Case: EEOC v. Lithia Centennial Chrysler Plymouth Jeep, Inc. dba Centennia

1:01-cv-00119 | U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Filed Date: Jan. 22, 2001

Closed Date: Oct. 4, 2002

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Boulder office of the EEOC brought this action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado against Lithia Centennial Chrysler Plymouth Jeep, Inc. d/b/a Centennial Chrysler Plymouth. The complaint, filed in January 2001, alleged race discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint specifically alleged that Defendant fired three African American salespersons due to their race and repeatedly used crude racial epithets.

In January 2002, Defendant filed a motion to dismiss, but the motion was never ruled upon because in October 2002, the parties settled and agreed to a consent decree. While we do not have access to the consent decree, a press release from the EEOC regarding this case stated that Defendant agreed to pay $450,000 in total damages to the three charging parties and to provide Title VII training to its managers.

Summary Authors

Kevin Wilemon (6/7/2007)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:01-cv-00119

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. Lithia Cent Chrys

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

Docket

1:01-cv-00119

Race Motivated Firings and Epithets Cost Colorado Car Dealership $450,000

No Court

Oct. 9, 2002

Oct. 9, 2002

Press Release

Resources

Docket

Last updated Jan. 27, 2024, 3:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT (Summons(es) not issued); jury demand (former empl) (Entered: 01/23/2001)

Jan. 22, 2001

Jan. 22, 2001

2

LETTER from court to pla's counsel re case reassigned to Judge Daniel (former empl) (Entered: 01/23/2001)

Jan. 22, 2001

Jan. 22, 2001

3

CERTIFICATE of mailing by plaintiff of Notice of Availability of Magistrate Judge (former empl) (Entered: 01/29/2001)

Jan. 26, 2001

Jan. 26, 2001

4

WAIVER OF SERVICE of Summons and Complaint by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys on 1/23/01 (former empl) (Entered: 03/06/2001)

March 5, 2001

March 5, 2001

5

ANSWER by Dft Lithia Cent Chrys to complaint [1-1]; jury demand (erv) (Entered: 04/03/2001)

March 30, 2001

March 30, 2001

6

ORDER R16,stat,stlmt,pt,pto Case referred to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel (cc: to counsel) (erv) (Entered: 04/04/2001)

April 3, 2001

April 3, 2001

7

ATTORNEY APPEARANCE for plaintiff EEOC by Rita Byrnes Kittle (erv) (Entered: 04/09/2001)

April 5, 2001

April 5, 2001

9

SCHEDULING ORDER Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan ; Discovery cutoff 12/31/01 ;dispositive motions due 1/25/02 settlement conference 3:00 9/4/01 ;pretrial conference set 10:30 4/1/02 (cc: all counsel) (erv) (Entered: 06/04/2001)

May 31, 2001

May 31, 2001

10

COURTROOM MINUTES by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan ; Suppl Dispo Schedul 7/2/01, Rule 26(a)3) witness exchange 3/15/02, Updated Confidential Statements 8/28/01,settlement conf 9/4/01 at 3:00, 4/1/02 at 10:30 entry date : 6/5/01 Court Reporter: PAC Civil Tape 2001-61 (erv) (Entered: 06/05/2001)

May 31, 2001

May 31, 2001

11

SUPPLEMENT by Pla EEOC to scheduling Order [9-1] (erv) (Entered: 06/26/2001)

June 26, 2001

June 26, 2001

Tendered Amended Complaint submitted by plaintiff EEOC re: motion for leave to file an Amended Complaint and jury Trial Demand [13-1] (erv) (Entered: 07/20/2001)

July 13, 2001

July 13, 2001

12

NOTICE of Change of Address of Timothy J. Murphy csl for Dfts (erv) (Entered: 07/19/2001)

July 17, 2001

July 17, 2001

13

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC for leave to file an Amended Complaint and jury Trial Demand (erv) (Entered: 07/20/2001)

July 20, 2001

July 20, 2001

14

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Plas' motion for leave to file an Amended Complaint and jury Trial Demand [13-1] regarding [1-1] complaint (erv) (Entered: 07/25/2001)

July 23, 2001

July 23, 2001

15

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan regarding [13- 1] pla's motion for leave to file an Amended complaint and jury trial demand, dfts' responses due by 8/1/01 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 7/26/01 (lam) (Entered: 07/26/2001)

July 24, 2001

July 24, 2001

16

ORDER by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting Pla's motion for leave to file an Amended Complaint and jury Demand [13-1] (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 8/9/01 (erv) (Entered: 08/09/2001)

Aug. 7, 2001

Aug. 7, 2001

17

AMENDED COMPLAINT [1-1] by plaintiff EEOC; jury demand; adding defendant L.A.H. Automotive Enterprises, Inc, and Moreland Auto Group, LLC (erv) (Entered: 08/09/2001)

Aug. 7, 2001

Aug. 7, 2001

19

MEMORANDUM by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the first settlement conference was held. (erv) (Entered: 09/10/2001)

Sept. 5, 2001

Sept. 5, 2001

18

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan, a further ; settlement conf set for 8:00 10/30/01 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 9/7/01 (erv) (Entered: 09/07/2001)

Sept. 6, 2001

Sept. 6, 2001

20

RETURN OF SERVICE of Summons and Amd Complaint upon Doug Moreland, their agent, via his secretary Kim Espinola for defendant Moreland Auto Group on 8/22/01 and upon Harden Holmes, their agent, via secretary Barbara Baines for defendant L.A.H. Automotive on 8/16/01 (gms) (Entered: 09/21/2001)

Sept. 19, 2001

Sept. 19, 2001

21

ANSWER by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys, defendant L.A.H. Automotive to complaint [17-1]; jury demand (erv) (Entered: 10/09/2001)

Oct. 9, 2001

Oct. 9, 2001

22

ANSWER by defendant Moreland Auto Group to complaint [17-1] (erv) (Entered: 10/11/2001)

Oct. 9, 2001

Oct. 9, 2001

23

Joint MOTION by plaintiff, defendant to vacate and reschedule settlement conference set fo 10/30/01 at 8:00 (erv) (Entered: 10/29/2001)

Oct. 26, 2001

Oct. 26, 2001

25

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Joint motion to vacate and reschedule settlement conference set fo 10/30/01 at 8:00 [23-1] (erv) (Entered: 11/01/2001)

Oct. 29, 2001

Oct. 29, 2001

24

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting Joint motion to vacate and reschedule settlement conference set fo 10/30/01 at 8:00 [23-1] ; settlement conf reset for 3:00 1/8/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 10/31/01 (erv) (Entered: 10/31/2001)

Oct. 30, 2001

Oct. 30, 2001

26

MOTION by Louis Lenox, Willie T. Hayes, Lenny Merritt for leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs' (erv) (Entered: 12/03/2001)

Nov. 30, 2001

Nov. 30, 2001

27

Certificate of Compliance re: motion for leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs' [26-1] (erv) (Entered: 12/03/2001)

Nov. 30, 2001

Nov. 30, 2001

28

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the motion for leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs' [26-1] (erv) (Entered: 12/04/2001)

Dec. 3, 2001

Dec. 3, 2001

29

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan regarding Intervenor's [26-1] motion for leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs'; Pla's and Dfts' responses are due on or before 12/14/01 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 12/5/01 (erv) (Entered: 12/05/2001)

Dec. 4, 2001

Dec. 4, 2001

30

Statement of Non-Opposition (RESPONSE) by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys to motion for leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs' [26-1] (erv) (Entered: 12/12/2001)

Dec. 11, 2001

Dec. 11, 2001

31

RESPONSE by plaintiff EEOC to Lenox, Hayes and Merritt's motion for leave to intervene [26-1] (lam) (Entered: 12/17/2001)

Dec. 14, 2001

Dec. 14, 2001

32

Unopposed MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to extend for one month the discovery ddl (erv) (Entered: 12/27/2001)

Dec. 27, 2001

Dec. 27, 2001

33

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Unopposed motion to extend for one month the discovery ddl [32-1] (erv) (Entered: 12/27/2001)

Dec. 27, 2001

Dec. 27, 2001

34

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting the unopposed motion to extend for one month the discovery ddl [32-1] discovery ddl reset 1/31/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 12/28/01 (erv) (Entered: 12/28/2001)

Dec. 28, 2001

Dec. 28, 2001

35

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting motion for leave to Intervene as Plaintiffs' [26-1] Dfts answers or other responses to the Complaint in Intervention are due on or before 1/22/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 12/31/01 (erv) (Entered: 12/31/2001)

Dec. 28, 2001

Dec. 28, 2001

36

INTERVENOR'S COMPLAINT by Intervenor Plas' Lenny Merritt, Willie Hayes, Louis Lenox (erv) Modified on 12/31/2001 (Entered: 12/31/2001)

Dec. 28, 2001

Dec. 28, 2001

37

Unopposed MOTION by Pla's Lenny Merritt, Willie Hayes, Louis Lenox to vacate Settlement Conference (erv) (Entered: 01/03/2002)

Jan. 2, 2002

Jan. 2, 2002

38

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Pla's motion to vacate Settlement Conference [37-1] (erv) (Entered: 01/04/2002)

Jan. 3, 2002

Jan. 3, 2002

39

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting Individual Pla's motion to vacate Settlement Conference [37-1] , ; settlement conf reset for 1:30 3/7/02 (cc: all counsel) entry date : 1/7/02 (erv) (Entered: 01/07/2002)

Jan. 4, 2002

Jan. 4, 2002

40

MOTION by Dfts Lithia Cent Chrys, L.A.H. Automotive, Moreland Auto Group to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter Jurisdiction (12)(b)(1), Failure to state a Claim upon which relief may be Granted (12)(b)(6) (erv) (Entered: 01/22/2002)

Jan. 22, 2002

Jan. 22, 2002

41

CERTIFICATE of Service by Dfts' re: Motion to Dismiss (erv) (Entered: 01/22/2002)

Jan. 22, 2002

Jan. 22, 2002

42

DECLARATION of David Reese re: motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter Jurisdiction (12)(b)(1), Failure to state a Claim upon which relief may be Granted (12)(b)(6) [40-1] (erv) (Entered: 01/22/2002)

Jan. 22, 2002

Jan. 22, 2002

43

MINUTE ORDER : by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel setting hearing on Dfts motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter Jurisdiction (12)(b)(1), Failure to state a Claim upon which relief may be Granted (12)(b)(6) [40-1] 1:30 8/16/02, Pla shall respond by 2/22/02. (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 1/23/02 (erv) (Entered: 01/23/2002)

Jan. 23, 2002

Jan. 23, 2002

44

Unopposed MOTION by Individual Plas Lenny Merritt, Willie Hayes, Louis Lenox to extend Discovery DDL's (erv) (Entered: 01/31/2002)

Jan. 30, 2002

Jan. 30, 2002

45

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Pla's motion to extend Discovery DDL's [44- 1] (erv) (Entered: 01/31/2002)

Jan. 31, 2002

Jan. 31, 2002

46

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting Individual Plas' motion to extend Discovery DDL's [44-1] ; discovery ddl reset 4/1/02 ; status conf set for 1:15 3/7/02 ; pto ddl set for 4/26/02 ; pretrial conf reset for 9:00 5/1/01 ; settlement conf set for 1:30 4/5/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 2/6/02 (erv) (Entered: 02/06/2002)

Feb. 5, 2002

Feb. 5, 2002

47

ANSWER by defendant Moreland Auto Group to complaint in Intervention [36-1] (erv) (Entered: 02/11/2002)

Feb. 8, 2002

Feb. 8, 2002

49

CERTIFICATE of Service by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys of Amended Motion to Dismiss Complaint in Intervention (erv) (Entered: 02/13/2002)

Feb. 12, 2002

Feb. 12, 2002

48

AMENDED MOTION by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for lack of subject matter jurisdiction terminating motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter Jurisdiction (12)(b)(1), Failure to state a Claim upon relief may be Granted (12)(b)(6) [40-1] (erv) Modified on 08/07/2002 (Entered: 08/07/2002)

Feb. 12, 2002

Feb. 12, 2002

50

RESPONSE by Individual Pla's Lenny Merritt, Willie Hayes, Louis Lenox to motion to dismiss complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter jurisdiction and Failure to state a Claim upon which Relief may be Granted [48-1] (erv) (Entered: 02/25/2002)

Feb. 22, 2002

Feb. 22, 2002

52

REPLY Brief by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys to Intervenors response to Dft Lithia's motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter Jurisdiction (12)(b)(1), Failure to state a Claim upon which relief may be Granted (12)(b)(6) [40-1] (erv) (Entered: 03/11/2002)

March 5, 2002

March 5, 2002

51

COURTROOM MINUTES of Status Conf by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan ; discovery ddl reset 7/1/02 ; pto ddl set for 8/22/02 ; pretrial conf set for 9:30 8/23/02 ; settlement conf set 1:30 7/23/02 ; entry date : 7/19/02 Court Reporter: PAC Civil Tape 2002-31 (erv) (Entered: 07/19/2002)

March 7, 2002

March 7, 2002

53

MINUTE ORDER : by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for Lack of Subject matter Jurisdiction (12)(b) (1), Failure to state a Claim upon which relief may be Granted (12)(b)(6) [40-1] hearing reset for 9:00 8/28/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 3/11/02 (erv) (Entered: 03/11/2002)

March 8, 2002

March 8, 2002

54

MEMORANDUM by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan ; settlement conf held 7/24/02 (lam) (Entered: 07/25/2002)

July 24, 2002

July 24, 2002

55

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan ; pto ddl set for 9/13/02 ; pretrial conf reset for 9:00 9/18/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 7/25/02 (lam) (Entered: 07/25/2002)

July 24, 2002

July 24, 2002

56

Unopposed MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to reset the Final Pre-Trial Conf from 9/18/02 at 9:00 to 9/16/02 at 9:00 (erv) (Entered: 07/31/2002)

July 30, 2002

July 30, 2002

57

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Pla's Unopposed motion to reset the Final Pre- Trial Conf from 9/18/02 at 9:00 to 9/16/02 at [56-1] (erv) (Entered: 08/02/2002)

July 31, 2002

July 31, 2002

59

Disclosure STATEMENT by defendant Lithia Cent Chrysler Plymouth Jeep,Inc., pursuant to Colorado Local Rules of Civil Rule 7.4 (erv) (Entered: 08/16/2002)

Aug. 16, 2002

Aug. 16, 2002

60

Withdrawal (ATTORNEY SUBSTITUTION)and Entry of Appearance: terminating attorney Mark M. Haynes for Lithia Cent Chrys and substituting attorney Patrick T. Murphy (erv) (Entered: 08/20/2002)

Aug. 19, 2002

Aug. 19, 2002

61

Unopposed MOTION by Dfts' to continue the hrg on Motion to Dismiss Complaint in Intervention set for 8/28/02 (erv) (Entered: 08/23/2002)

Aug. 23, 2002

Aug. 23, 2002

62

MINUTE ORDER : by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel granting Dfts Unopposed motion to continue the hrg on Motion to Dismiss Complaint in Intervention set for 8/28/02 [61-1] Resetting hearing on motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for lack of subject matter jurisdiction [48-1] 2:00 9/19/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 8/26/02 (erv) (Entered: 08/26/2002)

Aug. 26, 2002

Aug. 26, 2002

63

Unopposed MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to vacate and reschedule Pre- Trial Conf or, in the Alternative, change the scheduled Pre-Trial conf to a Settlement Conf set for 9/16/02 (erv) (Entered: 09/11/2002)

Sept. 10, 2002

Sept. 10, 2002

64

MEMORANDUM by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel referring to Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan the Pla's Unopposed motion to vacate and reschedule Pre-Trial Conf or, in the Alternative, change scheduled Pre- Trial conf to a Settlement Conf set for 9/16/02 [63-1] (erv) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 11, 2002

Sept. 11, 2002

65

NOTICE of Withdrawl of by defendant Lithia Cent Chrys re: motion to dismiss Complaint in Intervention for lack of subject matter jurisdiction [48-1] (erv) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 11, 2002

Sept. 11, 2002

66

MINUTE ORDER : by Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Coan granting in part the Unopposed motion to vacate and reschedule Pre-Trial Conf in the Alternative, change the scheduled Pre-Trial conf to Settlement Conf set for 9/16/02 [63-1] ; pto ddl set for 9/30/02 ; pretrial conf set for 8:30 10/4/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 9/12/02 (erv) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 12, 2002

Sept. 12, 2002

67

MINUTE ORDER : by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel, the parties shall file a joint status report ; status report ddl set for 10/4/02 (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 9/12/02 (erv) (Entered: 09/12/2002)

Sept. 12, 2002

Sept. 12, 2002

68

Joint Stipulation (MOTION) by pla EEOC and dfts Lithia Cent Chrys, L.A.H. Automotive for dismissal with prejudice (pap) (Entered: 09/20/2002)

Sept. 19, 2002

Sept. 19, 2002

69

ORDER by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel granting the Joint Stipulated motion for dismissal with prejudice [68-1] dismissing case Each party to bear its own costs and Atty fees (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 9/24/02 (erv) (Entered: 09/24/2002)

Sept. 23, 2002

Sept. 23, 2002

70

Joint Stipulated MOTION by defendant Moreland Auto Group, intervenor-plaintiff Lenny Merritt, intervenor-plaintiff Willie Hayes, intervenor Louis Lenox, defendant Lithia Cent Chrys, defendant L.A.H. Automotive to dismiss this action with prejudice (erv) (Entered: 09/27/2002)

Sept. 24, 2002

Sept. 24, 2002

71

ORDER of Dismissal with prejudice by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel granting the Joint Stipulated motion to dismiss this action with prejudice [70-1] dismissing party Louis Lenox, party Willie Hayes, party Lenny Merritt (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 9/27/02 (erv) (Entered: 09/27/2002)

Sept. 25, 2002

Sept. 25, 2002

72

Joint MOTION by plaintiff, defendant, intervenor-plaintiff, intervenor to dismiss with Prejudice Subject to Consent Decree (erv) (Entered: 10/01/2002)

Sept. 30, 2002

Sept. 30, 2002

73

ORDER by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel granting Joint motion to dismiss with Prejudice Subject to Consent Decree [72-1] dismissing case (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 10/4/02 (erv) (Entered: 10/04/2002)

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

74

CONSENT DECREE by Judge Wiley Y. Daniel pursuant to [73-2] orderi; It is ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED AS FOLLOWS: The Commission and Dft Moreland stipulate to the jurisdiction of the Ct over the Commission and Dft Moreland. This Decree, being volunatrily entered into by the Commission and the Dft Moreland, shall not constitute an admission or an adjudication of the mreits or the damages of this case. This decree is final and binding upon the Commission and Dft Moreland as to the issues resolved, as well as upon their successors and assigns. The Duration of the Decree shall be three yrs from the date of the signing by the Court, subject to the reporting provisions at Section IV (G); This decree resolves all claims for damages the Pla has against Dft arising out of the issues and claims set forth. Dft Moreland and its officers,agents, employees, successors, and all other persons in active concert or participation with any of them will not interfer with the relief herein ordered, but shall cooperate in the implementation of this decree (cc: all counsel) ; entry date : 10/7/02 (erv) (Entered: 10/07/2002)

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

Case Details

State / Territory: Colorado

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 22, 2001

Closing Date: Oct. 4, 2002

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

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

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Moreland Auto Group, Private Entity/Person

L.A.H. Automotive Enterprises, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Lithia Centennial Chrysler Plymouth, Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

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: 450000

Content of Injunction:

Provide antidiscrimination training

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discrimination-basis:

Race discrimination

Race:

Black

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit