Case: EEOC v. H.O.M.E., INC. & L.I.F.E., INC.

4:98-cv-01035 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Filed Date: Sept. 24, 1998

Closed Date: May 31, 2000

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In September 1998, the EEOC district office of Kansas City, Missouri brought this suit against HOME, Inc., LIFE, Inc., and several individuals in the U.S. District Court for the District of Western Missouri. Although the complaint is unavailable, the docket indicates that there was at least one allegation of sexual harassment resulting in a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After the EEOC obtained default judgments against both corporate defendants, the plaintiff interve…

In September 1998, the EEOC district office of Kansas City, Missouri brought this suit against HOME, Inc., LIFE, Inc., and several individuals in the U.S. District Court for the District of Western Missouri. Although the complaint is unavailable, the docket indicates that there was at least one allegation of sexual harassment resulting in a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After the EEOC obtained default judgments against both corporate defendants, the plaintiff intervenor moved to dismiss the case. All parties stipulated for dismissal of the remaining individual defendants.

Although the order is not available, the docket indicates the terms of the dismissal order. The docket states that the individual male intervenor received $15,870 in back pay; $6,096.96 for travel expenses; $2,135 for legal fees; $5,000 for emotional distress; and $10,000 in punitive damages. Further, another female received $42,619.88 in back pay; $5,000 in compensatory damages; and $10,000 in punitive damages. According to the docket, the order also stated that the defendants must (1) not engage in discriminatory conduct; (2) post a "poster required to be displayed" in the workplace by the EEOC; (3) and for 3 years the defendant must notify the EEOC within 15 days of receiving a claim of discrimination.

Summary Authors

Joel Pettit (5/31/2007)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/10831857/parties/eeoc-v-home-inc/


Judge(s)

Fenner, Gary A. (Missouri)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bryant, Frederick W (Missouri)

Johnson, Robert G. (Missouri)

Royal, S. Robert (Missouri)

Thomas, Charles M. (Missouri)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

4:98-cv-01035

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. HOME Inc.

May 31, 2000

May 31, 2000

Docket

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/10831857/eeoc-v-home-inc/

Last updated Sept. 29, 2026, 5:33 p.m.

Docket for: EEOC v. HOME Inc
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 24, 1998

COMPLAINT ( 0 Summons(es) issued) w/JS44 Fee waived (Shannon Brogan) (Entered: 09/25/1998)

RECAP
2 Sept. 24, 1998

Notice of Inclusion in the Early Assessment Program (Shannon Brogan) (Entered: 09/25/1998)

RECAP
3 Sept. 28, 1998

Notice of pretrial procedures (Court Employee) (Entered: 09/28/1998)

RECAP
4 Oct. 21, 1998

AMENDED COMPLAINT; adding Karen C Martin, Willa A Slyster (Sealed Case User) (Entered: 10/22/1998)

RECAP
5 Nov. 18, 1998

MOTION to intervene Benson Owere (Court Employee) (Entered: 11/19/1998)

RECAP
6 Dec. 10, 1998

ORDER by Judge Gary A. Fenner granting movant's motion to intervene Benson Owere [5-1] (cc: all counsel) (Court Employee) (Entered: 12/10/1998)

RECAP
7 Dec. 15, 1998

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Karen C Martin on 12/15/98 Costs $ 55.50 (Court Employee) (Entered: 12/15/1998)

RECAP
8 Dec. 15, 1998

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant LIFE Inc on 12/11/98 Costs $ 40.00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 12/15/1998)

RECAP
9 Dec. 15, 1998

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant HOME Inc on 12/11/98 Costs $ 40.00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 12/15/1998)

RECAP
10 Dec. 17, 1998

RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Willa A Slyster on 12/16/98 Costs $ 40.00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 12/18/1998)

RECAP
11 Dec. 31, 1998

ANSWER by defendant Karen C Martin (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 01/04/1999)

RECAP
12 Jan. 5, 1999

ORDER by Judge Gary A. Fenner ; proposed scheduling order due by 2/26/99 ;rule 26(f) meeting on or before 2/16/99 (cc: all counsel) (Court Employee) (Entered: 01/05/1999)

RECAP
13 Jan. 5, 1999

ANSWER by defendant Willa A Slyster to pltf's First Amended Complaint (Court Employee) (Entered: 01/06/1999)

RECAP
14 Feb. 5, 1999

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for default judgment against HOME Inc, LIFE Inc (Bonnie Rowland) (Entered: 02/08/1999)

RECAP
15 Feb. 5, 1999

Suggestions by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion for default judgment against HOME Inc, LIFE Inc [14-1] (Bonnie Rowland) (Entered: 02/08/1999)

RECAP
16 Feb. 5, 1999

Request by plaintiff EEOC for entry of default against defendants H.O.M.E.S., Inc. and L.I.F.E., Inc. (Bonnie Rowland) (Entered: 02/08/1999)

RECAP
17 Feb. 19, 1999

Joint Proposed scheduling order by plaintiff, defendant (Court Employee) (Entered: 02/22/1999)

RECAP
20 Feb. 23, 1999

ORDER granting request that default is entered against dfts H.O.M.E.S., Inc and L.I.F.E., Inc, d/b/a H.O.M.E., in favor of plf [16-1] terminating case, (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 03/04/1999)

RECAP
18 Feb. 24, 1999

SCHEDULING & TRIAL ORDER: by Judge Gary A. Fenner ; discovery ddl set 10/1/99 ;final pretrial conference set for 1:30pm on 3/3/2000 ;accelerated jury trial set 9:00am on 4/3/2000 (cc: all counsel) (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 02/25/1999)

RECAP
19 Feb. 24, 1999

RULES of trial by Judge Gary A. Fenner (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 02/25/1999)

RECAP
21 March 22, 1999

ORDER by Judge Gary A. Fenner, ; Default hearing set for 1:30 5/11/99 sent certified mail Z 430 650 839 and regular mail to Registered Agent Robert W. Brown (cc: all counsel) (Court Employee) Modified on 03/22/1999 (Entered: 03/22/1999)

RECAP
March 25, 1999

RETURN of certified receipt card bearing number Z 430 650 839 addressed to HOME Inc, LIFE Inc showing receipt of order [21-3] on 3/24/99 (Court Employee) (Entered: 03/25/1999)

PACER
March 25, 1999

RETURN of certified receipt card bearing number Z 430 650 839 addressed to HOME Inc, LIFE Inc showing receipt of order [21-3] on 3/24/99 (Court Employee)

22 May 11, 1999

MOTION by defendant Karen C Martin for summary judgment (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/13/1999)

RECAP
23 May 11, 1999

Suggestions by defendant Karen C Martin in support of motion for summary judgment [22-1] (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/13/1999)

RECAP
24 May 11, 1999

EXHIBIT INDEX OF plaintiff EEOC (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/13/1999)

RECAP
25 May 11, 1999

EXHIBIT INDEX OF intervenor-plaintiff Benson Owere (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/13/1999)

RECAP
26 May 11, 1999

MINUTE ENTRY Judge Gary A. Fenner presiding regarding Pla's Mtn for Default Jgm against Corporate Dfts. Court finds that the Dft Corporations have failed to enter an appearance and file an answer. The Court orders default jgm on behalf of Michelle Smith and Intervenor Benson Owere. Counsel to prepare written jgm. Court Reporter: Libby Shinn (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/13/1999)

RECAP
27 May 17, 1999

ORDERED and ADJUDGED that the pla USA recover of the dft the sum of $57,619.88 with costs to date of 0 for a total $57,619.88 together with 0 % interest from the date of this judgment, and for all future costs (cc: all counsel) (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/19/1999)

RECAP
May 19, 1999

REMARK: Copy of Default Judgment mailed to Robert W. Brown, Registered Agent of H.O.M.E.S., Inc., and L.I.F.E., Inc. (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/19/1999)

PACER
May 19, 1999

REMARK: Copy of Default Judgment mailed to Robert W. Brown, Registered Agent of H.O.M.E.S., Inc., and L.I.F.E., Inc. (Michelle Kendall)

28 May 24, 1999

Suggestions by plaintiff EEOC in opposition to dft Karen Martin's motion for summary judgment [22-1] (Georgia Kee) (Entered: 05/25/1999)

RECAP
29 May 27, 1999

Suggestions by intervenor-plaintiff Benson Owere in opposition to motion for costs contained in her motion for summary judgment [22-1] (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/27/1999)

RECAP
30 Aug. 3, 1999

Stipulation of plaintiff, defendant, intervenor-plaintiff for dismissal of individual defendants Martin and Sleyster (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 08/03/1999)

RECAP
31 Aug. 4, 1999

ORDER by Judge Gary A. Fenner granting stipulation [30-1] to dismiss party Willa A Slyster, party Karen C Martin w/out prejudice at pla's costs (cc: all counsel) (Court Employee) (Entered: 08/05/1999)

RECAP
32 Aug. 24, 1999

First ORDER of default by Judge Gary A. Fenner granting motion for default judgment against HOME Inc, LIFE Inc [14-1] of intervenor Benson Owere. Ordered that Dfts are jointly and severally liable to intervenor Owere for back wages in the amount of $15,870, less any amounts required as withholdings from employee wages; Dfts are liable to intervenor for additional monetary sums lost be intervenor as a result of their unlawful and retaliatory discharge of him in the amount of $2,376.96 for travel costs and expenses to Mexico in relation to retaining his visa and work status privileges in the US, $3,720 for travel costs and expenses to Canada; and $800 in additional fees to his immigration attorney for legal work; $1,335 for attorneys fees; $5,000 for emotional and mental anguish; $10,000 in punitive damages. terminating case, (cc: all counsel) (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 08/26/1999)

RECAP
33 Aug. 24, 1999

CLERK'S JUDGMENT ordering that Dfts are jointly and severally liable to intervenor Benson Owere for back wages in the amount of $15,870; $2,376.96 for travel costs and expenses to Mexico; $3,720 for travel costs and expenses to Canada; $800 in additional fees to his immigration attorney for legal work; $1,335 for attorneys fees; $5,000 for emotional and mental anguish; $10,000 in punitive damages; FURTHER ORDERED that Dfts are jointly liable to Michelle Smith for $42,619.88 in back wages; $5,000 compensatory damages; $10,000 in punitive damages; FURTHER ORDERED that Dfts are prohibited from further engaging in discriminatory conduct; Dfts shall post and cause to remain posted the postered required to be displayed in the work place by EEOC; that for a period of 3 years commencing on the date of this order, Dfts shall w/in 15 days of receiving a complaint of sexual harassment provide a written notification to the EEOC's Regional Attorney., Entered on: 08/26/99 (cc:All Counsel) (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 08/26/1999)

RECAP
34 Sept. 7, 1999

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for writ of garnishment (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 09/08/1999)

RECAP
35 Jan. 25, 2000

Writ of Garnishment by plaintiff to Banister Bank and Trust & H.O.M.E.S, Inc. (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 01/28/2000)

RECAP
36 Jan. 25, 2000

Writ of garnishment from plaintiff against Life, Inc., dba Home (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 01/28/2000)

RECAP
37 Feb. 11, 2000

CERTIFICATE of service (USM285) of writ of garnishment on L.I.F.E 2/7/00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

RECAP
38 Feb. 11, 2000

CERTIFICATE of service (USM285) of writ of garnishment on H.O.M.E. 2/7/00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

RECAP
39 Feb. 11, 2000

CERTIFICATE of service (USM285) of writ of garnishment on Bannister Bank and Trust 2/7/00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

RECAP
40 Feb. 11, 2000

CERTIFICATE of service (USM285) of writ of garnishment on Bannister Bank & Trust (Court Employee) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

RECAP
41 Feb. 11, 2000

CERTIFICATE of service of writ of garnishment on Will Pierce 2/4/00 (Court Employee) (Entered: 02/14/2000)

RECAP
42 Feb. 15, 2000

Notice of filing answer of the garnishee (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 02/16/2000)

RECAP
43 May 25, 2000

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for order of garnishment (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

RECAP
44 May 25, 2000

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for order garnishment for $60.49 (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

RECAP
45 May 25, 2000

AFFIDAVIT of Melvin D. Kennedy regarding motion for order of garnishment [43-1] (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

RECAP
46 May 25, 2000

AFFIDAVIT of Melvin D. Kennedy regarding motion for order garnishment for $60.49 [44-1] (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

RECAP
47 May 31, 2000

GARNISHEE ORDER by Judge Gary A. Fenner granting motion for order garnishment for $60.49 [44-1] to be paid within 10 days of the date of this Order (cc: all counsel) (Michelle Kendall) Modified on 06/05/2000 (Entered: 06/05/2000)

RECAP
48 May 31, 2000

GARNISHEE ORDER by Judge Gary A. Fenner granting motion for order for garnishee to pay the sum of $2,714.24 of garnishment [43-1] (cc: all counsel) (Michelle Kendall) (Entered: 06/07/2000)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Missouri

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 24, 1998

Closing Date: May 31, 2000

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

H.O.M.E., Inc.

Karen C. Martin

L.I.F.E., Inc.

Willa A. Slyster

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Western District of Missouri 4:98-cv-01035

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Discrimination Prohibition

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Reporting

Amount Defendant Pays: 96721.88

Order Duration: 1999 - 2002

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Sex discrimination

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit

Recommended Citation