Case: U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Leopalace Guam Corporation

1:25-cv-00004 | District Court of Guam

Filed Date: Feb. 14, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This is a case about alleged employment discrimination. On February 14, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Guam against LeoPalace Resort. The EEOC alleged that resort engaged in national origin discrimination by subjecting non-Japanese employees to less favorable conditions of employment compared to Japanese employees who held equivalent or subordinate positions. The agency brought this action …

This is a case about alleged employment discrimination. On February 14, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Guam against LeoPalace Resort. The EEOC alleged that resort engaged in national origin discrimination by subjecting non-Japanese employees to less favorable conditions of employment compared to Japanese employees who held equivalent or subordinate positions. The agency brought this action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. The EEOC sought a declaratory judgment, an injunction against discrimination, monetary compensation for past and future lost pay, other potential relief to address past discrimination (e.g., reinstatement or employment references), and attorneys' fees. Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona was assigned to the case.

The complaint alleges that, since at least 2015, the defendants have engaged in discriminatory practices by offering lower wages, fewer benefits, and less favorable employment terms to non-Japanese employees compared to their Japanese counterparts in equivalent or even subordinate roles.

The parties entered a consent decree with the court on February 19, 2025. Pursuant to the decree, the defendant agreed to pay $1,412,500, which would be distributed to those who had allegedly been discriminated against. Further, the order included injunctive relief related to anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation, and required a monitor to supervise the defendant’s compliance with Title VII and the provisions of the consent decree. The defendants agreed to a number of commitments, including management training, human resources training, reporting, new employee orientation and record-keeping provisions, and an internal complaint procedure. The decree noted that its effects would terminate after three years (or two and a half if the defendant is in full compliance for the first two years). 

As of April 2025, there have been no further developments, and the decree is presumably still in effect.

Summary Authors

Isabel Bysiewicz (4/23/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69638526/parties/us-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-leopalace-guam-corporation/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Park, Anna Y. (Guam)

Attorney for Defendant

Rapadas, Genevieve P. (Guam)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-00004

Complaint - Title VII

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

Complaint
5

1:25-cv-00004

Consent Decree: Order

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

Order/Opinion

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69638526/us-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-v-leopalace-guam-corporation/

Last updated Oct. 17, 2025, 10:44 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

Complaint against Leopalace Guam Corporation (Filing fee $ 405.), filed by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Scheduling Notice due to be issued by 3/26/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Cover Sheet, # 2 Proposed Summons)(Park, Anna) (Entered: 02/14/2025)

Feb. 14, 2025

Feb. 14, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

Order Of Recusal. Judge Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood recused. Signed by Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood on 2/18/2025. (hpg) (Entered: 02/18/2025)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

3

Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge. (hpg) (Entered: 02/18/2025)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

4

Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona has been designated to preside over this case. (hpg) (Entered: 02/18/2025)

Feb. 18, 2025

Feb. 18, 2025

5

Consent Decree; Order. The Court hereby retains jurisdiction over this Consent Decree until its expiration. Signed by Designated Judge Ramona V. Manglona on 2/18/2025. (hpg) (Entered: 02/19/2025)

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

RECAP
6

Notice of Entry re 5 Consent Decree; Order. (hpg) (Entered: 02/19/2025)

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Guam

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 14, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Leopalace Guam, Private Entity/Person

Defendant Type(s):

Restaurant

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

District Court of Guam 1:25-cv-00004

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Relief Granted:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: $1,412,500

Issues

Discrimination Basis:

National origin discrimination

Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):

Other

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits