Case: United States v. Baltimore County

1:19-cv-02465 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Aug. 27, 2019

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On August 27, 2019, the United States filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (in Baltimore). The federal government sued Baltimore County for injunctive relief for employment dicrimination, alleging violations by the County Police Department of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-6(a), in its recruitment and hiring practices. Specifically, the federal government alleged that the Baltimore County Office of Human Resources and Baltimore…

Specifically, the federal government alleged that the Baltimore County Office of Human Resources and Baltimore County Police Department developed and issued a series of discriminatory written exams to screen entry-level police officer applicants. Three different variations of the exam were used from 2009–2013, 2014, and 2015–2016. All three variations resulted in statistically lower pass rates for African American applicants compared to the pass rates for white applicants. The exams allegedly used as a pass/fail screening device in a multi-stage application in which those who failed were not permitted to move on to subsequent stages of the application process. The Department of Justice alleged that the material tested on the exams was not job-related consistent with business necessity and did not otherwise meet the requirements of Section 703(k) of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(k). DOJ further alleged that as a result of these exams, BCPD has hired fewer African American applicants as BCPD entry-level police officers and police cadets since January 1, 2013, than it would have had it used a nondiscriminatory screening device.

The government sought injunctive relief requiring that the defendant:

1. Refrain from using written exams to screen applicants that result in a disparate impact on African Americans where such exams are not consistent with business necessity and do not otherwise meet the requirements of Section 703(k) of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(k);

2. Provide remedial relief to and make whole all persons who have suffered individual loss as a result of the discrimination alleged; and

3. Adopt other appropriate nondiscriminatory measures to correct the present effects of its discriminatory policies and practices.

The parties were referred to Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite on August 27, 2019; it was reassigned in early September to District Judge Catherine C. Blake. Shortly after entering discovery, the parties began negotiating a settlement agreement. Following a year of telephone conferences (between the parties)and hearing resets, the parties agreed to a settlement. On May 19, 2021, Judge Blake entered an order granting the parties' joint motion to finalize the settlement agreement.

The amended settlement includes the following:

(1) Enjoining the County from using the challenged exams and requiring the County to develop a new schematic which would not lead to a disparate impact against African American applicants (unless the impact is job-related and consistent with business necessity)

(2) Individual relief in the form of back pay for certain affected applicants who had been denied under the old policy, and priority hiring relief for up to twenty of those applicants in certain circumstances.

(3) Procedures and timelines for implementing the above.

The settlement agreement allowed the court to appoint an officer to monitor compliance with the settlement. Once the federal government and the county agree that everything in paragraphs 33-47 has been done, the case will remain open for approximately 90 days to give the federal government an opportunity to object to the rule change selected by the county. Based on the scope of the settlement, it seems likely that this will be at least a couple of years. The settlement has been entered as final by the court and all objections to the agreement were overruled in May 2021. So the case remains open for implementation.

show full summary

Summary Authors

Kevin Longhany (9/26/2019)

John Duffield (6/29/2021)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16116680/parties/united-states-v-baltimore-county-maryland/

Judge(s)

Blake, Catherine C. (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Baluch, Ejaz Hussain Jr. (Maryland)

Bloom, Shayna (Maryland)

Burrell, Meredith (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Benjamin, James R (Maryland)

Judge(s)

Blake, Catherine C. (Maryland)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Baluch, Ejaz Hussain Jr. (Maryland)

Bloom, Shayna (Maryland)

Burrell, Meredith (District of Columbia)

Dreiband, Eric S. (District of Columbia)

Fox, Amber Trzinski (Maryland)

Kennebrew, Delora L. (District of Columbia)

Lawrence, Kathleen O. (District of Columbia)

Salazar, Kunti D. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Benjamin, James R (Maryland)

Field, Michael E. (Maryland)

Gaskins, Gregory E. (Maryland)

Marrow, Glenn Todd (Maryland)

