Case: EEOC v. GANNETT COMPANY, INC. d/b/a GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE

2:00-cv-00283 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Filed Date: Feb. 23, 2000

Closed Date: July 11, 2002

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In February 2000, the Milwaukee District Office of the EEOC brought this suit against Gannett Company Inc., d/b/a Green Bay Press-Gazette, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin alleging discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"). Specifically, the complaint alleged that the defendant failed to reasonably accommodate the charging party's mental disabilities and fired her because of her disabilities. The defendant filed a motion…

In February 2000, the Milwaukee District Office of the EEOC brought this suit against Gannett Company Inc., d/b/a Green Bay Press-Gazette, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin alleging discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"). Specifically, the complaint alleged that the defendant failed to reasonably accommodate the charging party's mental disabilities and fired her because of her disabilities.

The defendant filed a motion to dismiss in April 2000 which was denied in July 2000. After some discovery, the parties participated in a settlement conference in May 2001. The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment a few weeks later in mid June which was denied in mid September 2001. The case was tried by a jury in late November 2001 with the jury returning a verdict in favor of the defendant. The court entered a judgment for the defendant in early December. A few days later, the EEOC filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for partial summary judgment. However, both these motions were denied in January 2002. The EEOC filed a notice of appeal in March 2002. In July 2002, the appeal was dismissed.

Summary Authors

Justin Kanter (7/30/2007)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

2:00-cv-00283

02-01684

Docket [PACER - 7th Cir.]

EEOC v. Gannett Company, Inc.

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

July 16, 2002

July 16, 2002

Docket

2:00-cv-00283

Docket [PACER]

EEOC v. Gannett Company, Inc.

Oct. 16, 2002

Oct. 16, 2002

Docket
1

2:00-cv-00283

Complaint

EEOC v. Gannett Company, Inc.

Feb. 23, 2000

Feb. 23, 2000

Complaint

Resources

Docket

Last updated Jan. 27, 2024, 3:08 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (Summons(es) issued); jury demand Consent Forms Distributed for Magistrate Judge Patricia J. Gorence (eeb, )

Feb. 23, 2000

Feb. 23, 2000

2

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for defendant Gannett Company Inc by Timothy G Costello, Mark A Johnson (tlf, )

March 21, 2000

March 21, 2000

3

CERTIFICATE OF INTEREST by defendant Gannett Company Inc (tlf, )

March 21, 2000

March 21, 2000

5

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Company Inc (tlf, )

March 21, 2000

March 21, 2000

6

NOTICE OF MOTION and MOTION by defendant Gannett Company Inc to dismiss (tlf, ) (Entered: 04/25/2000)

April 24, 2000

April 24, 2000

7

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Company Inc in support of motion to dismiss [6-1] (tlf, ) (Entered: 04/25/2000)

April 24, 2000

April 24, 2000

8

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Company Inc (tlf, ) (Entered: 04/25/2000)

April 24, 2000

April 24, 2000

9

BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in opposition to motion to dismiss [6-1] (tlf, ) (Entered: 05/16/2000)

May 15, 2000

May 15, 2000

10

REPLY BRIEF by defendant Gannett Company Inc in support of motion to dismiss [6-1] (tlf, ) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

May 26, 2000

May 26, 2000

11

DECISION AND ORDER: by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran denying motion to dismiss [6-1]; ordering defendant to file an answer to the complaint within 10 days of the date of this order (cc: all counsel) (tlf, ) (Entered: 07/27/2000)

July 26, 2000

July 26, 2000

12

ANSWER by defendant Gannett Company Inc to [1-1]; jury demand (tlf, ) (Entered: 08/07/2000)

Aug. 4, 2000

Aug. 4, 2000

13

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Company Inc (tlf, ) (Entered: 08/07/2000)

Aug. 4, 2000

Aug. 4, 2000

14

NOTICE of hearing by the Court ; telephone scheduling conference set for 9:00 10/12/00 (cc: all counsel) (tlf, ) (Entered: 08/09/2000)

Aug. 8, 2000

Aug. 8, 2000

15

HEARING MINUTES: by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran ; amended pleadings ddl set for 12/1/00 ; discovery ddl set for 4/1/01 ; motion filing ddl set for 6/15/01 ; settlement report due 4/10/01; plaintiff to disclose experts by 3/1/01, defendant by 4/15/01; expert discovery ddl 5/15/01; pretrial conference set for 8:45 10/25/01 ; jury trial set for 9:30 11/26/01 (6/28/02, 3/11/02) est 4 days; status hearing held 10/12/00 (tlf, ) (Entered: 10/13/2000)

Oct. 12, 2000

Oct. 12, 2000

16

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran SEE 10/12/00 Hearing Minutes (cc: all counsel) (tlf, )

Oct. 13, 2000

Oct. 13, 2000

17

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for protective order (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/01/2001)

Feb. 28, 2001

Feb. 28, 2001

18

BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion for protective order [17-1] (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/01/2001)

Feb. 28, 2001

Feb. 28, 2001

19

CERTIFICATION of compliance with Fed. R. Civ.P. 26(c) and AFFIDAVIT of Dennis R. McBride in support of plaintiffs motion for protective order filed by plaintiff (eeb, ) Modified on 03/01/2001 (Entered: 03/01/2001)

Feb. 28, 2001

Feb. 28, 2001

20

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/01/2001)

Feb. 28, 2001

Feb. 28, 2001

21

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran setting hearing on motion for protective order [17-1] at 11:00 a.m. on 3/9/01. FURTHER ORDERED that the defendant shall serve and file a response in chambers on or before 5:00 p.m. on 3/6/01. (cc: all counsel) (eeb, )

March 2, 2001

March 2, 2001

22

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION by defendant Gannett Company Inc for order directing Rule 35(a) mental examination of Janet Gilliland (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 6, 2001

March 6, 2001

23

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Company Inc in support of motion for order [22-1] and in opposition to plaintiffs motion for protective order. (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 6, 2001

March 6, 2001

23

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Company Inc in opposition to motion for protective order [17-1] (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 6, 2001

March 6, 2001

24

AFFIDAVIT of Mark A. Johnson in support of motion for Rule 35(a) examination of Janet Gilliland and in opposition to plaintiffs motion for protective order w/attached exhibits (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 6, 2001

March 6, 2001

25

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Company Inc (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/07/2001)

March 6, 2001

March 6, 2001

26

REPLY BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion for protective order [17-1] (tlf, ) (Entered: 03/12/2001)

March 8, 2001

March 8, 2001

27

HEARING MINUTES: by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran that the court denies motion of plaintiff to prohibit examination of Ms. Dillon by Dr. Spiro; examine is restricted to 4 hours. Court grants motion to compel. Court orders that disclosure of Dr. Spiro's report be made to both parties. Plaintiffs ask that order be stayed for at least a week. Court will stay both exam and publishing of order until Wednesday at 5:00 p.m., March 14, 2001. Court Reporter: John S. (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/13/2001)

March 9, 2001

March 9, 2001

28

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran denying in part and granting in part motion for order [22-1] directing Rule 35(a) Mental Examination of Janet Gilliland, denying in part and granting in part motion for protective order [17-1] (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 03/13/2001)

March 9, 2001

March 9, 2001

29

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran Case referred to Mag Judge Patricia J. Gorence for the purpose of conducting mediation before the deadline for the filing of dispositive motions on 6/15/01. (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 04/19/2001)

April 18, 2001

April 18, 2001

30

ORDER by Mag Judge Patricia J. Gorence Mediation/Settlement Conference set for 10:00 a.m. on 5/30/01 (cc: all counsel) (cms, )

April 20, 2001

April 20, 2001

31

HEARING MINUTES: by Mag Judge Patricia J. Gorence Mediation/Settlement Conference held on 5/30/01 Court conducts a mediation. Parties are unable to reach a settlement at this time. (cms, ) (Entered: 05/31/2001)

May 30, 2001

May 30, 2001

32

LETTER from plaintiff EEOC in regards to the Mediation (cms, )

June 4, 2001

June 4, 2001

33

NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION by defendant Gannett Company Inc for summary judgment (eeb, )

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

34

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Company Inc in support of motion for summary judgment [33-1] (eeb, )

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

36

AFFIDAVIT of Patricia A. Lauten (eeb, )

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

37

AFFIDAVIT of William T. Nusbaum (eeb, )

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

38

AFFIDAVIT of Mark A. Johnson w/attached exhibits (eeb, )

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

39

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Company Inc (eeb, )

June 15, 2001

June 15, 2001

40

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for order for CONFIDENTIALLY of Summary Judgment Materials (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/17/2001)

July 16, 2001

July 16, 2001

41

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/17/2001)

July 16, 2001

July 16, 2001

42

STIPULATION and ORDER FOR AMENDMENT OF COMPLAINT AND ANSWER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran : substituting "Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc." in place of "Gannett Company, Inc." , the Answer shall be amended to withdraw the defendants fifth affirmative (undue hardship) defense. terminating party Gannett Company Inc (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/25/2001)

July 23, 2001

July 23, 2001

43

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran denying motion for order for CONFIDENTIALLY of Summary Judgment Materials [40-1]. The plaintiff has provided no legal basis for its request to seal the materials which relate to the claims the plaintiffs has put into issue. (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/25/2001)

July 23, 2001

July 23, 2001

44

RESPONSE by plaintiff EEOC to defendants proposed findings of fact and plaintiffs statement of facts in opposition to defendants motion for summary judgment. (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/26/2001)

July 23, 2001

July 23, 2001

45

BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in opposition to motion for summary judgment [33-1] (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/26/2001)

July 23, 2001

July 23, 2001

46

AFFIDAVIT of Dennis R. McBride in opposition to defendants motion for summary judgment w/attached exhibits. (eeb, ) (Entered: 07/26/2001)

July 23, 2001

July 23, 2001

47

REPLY BRIEF by defendant Gannett Satellite in support of motion for summary judgment [33-1] (eeb, ) (Entered: 08/06/2001)

Aug. 3, 2001

Aug. 3, 2001

48

REPLY by defendant Gannett Satellite to plaintiffs response to defendants proposed findings of fact and plaintiffs statement of facts in opposition to defendants motion for summary judgment. (eeb, ) (Entered: 08/06/2001)

Aug. 3, 2001

Aug. 3, 2001

49

SUPPLEMENTAL AFFIDAVIT of Mark A. Johnson (eeb, ) (Entered: 08/06/2001)

Aug. 3, 2001

Aug. 3, 2001

50

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 08/06/2001)

Aug. 3, 2001

Aug. 3, 2001

51

DECISION AND ORDER: by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran denying deft's motion for summary judgment [33-1] (cc: all counsel) (kmm, ) (Entered: 09/18/2001)

Sept. 17, 2001

Sept. 17, 2001

52

PRETRIAL REPORT by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, ) (Entered: 10/23/2001)

Oct. 22, 2001

Oct. 22, 2001

54

PROPOSED Jury Instructions submitted by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 10/23/2001)

Oct. 22, 2001

Oct. 22, 2001

55

PROPOSED Voir Dire Questions submitted by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 10/23/2001)

Oct. 22, 2001

Oct. 22, 2001

56

PROPOSED Verdict Form submitted by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 10/23/2001)

Oct. 22, 2001

Oct. 22, 2001

57

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 10/23/2001)

Oct. 22, 2001

Oct. 22, 2001

58

MOTIONS by defendant Gannett Satellite (Green Bay Press-Gazette) in limine (eeb, ) Modified on 11/08/2001

Nov. 8, 2001

Nov. 8, 2001

59

AFFIDAVIT of Mark A. Johnson in support of deft Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. (Green Bay Press-Gazette) (eeb, )

Nov. 8, 2001

Nov. 8, 2001

60

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Satellite (Green Bay Press-Gazette) (eeb, )

Nov. 8, 2001

Nov. 8, 2001

61

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to exclude testimony of Herzl Spiro, M.D. (eeb, )

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

62

MOTIONS by plaintiff EEOC in limine (eeb, )

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

63

AFFIDAVIT of Dennis R. McBride in support of plaintiffs motions in limine and plaintiffs motion to exclude testimony of Herzl Spiro, M.D. w/attached exhibits (eeb, )

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

64

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for leave to exceed page limit (eeb, )

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

65

AMENDED TRIAL EXHIBIT list by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, )

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

66

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, )

Nov. 9, 2001

Nov. 9, 2001

67

REVISED AMENDED TRIAL EXHIBIT list by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, )

Nov. 13, 2001

Nov. 13, 2001

68

AMENDED PRETRIAL REPORT by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/15/2001)

Nov. 14, 2001

Nov. 14, 2001

69

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/15/2001)

Nov. 14, 2001

Nov. 14, 2001

70

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran granting motion for leave to exceed page limit [64-1] IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall serve and file responses to all motions in limine on or before 11/21/01. The defendant may file a brief of ten pages or less in response to the plaintiffs Motion to Exclude Testimony of Herzl Spiro, M.D. (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/16/2001)

Nov. 14, 2001

Nov. 14, 2001

71

LETTER REQUEST by plaintiff EEOC requesting a clarification from the court concerning the procedure for the trial of this case, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 26, 2001. (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/19/2001)

Nov. 16, 2001

Nov. 16, 2001

72

ORIGINAL Document - plaintiffs counter designation to the deposition of Julia M. Wilke. (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/19/2001)

Nov. 16, 2001

Nov. 16, 2001

74

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for leave to file motion in limine regarding police report w/attached motion in limine (eeb, )

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

75

AFFIDAVIT of Dennis R. McBride in support of plfts motion regarding motion in limine (eeb, )

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

76

AFFIDAVIT of Dennis R. McBride in support of plfts opposition to defts motions in limine (eeb, )

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

77

BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in opposition to defts motions in limine [58-1] (eeb, )

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

78

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for order regarding fact-finder on backpay issue (eeb, )

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

79

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, )

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

80

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Satellite in opposition to motion in limine [62-1], to motion to exclude testimony of Herzl Spiro, M.D. [61-1] (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/23/2001)

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

81

AFFIDAVIT of Patricia A. Lauten w/attached exhibits (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/23/2001)

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

82

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, ) (Entered: 11/23/2001)

Nov. 21, 2001

Nov. 21, 2001

83

ORIGINAL DEPOSITION of Steven Cywinski (w/attached exhibits) taken on the following date(s): 3/20/01 at 10:32 a.m. in Stevens Point, WI. This deposition will be used as noted in the pretrial report. ORIGINAL IN CHAMBERS (eeb, ) Modified on 11/23/2001

Nov. 23, 2001

Nov. 23, 2001

84

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Satellite in opposition to motion in limine [62-1] (eeb, )

Nov. 23, 2001

Nov. 23, 2001

85

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Satellite in opposition to motion for order regarding fact-finder on backpay issue [78-1] (eeb, )

Nov. 23, 2001

Nov. 23, 2001

86

AFFIDAVIT of Mark A. Johnson (eeb, )

Nov. 23, 2001

Nov. 23, 2001

87

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by defendant Gannett Satellite (eeb, )

Nov. 23, 2001

Nov. 23, 2001

90

HEARING MINUTES: by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran jury trial started 11/26/01; 11/27/01; 11/28/01; 11/29/01 and adjourned on 11/30/01 , ; jury trial held 11/26/01 Court Reporter: John S. (eeb, ) (Entered: 12/04/2001)

Nov. 26, 2001

Nov. 26, 2001

96

STIPULATION by the parties regarding exhibits contained in certain documents filed in this case. (eeb, ) (Entered: 12/10/2001)

Nov. 26, 2001

Nov. 26, 2001

97

STIPULATION by the parties regarding amount of potential backpay claim (eeb, ) (Entered: 12/10/2001)

Nov. 26, 2001

Nov. 26, 2001

88

MEMORANDUM OF LAW filed by plaintiff EEOC regarding Episodic Conditions and Employers Knowledge of Disabilities. (eeb, )

Nov. 29, 2001

Nov. 29, 2001

89

PROPOSED Additional Jury Instructions submitted by plaintiff EEOC (eeb, )

Nov. 29, 2001

Nov. 29, 2001

92

EXHIBITS received for plaintiff EEOC, defendant Gannett Satellite ; exhibit list filed (eeb, )

Dec. 4, 2001

Dec. 4, 2001

93

ORDER by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran granting motion for order regarding fact-finder on backpay issue [78-1], granting motion for leave to file motion in limine regarding police report w/attached motion in limine [74-1], granting in part and denying in part motion in limine [62-1], denying motion to exclude testimony of Herzl Spiro, M.D. [61-1], granting in part and denying in part motion in limine [58-1] (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 12/10/2001)

Dec. 7, 2001

Dec. 7, 2001

94

ORDER FOR JUDGMENT by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran that the Clerk of Court shall enter a final judgment as a separate document. (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 12/10/2001)

Dec. 7, 2001

Dec. 7, 2001

95

JUDGMENT: by Deputy Clerk that plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission take nothing and that this action brought against Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc., d/b/a Green Bay Press-Gazette is dismissed upon its merits. dismissing case (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 12/10/2001)

Dec. 7, 2001

Dec. 7, 2001

98

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for new trial , and for summary judgment on failure-to-accommodate claim (eeb, )

Dec. 11, 2001

Dec. 11, 2001

99

BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion for new trial [98-1], of motion for summary judgment on failure-to-accommodate claim [98-2] (eeb, )

Dec. 11, 2001

Dec. 11, 2001

100

BRIEF by defendant Gannett Satellite in opposition to motion for new trial [98-1], to motion for summary judgment on failure-to-accommodate claim [98-2] (tlf, ) (Entered: 01/02/2002)

Dec. 31, 2001

Dec. 31, 2001

101

REPLY BRIEF by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion for new trial [98-1], motion for summary judgment on failure-to-accommodate claim [98-2] (eeb, )

Jan. 15, 2002

Jan. 15, 2002

102

DECISION AND ORDER: by Senior Judge Thomas J. Curran denying motion for new trial [98-1], denying motion for summary judgment on failure-to-accommodate claim [98-2] (cc: all counsel) (eeb, ) (Entered: 01/23/2002)

Jan. 22, 2002

Jan. 22, 2002

103

AFFIDAVIT of Patricia A. Lauten w/attached exhibits. (eeb, ) (Entered: 02/04/2002)

Feb. 1, 2002

Feb. 1, 2002

BILL OF COSTS proposed by defendant Gannett Satellite Briefing letter mailed (eeb, )

Feb. 4, 2002

Feb. 4, 2002

Case Details

State / Territory: Wisconsin

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 23, 2000

Closing Date: July 11, 2002

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Gannett Company, Inc. (Green Bay, WI), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Accommodation / Leave

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits