Case: EEOC v. Highland Fruit Growers

2:03-cv-03132 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

Filed Date: Sept. 29, 2003

Closed Date: Feb. 14, 2009

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Seattle District Office of the EEOC brought this Title VII suit against High Fruit Growers, Inc. in September 2003, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. The complaint alleged that the defendant subjected the charging parties to sexual harassment because of their sex (female). The charging parties intervened in the suit in July 2004, and the case settled by entry of a consent decree in February 2005. The four year consent decree required the defendant to pay…
The Seattle District Office of the EEOC brought this Title VII suit against High Fruit Growers, Inc. in September 2003, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. The complaint alleged that the defendant subjected the charging parties to sexual harassment because of their sex (female). The charging parties intervened in the suit in July 2004, and the case settled by entry of a consent decree in February 2005. The four year consent decree required the defendant to pay a lump sum of $150,000 to the charging parties. The consent decree also requires the defendant to comply with Title VII, retain a consultant to create or enhance an anti-discrimination and harassment policy, enhance its complaint procedure, create a policy designed to promote supervisor accountability, give bi-annual reports to the EEOC, institute anti-discrimination and harassment training, expunge the record of the charging parties, give neutral references to the charging parties, and post a notice of equal employment rights during the consent decree. The docket sheet does not show any further enforcement; the case was presumably closed in 2009.

Summary Authors

Kevin Wilemon (5/31/2007)

Clearinghouse (6/12/2017)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12041463/parties/eeoc-v-highland-fruit/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Allen, Keller Wayne (Washington)

Drieband, Eric S (Washington)

Flores, Carmen (Washington)

Jr, A Luis (Washington)

Kamitomo, Mark Douglas (Washington)

Attorney for Defendant

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

2:03-cv-03132

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. HIGHLAND FRUIT GROWERS

Feb. 14, 2005

Feb. 14, 2005

Docket
1

2:03-cv-03132

Complaint and Jury Demand

Sept. 29, 2003

Sept. 29, 2003

Complaint
11

2:03-cv-03132

Complaint of Plaintiff Intervenors

EEOC v. HIGHLAND FRUIT GROWERS

July 28, 2004

July 28, 2004

Complaint
29

2:03-cv-03132

Consent Decree and Order of Dismissal

EEOC v. HIGHLAND FRUIT GROWERS

Feb. 14, 2005

Feb. 14, 2005

Settlement Agreement

2:03-cv-03132

Office of General Counsel FY 2005 Annual Report

EEOC v. Highland Fruit Growers, Inc.

No Court

April 13, 2006

April 13, 2006

Other

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/12041463/eeoc-v-highland-fruit/

Last updated Sept. 28, 2026, 4:32 p.m.

Docket for: EEOC v. Highland Fruit
ECF Number Date Description Link
1 Sept. 29, 2003

COMPLAINT JURY TRIAL DEMAND (Summons(es) issued) Fee-status: wv Receipt #: wv (CR) (Entered: 09/29/2003)

RECAP
2 Oct. 23, 2003

SUMMONS/RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Highland Fruit via service on Registered Agent Robert Ball on 10/13/03 (LE) (Entered: 10/23/2003)

RECAP
3 Oct. 31, 2003

ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES by defendant Highland Fruit Growers Inc (RF) (Entered: 11/03/2003)

RECAP
Nov. 23, 2003

Law Clerk assigned to case is 01 (PW) (Entered: 11/23/2003)

PACER
Nov. 23, 2003

Law Clerk assigned to case is 01 (PW)

Jan. 5, 2004

Sched Conference Notice ;telephonic sched conf 9:00 2/13/04 Spokane, WA (PW) (Entered: 01/05/2004)

PACER
4 Feb. 2, 2004

Joint Discovery Plan pur. to FRCP 26(F) (RF) (Entered: 02/02/2004)

RECAP
5 Feb. 5, 2004

Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement by defendant Highland Fruit (LE) (Entered: 02/06/2004)

RECAP
6 Feb. 13, 2004

MINUTES: SCHED CONF Hearing Location: Spokane, WA CR/ER: No before Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle; order forthcoming (LE) (Entered: 02/18/2004)

RECAP
7 Feb. 13, 2004

Scheduling Conference Order by Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle: paraties shall file joint settlement status rpt by 7/27/04 & a tele conf re settlement status rpt will be held 7/30/04 at 8:30 w/court to initiate the call; Disp mtn ddl: 10/18/04; Mtn in limine ddl: 12/20/04; discovery to be complete 10/11/04; trial briefs, voir dire & proposed jury instr ddl 1/24/05; pretrial conference 8:30 1/18/05 Yakima, WA; proposed PTO due 1/13/05; Jury Trial set 9:00 2/7/05 Yakima, WA (cc:all counsel) (LE) Modified on 02/18/2004 (Entered: 02/18/2004)