Raimondi, Michael George (Maryland)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1:19-cv-02465	Docket	July 11, 2021	July 11, 2021 Docket
1 1:19-cv-02465	Complaint	Aug. 27, 2019	Aug. 27, 2019 Complaint
37-3 1:19-cv-02465	Settlement Agreement	Nov. 4, 2020	Nov. 4, 2020 Settlement Agreement
45 1:19-cv-02465	Memorandum	May 19, 2021	May 19, 2021 Order/Opinion 2021 WL 2000480

show / hide documents

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16116680/united-states-v-baltimore-county-maryland/

Last updated March 22, 2025, 12:10 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Baltimore County, Maryland, filed by United States of America. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Summons)(Salazar, Kunti) (Entered: 08/27/2019) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 2 Summons View on PACER	Aug. 27, 2019	Aug. 27, 2019 RECAP
2	Summons Issued 21 days as to Baltimore County, Maryland.(dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/27/2019)	Aug. 27, 2019	Aug. 27, 2019
3	NOTICE of Case Assignment. This case has been assigned to Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite. United States of America or counsel for United States of America are required to review and comply with the Magistrate Judge Pilot Project Procedures which can be downloaded here. Pursuant to Standing Order 2018-04, which can be downloaded here, counsel has 14 days from the date of this notice to file their consent, or decline to consent to proceed before a U.S. Magistrate Judge which can be downloaded here. To file your consent, go to Civil > Other Filings > Other Documents > 25 Pct Mag - Consent to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge. To file your declination, go to Civil > Other Filings > Other Documents > 25 Pct Mag - Decline to Proceed Before a Magistrate Judge. Failure to file a consent or declination will result in issuance of an Order to Show Cause. Please review the case management order that has been issued in this case. Magistrate Election Form due by 9/10/2019. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/27/2019)	Aug. 27, 2019	Aug. 27, 2019
4	Case Management Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite on 8/27/2019. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/27/2019)	Aug. 27, 2019	Aug. 27, 2019 RECAP
5	NOTICE of Appearance by Kunti D Salazar on behalf of United States of America (Salazar, Kunti) (Entered: 08/29/2019)	Aug. 29, 2019	Aug. 29, 2019
6	NOTICE of Appearance by Kathleen O'Malley Lawrence on behalf of United States of America (Lawrence, Kathleen) (Entered: 08/29/2019)	Aug. 29, 2019	Aug. 29, 2019
7	NOTICE of Appearance by Meredith L Burrell on behalf of United States of America (Burrell, Meredith) (Entered: 08/29/2019)	Aug. 29, 2019	Aug. 29, 2019
	Case reassigned to Judge Catherine C. Blake. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite no longer assigned to the case. (cags, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/10/2019)	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019
	Case reassigned to Judge Catherine C. Blake. Magistrate Judge A. David Copperthite no longer assigned to the case. (cags, Deputy Clerk)	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019
	Case Assigned/Reassigned	Sept. 10, 2019	Sept. 10, 2019
11	SUMMONS Returned Executed by United States of America. Baltimore County, Maryland served on 9/3/2019, answer due 9/24/2019. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit of Kunti D. Salazar, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Salazar, Kunti) (Entered: 09/12/2019)	Sept. 12, 2019	Sept. 12, 2019
12	Local Rule 103.3 Disclosure Statement by Baltimore County, Maryland (Field, Michael) (Entered: 09/17/2019)	Sept. 17, 2019	Sept. 17, 2019
13	ANSWER to 1 Complaint by Baltimore County, Maryland.(Field, Michael) (Entered: 09/17/2019)	Sept. 17, 2019	Sept. 17, 2019
	Telephone Conference held on 9/19/2019 before Judge Catherine C. Blake. (kams, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/26/2019)	Sept. 19, 2019	Sept. 19, 2019
	Telephone Conference held on 9/19/2019 before Judge Catherine C. Blake. (kams, Deputy Clerk)	Sept. 19, 2019	Sept. 19, 2019
	Telephone Conference	Sept. 19, 2019	Sept. 19, 2019
14	ORDER confirming results of telephone conference re Referral for mediation with a Magistrate Judge, limited written discovery, and deadline for filing a proposed schedule for full discovery. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 9/20/2019. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/20/2019)	Sept. 20, 2019	Sept. 20, 2019
15	ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge Susan K. Gauvey for Mediation. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 9/25/2019. (hmls, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 09/25/2019)	Sept. 25, 2019	Sept. 25, 2019
16	ORDER Scheduling Settlement Conference. Signed by Magistrate Judge Susan K. Gauvey on 10/1/2019. (krs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/01/2019)	Oct. 1, 2019	Oct. 1, 2019
17	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael George Raimondi on behalf of Baltimore County, Maryland (Raimondi, Michael) (Entered: 10/30/2019)	Oct. 30, 2019	Oct. 30, 2019
18	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to submit a discovery plan by Baltimore County, Maryland (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Raimondi, Michael) (Entered: 10/30/2019)	Oct. 30, 2019	Oct. 30, 2019
19	ORDER granting 18 Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to submit a discovery plan. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 10/31/2019. (kw2s, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 10/31/2019)	Oct. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
	Telephone Conference re Settlment held on 11/13/2019 before Magistrate Judge Susan K. Gauvey. (dass, Deputy Clerk)	Nov. 13, 2019	Nov. 13, 2019
	Telephone Conference	Nov. 13, 2019	Nov. 13, 2019
20	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael George Raimondi on behalf of Baltimore County, Maryland (Raimondi, Michael) (Entered: 11/20/2019)	Nov. 20, 2019	Nov. 20, 2019
21	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to Submit the Proposed Schedule for Full Discovery by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Lawrence, Kathleen) (Entered: 11/20/2019)	Nov. 20, 2019	Nov. 20, 2019
22	ORDER granting 21 Joint Motion to postpone submission of the proposed schedule for full Discovery. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 11/20/2019. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 11/21/2019)	Nov. 21, 2019	Nov. 21, 2019
23	NOTICE of Appearance by Ejaz Hussain Baluch, Jr on behalf of United States of America (Baluch, Ejaz) (Entered: 12/13/2019)	Dec. 13, 2019	Dec. 13, 2019
24	Joint MOTION for Extension of Time to File Proposed Schedule for Full Discovery by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Baluch, Ejaz) (Entered: 01/06/2020)	Jan. 6, 2020	Jan. 6, 2020
25	ORDER granting 24 Joint Motion to Postpone Submission of the Proposed Schedule for Full Discovery. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 1/7/2020. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 01/07/2020)	Jan. 7, 2020	Jan. 7, 2020
26	NOTICE by United States of America of Withdrawal of Counsel Kunti Salazar (Salazar, Kunti) (Entered: 02/18/2020)	Feb. 18, 2020	Feb. 18, 2020
27	NOTICE of Appearance by Shayna Bloom on behalf of United States of America (Bloom, Shayna) (Entered: 02/20/2020)	Feb. 20, 2020	Feb. 20, 2020
28	Motion for Extension of Time to File	Feb. 20, 2020	Feb. 20, 2020
29	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Document	Feb. 21, 2020	Feb. 21, 2020
30	Motion for Extension of Time	July 2, 2020	July 2, 2020
31	Order on Motion for Extension of Time	July 7, 2020	July 7, 2020
32	Notice (Other)	Sept. 1, 2020	Sept. 1, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Sept. 3, 2020	Sept. 3, 2020
33	Order	Sept. 3, 2020	Sept. 3, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Sept. 8, 2020	Sept. 8, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Sept. 15, 2020	Sept. 15, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Sept. 28, 2020	Sept. 28, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Sept. 30, 2020	Sept. 30, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Oct. 1, 2020	Oct. 1, 2020
34	Notice of Appearance	Oct. 1, 2020	Oct. 1, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Oct. 5, 2020	Oct. 5, 2020
35	Motion for Extension of Time	Oct. 14, 2020	Oct. 14, 2020
36	Order on Motion for Extension of Time	Oct. 15, 2020	Oct. 15, 2020
37	Motion for Settlement	Nov. 4, 2020	Nov. 4, 2020
	Telephone Conference	Nov. 10, 2020	Nov. 10, 2020
38	Order on Motion for Settlement	Nov. 18, 2020	Nov. 18, 2020
39	Miscellaneous Correspondence	Jan. 5, 2021	Jan. 5, 2021
40	Status Report	Feb. 26, 2021	Feb. 26, 2021
45	MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 5/19/2021. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/19/2021)	May 19, 2021	May 19, 2021 RECAP
46	ORDER re 42 Settlement Agreement filed by United States of America; granting Joint Motion to enter the Amended Settlement Agreement as Final. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 5/19/2021. (Attachment(s) added: # 1 ORDER) (dass, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 05/19/2021)	May 19, 2021	May 19, 2021
47	(FILED IN ERROR per chambers) AMENDED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. (dass, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 5/24/2021 (dass, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 05/20/2021)	May 19, 2021	May 19, 2021
48	AMENDED SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT so Ordered. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 5/24/21. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 05/24/2021)	May 24, 2021	May 24, 2021
49	[FILED IN ERROR] NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on 4/6/2021, before Judge Catherine C. Blake. Court Reporter Christine T. Asif, Telephone number 410-962-4492. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained from the Court Reporter or through PACER. Redaction Request due 6/17/2021. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 6/28/2021. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 8/25/2021.(ca, Court Reporter) Modified on 6/16/2021 (kns, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 05/27/2021)	May 27, 2021	May 27, 2021
50	NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings held on 4/6/2021, before Judge Catherine C. Blake. Court Reporter Christine T. Asif, Telephone number 410-962-4492. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained from the Court Reporter or through PACER. Redaction Request due 7/7/2021. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 7/19/2021. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 9/14/2021.(ca, Court Reporter) (Entered: 06/16/2021)	June 16, 2021	June 16, 2021
51	Consent MOTION for Settlement and to Schedule a Fairness Hearing on Individual Relief by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Exhibit Third Amended Proposed Individual Relief Awards List, # 4 Exhibit Declaration of Charles Lawson, # 5 Exhibit Declaration of Michelle Brown)(Baluch, Ejaz) (Entered: 11/22/2021)	Nov. 22, 2021	Nov. 22, 2021
52	NOTICE of Appearance by Amber Trzinski Fox on behalf of United States of America (Fox, Amber) (Entered: 12/01/2021)	Dec. 1, 2021	Dec. 1, 2021
	Telephone Conference held on 2/11/2022 before Judge Catherine C. Blake. (kams, Deputy Clerk)	Feb. 11, 2022	Feb. 11, 2022
53	MOTION Approval of Amended Appendix C by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Fox, Amber) (Entered: 02/15/2022)	Feb. 15, 2022	Feb. 15, 2022
54	ORDER scheduling a fairness hearing on individual relief re 51 Motion to schedule fairness hearing. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 2/15/2022. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/15/2022)	Feb. 15, 2022	Feb. 15, 2022
55	ORDER granting 53 Motion for Approval of Amended Appendix C filed by United States of America. Signed by Judge Catherine C. Blake on 2/16/2022. (dass, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 02/16/2022)	Feb. 16, 2022	Feb. 16, 2022
	Telephone Conference held on 5/9/2022 before Judge Catherine C. Blake. (kams, Deputy Clerk)	May 9, 2022	May 9, 2022
56	Joint MOTION for Settlement for Final Approval of the Fourth Amended Proposed Individual Relief Awards List by United States of America (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Text of Proposed Order, # 3 Exhibit 1 - Fourth Amended Proposed Individual Relief Awards List, # 4 Exhibit 2 - Objector List, # 5 Exhibit 3 - Objections, # 6 Exhibit 4 - Declaration of Michelle Brown, # 7 Exhibit 5 - Declaration of Andrew Choi)(Lawrence, Kathleen) (Entered: 06/07/2022) 1 View on RECAP	June 7, 2022	June 7, 2022
57	Fairness Hearing held on 6/17/2022 before Judge Catherine C. Blake.(Court Reporter: Melissa Clark) (kams, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 06/17/2022)	June 17, 2022	June 17, 2022