Case: EEOC v. SHREE LALAJI LLC (t/a BEST WESTERN SALISBURY PLAZA)

1:06-cv-02154 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Filed Date: Aug. 8, 2006

Closed Date: 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On August 8, 2006, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against Shree Lalaji LLC (trading as Best Western Salisbury Plaza) on behalf of a black employee, who it alleged was subjected to racial epithets and remarks and retaliation, and a class of black employees who were subjected to the racially hostile work environment that accompanied the situation. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that the general manager made racially hostile statements, treated black employees less f…

On August 8, 2006, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against Shree Lalaji LLC (trading as Best Western Salisbury Plaza) on behalf of a black employee, who it alleged was subjected to racial epithets and remarks and retaliation, and a class of black employees who were subjected to the racially hostile work environment that accompanied the situation. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that the general manager made racially hostile statements, treated black employees less favorably, refused service to and overcharged black guests of the hotel, and reduced the individual employee's hours in retaliation for his complaints about the general manager's racially motivated actions. The EEOC also alleged that the employee had been constructively fired. The EEOC sought monetary and injunctive relief for the black employees, including backpay, compensation for emotional harm, and punitive damages.

The parties reached a settlement agreement, which the Court (Judge William M. Nickerson) entered as a consent decree on December 6, 2006. The decree provided monetary and injunctive relief. The employee who allegedly had been constructively fired received $7,000 in back pay and $8,000 in compensatory damages, while the class of black employees received a total of $5,000. Under the decree, the Best Western was restrained from racial discrimination and creating a hostile work environment. The Best Western agreed not to retaliate against employees who oppose practices believed the employees to violate Title VII, and was required to post an equal employment notice and provide its employees with at least four hours of training on keeping the work environment free of racial harassment. The parties bore their own costs and attorneys' fees. The decree did not have a specific overall duration, and the case is now closed.

Summary Authors

Kenneth Gray (7/17/2013)

People


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Cooper, Ronald S. (District of Columbia)

Lawrence, Debra Michele (Maryland)

Lee, James L. (District of Columbia)

McNair, Jacqueline H. (Pennsylvania)

Attorney for Defendant

Keating, Mary (Maryland)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:06-cv-02154

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. Shree Lalaji LLC

Dec. 6, 2006

Dec. 6, 2006

Docket
1

1:06-cv-02154

Complaint

EEOC v. Shree Lalaji LLC

Aug. 18, 2006

Aug. 18, 2006

Complaint
6

1:06-cv-02154

Consent Decree

EEOC v. Shree Lalaji LLC

Dec. 6, 2006

Dec. 6, 2006

Settlement Agreement

Docket

Last updated March 27, 2024, 3:12 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Shree Lalaji LLC, filed by EEOC. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet)(ljs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/21/2006)

Aug. 18, 2006

Aug. 18, 2006

Jury Trial Demand by EEOC. (ljs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/21/2006)

Aug. 18, 2006

Aug. 18, 2006

2

Summons Issued 20 days as to Shree Lalaji LLC. (ljs, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/21/2006)

Aug. 21, 2006

Aug. 21, 2006

3

NOTICE of Appearance by Jacqueline H McNair on behalf of EEOC (jlb, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 08/22/2006)

Aug. 21, 2006

Aug. 21, 2006

(ENTERED IN ERROR) Deficiency Notice to EEOC. Your Local Rule 103.3 disclosure statement has not been filed.The Statement must be filed by 8/31/2006 (ljs, Deputy Clerk) Modified on 8/23/2006 (ljs, Deputy Clerk). (Entered: 08/22/2006)

Aug. 22, 2006

Aug. 22, 2006

4

WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed by EEOC. Shree Lalaji LLC waiver sent on 11/6/2006, answer due 1/5/2007. (White Dunston, Erica) (Entered: 11/21/2006)

Nov. 21, 2006

Nov. 21, 2006

5

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT by EEOC. (White Dunston, Erica) (Entered: 12/06/2006)

Dec. 6, 2006

Dec. 6, 2006

6

CONSENT DECREE and approval. Signed by Judge William M Nickerson on 12/6/06. (jlb, Deputy Clerk) (Entered: 12/06/2006)

Dec. 6, 2006

Dec. 6, 2006

Case Details

State / Territory: Maryland

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 8, 2006

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of a black employee and a class of black employees

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Shree Lalaji LLC (trading as Best Western Salisbury Plaza), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Damages

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Amount Defendant Pays: $20,000

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Retaliation Prohibition

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Issues

General:

Retaliation

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits