Case: Bonnette v. Rochester Gas & Electric Co.

6:07-cv-06635 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York

Filed Date: Dec. 21, 2007

Closed Date: 2008

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On December 21, 2007, 32 individual African American plaintiffs filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Western District of New York on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated against defendant Rochester Gas & Electric Company alleging a pattern and practice of discrimination based on race. The complaint stated violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and The New York Human Rights Law (15 N.Y. Exec. Law § …

On December 21, 2007, 32 individual African American plaintiffs filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Western District of New York on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated against defendant Rochester Gas & Electric Company alleging a pattern and practice of discrimination based on race. The complaint stated violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and The New York Human Rights Law (15 N.Y. Exec. Law § 291).

On January 24, 2008 the parties reached a settlement agreement which created a $2 million settlement fund for the settlement class of all African American employees at Rochester Gas & Electric Company from May 24, 2002 through October 1, 2006 (150 total members). The class representatives were awarded $15,000 each plus their individual shares for their service to the class. One third of the settlement fund ($660,000) was designated for attorney fees.

The settlement also provdide for injunctive relief including a non-retaliation clause, prohibition against discrimination, and EEO notice and training.

On February 11, 2008 the court (Judge Michael A. Telesca) granted preliminary approval of the settlement and certified the settlement class.

On May 8, 2008 the court (Judge Michael A. Telesca) signed a final order approving the class settlement.

Summary Authors

David Miller (7/2/2010)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12454049/parties/bonnette-v-rochester-gas-electric-co/

Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Bartelli, Jan (New York)

Carson, Shanon J. (Pennsylvania)

Chavers, Clayborne E. (District of Columbia)

Gerstein, Bruce E. (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Burkhardt, Michael S. (Pennsylvania)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

6:07-cv-06635

Docket

Oct. 28, 2008

Oct. 28, 2008

Docket
1

6:07-cv-06635

Complaint

Dec. 21, 2007

Dec. 21, 2007

Complaint
3-3

6:07-cv-06635

Settlement Agreement

Jan. 24, 2008

Jan. 24, 2008

Settlement Agreement
6

6:07-cv-06635

Preliminary Approval of Settlement Agreement

Feb. 11, 2008

Feb. 11, 2008

Order/Opinion
10

6:07-cv-06635

Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal

May 8, 2008

May 8, 2008

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12454049/bonnette-v-rochester-gas-electric-co/

Last updated July 22, 2026, 5:20 a.m.

Docket for: Bonnette v. Rochester Gas & Electric Co.
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Dec. 21, 2007

COMPLAINT against Rochester Gas & Electric Co. (Filing fee $350 receipt number ROC001455), filed by Dolores Prad, Toney Proctor, Willie Sanders, Lolita Smith, Brett Stevenson, Everlene Thompson, Donna Cox, Ophelia Tisdale, Richard Walford, Wanda Webb, Patricia White, Robert Williams, Bonnie Wright, M. Diane Dixon, Odessa Dixon, Robert Ellis, Ebon Bonnette, Michael Foster, Jerel Griffin, Mark Hale, Jean Howard, Bertha Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Johnny Kegler, Mary Lalor-Timmons, Marcia Lane, Khalid Boston, Robert Lane, Gail Marshall-Johnson, Thomas Moore, Delray Morgan.(JHF, ) (Entered: 12/27/2007)

RECAP
Dec. 21, 2007

Summons Issued as to Rochester Gas & Electric Co.(JHF)

2 Jan. 24, 2008

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Dolores Prad, Toney Proctor, Willie Sanders, Lolita Smith, Brett Stevenson, Everlene Thompson, Donna Cox, Ophelia Tisdale, Richard Walford, Wanda Webb, Patricia White, Robert Williams, Bonnie Wright, M. Diane Dixon, Odessa Dixon, Robert Ellis, Ebon Bonnette, Michael Foster, Jerel Griffin, Mark Hale, Jean Howard, Bertha Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Johnny Kegler, Mary Lalor-Timmons, Marcia Lane, Khalid Boston, Robert Lane, Gail Marshall-Johnson, Thomas Moore, Delray Morgan. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Jan Bartelli# 2 Declaration of Shanon Carson# 3 Text of Proposed Order)(Bartelli, Jan) (Entered: 01/24/2008)

RECAP
3 Jan. 24, 2008

MOTION for Settlement PLAINTIFFS MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT by Dolores Prad, Toney Proctor, Willie Sanders, Lolita Smith, Brett Stevenson, Everlene Thompson, Donna Cox, Ophelia Tisdale, Richard Walford, Wanda Webb, Patricia White, Robert Williams, Bonnie Wright, M. Diane Dixon, Odessa Dixon, Robert Ellis, Ebon Bonnette, Michael Foster, Jerel Griffin, Mark Hale, Jean Howard, Bertha Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Johnny Kegler, Mary Lalor-Timmons, Marcia Lane, Khalid Boston, Robert Lane, Gail Marshall-Johnson, Thomas Moore, Delray Morgan. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT# 2 Exhibit 1# 3 Exhibit 2# 4 Exhibit 3# 5 Text of Proposed Order)(Bartelli, Jan) (Entered: 01/24/2008)

2 Memorandum in Support OF PLAINTIFFS MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF THE SETTL

View on PACER

3 Exhibit 1

View on PACER

4 Exhibit 2

View on PACER

5 Exhibit 3

View on PACER

6 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

RECAP
4 Jan. 25, 2008

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael S. Burkhardt on behalf of all defendants (Burkhardt, Michael) (Entered: 01/25/2008)

RECAP
5 Jan. 31, 2008

ORDER granting 2 Motion for Leave to Appear to Shanon J. Carson, Esq. Signed by Judge Michael A. Telesca on January 31, 2008. (MS) (Entered: 01/31/2008)

RECAP
6 Feb. 11, 2008

ORDER granting 3 Motion for Preliminary Approval of Settlement. Fairness Hearing scheduled for 5/7/2008 at 10:00 AM. Signed by Judge Michael A. Telesca on February 11, 2008. (MS) (Entered: 02/11/2008)

RECAP
Feb. 11, 2008

Set/Reset Hearings: Fairness Hearing set for 5/7/2008 10:00 AM in Courtroom 1 before Hon. Michael A. Telesca. (MS)

7 April 11, 2008

MOTION for Settlement Motion for Final Approval of the Settlement Agreement by Dolores Prad, Toney Proctor, Willie Sanders, Lolita Smith, Brett Stevenson, Everlene Thompson, Donna Cox, Ophelia Tisdale, Richard Walford, Wanda Webb, Patricia White, Robert Williams, Bonnie Wright, M. Diane Dixon, Odessa Dixon, Robert Ellis, Ebon Bonnette, Michael Foster, Jerel Griffin, Mark Hale, Jean Howard, Bertha Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Johnny Kegler, Mary Lalor-Timmons, Marcia Lane, Khalid Boston, Robert Lane, Gail Marshall-Johnson, Thomas Moore, Delray Morgan. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2)(Carson, Shanon) (Entered: 04/11/2008)

2 Memorandum in Support

View on PACER

3 Exhibit 1

View on PACER

4 Exhibit 2

View on PACER

RECAP
8 April 11, 2008

MOTION for Attorney Fees Plaintiffs' Counsel's Motion for an Award of Attorneys' Fees and Expenses by Dolores Prad, Toney Proctor, Willie Sanders, Lolita Smith, Brett Stevenson, Everlene Thompson, Donna Cox, Ophelia Tisdale, Richard Walford, Wanda Webb, Patricia White, Robert Williams, Bonnie Wright, M. Diane Dixon, Odessa Dixon, Robert Ellis, Ebon Bonnette, Michael Foster, Jerel Griffin, Mark Hale, Jean Howard, Bertha Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Johnny Kegler, Mary Lalor-Timmons, Marcia Lane, Khalid Boston, Robert Lane, Gail Marshall-Johnson, Thomas Moore, Delray Morgan. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit 1, # 3 Exhibit 2, # 4 Exhibit 3, # 5 Exhibit 4)(Carson, Shanon) (Entered: 04/11/2008)

RECAP
April 14, 2008

NOTICE: Set/Reset Deadlines as to 7 MOTION for Settlement Motion for Final Approval of the Settlement Agreement, 8 MOTION for Attorney Fees Plaintiffs' Counsel's Motion for an Award of Attorneys' Fees and Expenses. Motion Hearing set for 5/7/2008 10:00 AM before Hon. Michael A. Telesca. (MS)

9 May 8, 2008

AFFIDAVIT of Edward J. Sincavage, CPA Regarding Claims Administration by Dolores Prad, Toney Proctor, Willie Sanders, Lolita Smith, Brett Stevenson, Everlene Thompson, Donna Cox, Ophelia Tisdale, Richard Walford, Wanda Webb, Patricia White, Robert Williams, Bonnie Wright, M. Diane Dixon, Odessa Dixon, Robert Ellis, Ebon Bonnette, Michael Foster, Jerel Griffin, Mark Hale, Jean Howard, Bertha Johnson, Ellen Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Johnny Kegler, Mary Lalor-Timmons, Marcia Lane, Khalid Boston, Robert Lane, Gail Marshall-Johnson, Thomas Moore, Delray Morgan. (Carson, Shanon) (Entered: 05/08/2008)

RECAP
10 May 8, 2008

Final Judgment Order of Dismissal with Prejudice granting 7 Motion for Settlement and 8 Motion for Attorney Fees. Signed by Hon. Michael A. Telesca on May 7, 2008.(Herrero-Jaarsma, Maria) (Entered: 05/08/2008)

RECAP
11 Oct. 20, 2008

NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings (Fairness Hearing) held on 5/7/08, before Judge Michael A. Telesca. Court Reporter/Transcriber Karen J. Bush, Telephone number 585-613-4312. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 11/10/2008. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 11/20/2008. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/20/2009. (JHF) (Entered: 10/20/2008)

RECAP
Jan. 18, 2022

File is archived at the Federal Records Center. Location information: Accession 021-11-1067 Box 38 To obtain copies of documents for a fee, you may contact the Federal Records Center directly at their website: http://www.archives.gov/frc/. They will require the location information contained in this entry. You may also contact the Clerks office to have the file shipped to the Court for your review or for copies of documents. Please refer to the current fee schedule to determine the cost to obtain documents or order the file for review. The fee schedule is located on our Public Web Site: http://www.nywd.uscourts.gov/fee-schedule. (CR)

Case Details

State / Territory:

New York

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Private Employment Class Actions

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 21, 2007

Closing Date: 2008

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

32 named plaintiffs representing a class of African American employees employed from May 5, 2002 to October 1, 2006 who were subjected to unlawful discrimination based on their race

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Granted

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Rochester Gas & Electric Co.

Defendant Type(s):

Sanitation/Public Works

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1981

State Anti-Discrimination Law

State law

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

Other Dockets:

Western District of New York 6:07-cv-06635

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

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

Retaliation Prohibition

Amount Defendant Pays: $2 million

Issues

General/Misc.:

Pattern or Practice

Discrimination Area:

Conditions of Employment (including assignment, transfer, hours, working conditions, etc.)

Demotion

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discipline

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Hiring

Promotion

Discrimination Basis:

Race discrimination

Affected Race(s):

Black

Recommended Citation