest also agreed to pay the aggrieved employee a total sum of $125,000. The decree further required Northwest to post a notice of the decree in all of their branches and distribute a policy against discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to their employees. Additionally, the decree set out a training and disciplinary program for all supervisors regarding discrimination issues. The consent decree was to remain in effect for a period of 2 years.

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Summary Authors

Adam Teitelbaum (3/21/2010)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4770418/parties/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-northwest-savings-bank/

Judge(s)

Ackerman, Robert M. (Pennsylvania)

Conner, Christopher C. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cook, Terrence R. (Pennsylvania)

Cooper, Ronald S. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Burns, Michael J. (Pennsylvania)

Judge(s)

Ackerman, Robert M. (Pennsylvania)

Conner, Christopher C. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Cook, Terrence R. (Pennsylvania)

Cooper, Ronald S. (District of Columbia)

Lee, James L. (District of Columbia)

Marino, Stephanie (Pennsylvania)

McNair, Jacqueline H. (Pennsylvania)

Reams, Gwendolyn Young (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Devlin, Neal R. (Pennsylvania)

Klemensic, Francis J. (Pennsylvania)

Lanzillo, Richard A. (Pennsylvania)

Shapiro, Nina B. (Pennsylvania)

Other

Burns, Michael J. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1:07-cv-01298	Civil Docket [PACER]	June 26, 2008	June 26, 2008 Docket
1 1:07-cv-01298	Complaint	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007 Complaint
13 1:07-cv-01298	Order (granting motion to intervene as plaintiff) EEOC v. NORTHWEST SAVINGS BANK	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007 Order/Opinion
32 1:07-cv-01298	Consent Decree	June 28, 2008	June 28, 2008 Settlement Agreement

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4770418/equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-northwest-savings-bank/

Last updated June 1, 2026, 7:47 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Northwest Savings Bank, Northwest Bancorp., Inc., filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(dfm ) (Entered: 07/17/2007)	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007 RECAP
	SPECIAL ADMISSION FORM SENT to Stephanie Marino. (dfm ) (Entered: 07/17/2007)	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007
	SPECIAL ADMISSION FORM SENT to Terrence Cook. (dfm ) (Entered: 07/17/2007)	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007
	Summons Issued as to Northwest Savings Bank, Northwest Bancorp., Inc. and provided to Attorney for service on Defendant(s). (dfm ) (Entered: 07/17/2007)	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007
	SPECIAL ADMISSION FORM SENT to Stephanie Marino. (dfm )	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007
	SPECIAL ADMISSION FORM SENT to Terrence Cook. (dfm )	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007
	Summons Issued as to Northwest Savings Bank, Northwest Bancorp., Inc. and provided to Attorney for service on Defendant(s). (dfm )	July 17, 2007	July 17, 2007
2	PETITION FOR SPECIAL ADMISSION (PRO HAC VICE) by Stephanie Marino on behalf of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Attorney Stephanie Marino is seeking special admission. Filing fee $ 25. (Attachments: # 1 Code of Professional Conduct# 2 Letters to Court regarding Special Admission)(Marino, Stephanie) (Entered: 07/23/2007)	July 23, 2007	July 23, 2007
3	ORDER - Letter to Counsel from Court Re: Case Assignment and Procedures. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 07/24/07. (ki) (Entered: 07/24/2007)	July 24, 2007	July 24, 2007
4	SPECIAL ADMISSIONS FORM APPROVED as to Stephanie Marino,Esquire. (cc: Atty Marino; Orig: SCR Registry) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 07/30/07. (ki) (Entered: 07/31/2007)	July 30, 2007	July 30, 2007
5	AFFIDAVIT of Service for Complaints and Summons for Defendants, Northwest Savings Bank and Northwest Bancorp, Inc., served on Carol Dunbar on 07/26/2007, filed by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Marino, Stephanie) (Entered: 08/09/2007)	Aug. 9, 2007	Aug. 9, 2007
6	PETITION FOR SPECIAL ADMISSION (PRO HAC VICE) by Francis J. Klemensic on behalf of all defendants Attorney Richard Lanzillo is seeking special admission. Filing fee $ 25, receipt number 1091848.. (Klemensic, Francis) (Entered: 08/15/2007)	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
7	PETITION FOR SPECIAL ADMISSION (PRO HAC VICE) by Francis J. Klemensic on behalf of all defendants Attorney Neal Devlin is seeking special admission. Filing fee $ 25, receipt number 1091858.. (Klemensic, Francis) (Entered: 08/15/2007)	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
8	SCHEDULING ORDER: Initial Case Management Conference set for 9/18/2007 @ 09:40 AM; placement of the telephone conference call is the responsibility of the plaintiff. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 08/15/07. (ki) (Entered: 08/15/2007)	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
9	SPECIAL ADMISSIONS FORM APPROVED as to Richard A. Lanzillo, Esquire. (cc: Atty Lanzillo; Orig: SCR Registry) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 08/15/07. (ki) (Entered: 08/15/2007)	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
10	SPECIAL ADMISSIONS FORM APPROVED as to Neal R. Devlin, Esquire. (cc: Atty Devlin; Orig: SCR Registry) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 08/15/07. (ki) (Entered: 08/15/2007)	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
11	ANSWER to Complaint by Northwest Savings Bank, Northwest Bancorp., Inc..(Devlin, Neal) (Entered: 08/15/2007)	Aug. 15, 2007	Aug. 15, 2007
12	MOTION to Intervene as party plaintiff filed by Elizabeth Strause. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit(s) proposed Complaint of Plaintiff Intervenor Elizabeth Strause# 2 Proposed Order proposed order to intervene# 3 certificate of service motion to intervene with proposed complaint)(Shapiro, Nina) (Entered: 08/22/2007)	Aug. 22, 2007	Aug. 22, 2007
13	ORDER granting motion for leave to intervene 12 & directing Clrk of Ct to file proposed doc as intervening complaint, amend docket & issue summons. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 08/23/07. (ki)	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007 RECAP
14	Intervenor COMPLAINT filed by Elizabeth Strause on 8/23/07.(ki)// Modified on 8/23/2007 to replace wrong doc w/ proper doc (ki). (Entered: 08/23/2007)	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007
	Summons Issued as to intervenor defts Northwest Savings Bank and Northwest Bancorp., Inc., and provided to Attorney Shapiro for service.(ki) (Entered: 08/23/2007)	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007
	DOCKET ANNOTATION − Docket entry for intervenor complaint 14 modified to replace erroneously scanned doc w/ correct doc. (ki) (Entered: 08/23/2007)	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007
	Summons Issued as to intervenor defts Northwest Savings Bank and Northwest Bancorp., Inc., and provided to Attorney Shapiro for service.(ki)	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007
	DOCKET ANNOTATION - Docket entry for intervenor complaint 14 modified to replace erroneously scanned doc w/ correct doc. (ki)	Aug. 23, 2007	Aug. 23, 2007
16	PETITION FOR SPECIAL ADMISSION (PRO HAC VICE) by Terrence R. Cook, Esquire on behalf of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Attorney Terrence R. Cook is seeking special admission. (Attachments: # 1 Code of Conduct)(dfm ) (Entered: 09/13/2007)	Sept. 10, 2007	Sept. 10, 2007
15	CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN filed jointly with all parties by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (Marino, Stephanie) (Entered: 09/11/2007)	Sept. 11, 2007	Sept. 11, 2007
17	ORDER directing all non-governmental corporate parties in case to file corporate disclosure stmts w/in 10 days of the date of this order. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 09/13/07. (ki) (Entered: 09/13/2007)	Sept. 13, 2007	Sept. 13, 2007
18	SPECIAL ADMISSIONS FORM APPROVED as to Terrence R. Cook, Esquire. (Orig: SCR Registry) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 09/14/07. (ki) (Entered: 09/14/2007)	Sept. 14, 2007	Sept. 14, 2007
20	DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO FRCP 7.1 (CIVIL ACTION). (Lanzillo, Richard) (Entered: 09/18/2007)	Sept. 18, 2007	Sept. 18, 2007
21	CASE MANAGEMENT ORDER (STANDARD TRACK) - Sets forth case management instructions, guidelines & pretrial/trial schedule, inc. - Discovery due by 3/18/2008; Jury Selection & Jury Trial set to commence on 10/6/2008 @ 09:30 AM in Harrisburg - Courtroom #2 before Honorable Christopher C. Conner; Dispositive Motions due by 4/3/2008; Pretrial Memos due by noon on 9/10/2008; Pretrial Conference set for 9/17/2008 @ 10:00 AM in Harrisburg - Courtroom #2. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 09/18/07. (ki) (Entered: 09/18/2007)	Sept. 18, 2007	Sept. 18, 2007
22	ORDER permitting the parties 90 days for limited discovery, until 12/17/07, prior to issuance of mediation referral order. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 09/18/07. (ki) (Entered: 09/18/2007)	Sept. 18, 2007	Sept. 18, 2007
23	ANSWER to Intervenor Complaint by Northwest Savings Bank, Northwest Bancorp., Inc..(Lanzillo, Richard) (Entered: 09/18/2007)	Sept. 18, 2007	Sept. 18, 2007
24	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Mediation & Appointing Stephen L. Grose, Esquire, Mediator. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Judge Christopher C. Conner on 12/17/07. (ki) (Entered: 12/17/2007)	Dec. 17, 2007	Dec. 17, 2007
25	ORDER withdrawing referral to mediation w/ Atty Stephen L. Grose. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Honorable Christopher C. Conner on 01/07/08. (ki) (Entered: 01/07/2008)	Jan. 7, 2008	Jan. 7, 2008
26	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Mediation & Appointing Robert M. Ackerman, Esquire, as Mediator. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Honorable Christopher C. Conner on 01/07/08. (ki) (Entered: 01/07/2008)	Jan. 7, 2008	Jan. 7, 2008
27	ORDER withdrawing referral to mediation with Attorney Ackerman. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Honorable Christopher C. Conner on 01/23/08. (ki) (Entered: 01/23/2008)	Jan. 23, 2008	Jan. 23, 2008
28	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Mediation & Appointing Michael J. Burns, Esq., as Mediator & STAYING pretrial/trials schedule. (See order for complete details.)Signed by Honorable Christopher C. Conner on 01/24/08. (ki) (Entered: 01/24/2008)	Jan. 24, 2008	Jan. 24, 2008
29	REPORT OF MEDIATOR (Settlement Reached). Mediator Michael J. Burns terminated.(joeb) (Entered: 06/25/2008)	June 25, 2008	June 25, 2008
30	ORDER DISMISSING CASE without costs and without prejudice to the right of either party, upon good cause shown within sixty (60) days, to reinstate the action if settlement is not consummated. (See order for complete details.) Signed by Honorable Christopher C. Conner on 06/25/08. (ki) (Entered: 06/25/2008)	June 25, 2008	June 25, 2008
31	Consent Decree executed by the parties and requesting approval by the Court. (Marino, Stephanie) (Entered: 06/26/2008)	June 26, 2008	June 26, 2008
32	APPROVED CONSENT DECREE re: proposed consent decree 31 . (See doc for complete details.) Signed by Honorable Christopher C. Conner on 06/26/08. (ki) (Entered: 06/26/2008)	June 26, 2008	June 26, 2008

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 17, 2007

Closing Date: 2008

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

EEOC on behalf of female employee claiming hostile work environment based on sex and retaliation.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

NDRN/Protection & Advocacy Organizations

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Northwest Bancorp, Inc.

Northwest Savings Bank

Defendant Type(s):

Corrections

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Middle District of Pennsylvania 1:07-cv-01298

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:

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Discrimination Prohibition

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Amount Defendant Pays: $125,000

Order Duration: 2008 - 2010

Issues

General/Misc.:

Retaliation

Disability and Disability Rights:

Mental impairment

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

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of EEOC v. Northwest Savings Bank, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/11411/ (last updated 3/21/2010).