RECAP
Feb. 13, 2004

FAXED/MAILED order/judgment SCHEDULING CONFERENCE ORDER (cc: to all counsel) (LE) (Entered: 02/13/2004)

PACER
Feb. 13, 2004

FAXED/MAILED order/judgment SCHEDULING CONFERENCE ORDER (cc: to all counsel) (LE)

8 July 16, 2004

Stipulation to allow intervention of Maria R. Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe, and Maria Cardenas and to extend expert disclosure deadlines (SAP) (Entered: 07/16/2004)

RECAP
9 July 16, 2004

PROPOSED RECEIVED Order granting intervention to Maria R. Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe & Maria Cardenas & extending deadlines for expert witness disclosures re: stipulation [8-1] (SAP) (Entered: 07/16/2004)

RECAP
July 22, 2004

Courtroom Deputy Modification (Utility Event) Settlement conf tele 8:30 8/6/04 Spokane, WA; Joint settlement status report due 7/30/04 (RF) (Entered: 07/22/2004)

PACER
10 July 27, 2004

ORDER by Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle (granting Intervention to Maria R Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe and Maria Cardenas and Extending Deadlines for Expert Witness Disclosures [8-1]) (cc: all counsel) (CR) Modified on 07/28/2004 (Entered: 07/28/2004)

RECAP
11 July 28, 2004

Intervenor's COMPLAINT by intervenor-plaintiff (Jury Trial Demanded) (CR) (Entered: 07/29/2004)

RECAP
Aug. 6, 2004

Courtroom Deputy Modification (Utility Event) ; Telephone status conf re set 8:30 10/4/04 Spokane, WA (PW) (Entered: 08/06/2004)

PACER
Aug. 6, 2004

Courtroom Deputy Modification (Utility Event) ; Telephone status conf re set 8:30 10/4/04 Spokane, WA (PW)

Sept. 21, 2004

Courtroom Deputy Modification (Utility Event) ; Telephone status conf set 10:00 9/21/04 Spokane, WA (PW) (Entered: 09/21/2004)

PACER
Sept. 21, 2004

Courtroom Deputy Modification (Utility Event) ; Telephone status conf set 10:00 9/21/04 Spokane, WA (PW)

Oct. 1, 2004

Courtroom Deputy Modification (Utility Event) ; Telephone status conf reset 2:30 10/14/04 Spokane, WA (PW) (Entered: 10/01/2004)

PACER
12 Oct. 12, 2004

JOINT SETTLEMENT STATUS REPORT by Maria Cardenas, Maria R Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/13/2004)

RECAP
13 Oct. 12, 2004

MOTION for Order Amending Scheduling Order 7 by Highland Fruit Growers Inc. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
14 Oct. 12, 2004

Points and Authorities in Support re 13 MOTION to Amend Court's Scheduling Order 7, filed by Highland Fruit Growers Inc. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
15 Oct. 12, 2004

CERTIFIED STATEMENT of Brendan V. Monahan in Support of 13 MOTION to Amend Court's Scheduling Order 7, filed by Highland Fruit Growers Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Stipulated & Proposed Amendments to Scheduling Order)(LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
16 Oct. 12, 2004

MOTION for Order to Expedite by Highland Fruit Growers Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
17 Oct. 14, 2004

RESPONSE to Motion re 13 MOTION to Amend Court's Scheduling Order 7,, 16 MOTION to Expedite filed by Maria Cardenas, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Maria R Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
18 Oct. 14, 2004

DECLARATION by Carmen Flores in Support of 17 Response to Defendant's Motion for Order Amending Scheduling Order by Maria Cardenas, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Maria R Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibits 1 through 3; # 2 Exhibits 4 through 6)(LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
19 Oct. 14, 2004

PROOF OF SERVICE by Maria Cardenas, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Maria R Ramirez, Gabriela Uribe re 17 Response to Motion, 18 Declaration, (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/14/2004)

RECAP
20 Oct. 19, 2004

ORDER GRANTING MOTIONS: granting 13 Motion to Amend/Correct, granting 16 Motion to Expedite. A telephonic scheduling conf will be held 11/9/04 at 8:30 a.m. with pltf to initiate the call. Signed by Judge Fred Van Sickle. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/19/2004)

RECAP
21 Oct. 19, 2004

ORDER REFERRING CASE to Magistrate Judge - for Settlement Conference - Michael W. Leavitt. Signed by Judge Fred Van Sickle. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/19/2004)

RECAP
Oct. 19, 2004

Set/Reset Hearings: Telephonic Scheduling Conference set for 11/9/2004 08:30 AM before Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle w/plaintiff to initiate the call. See Order 20 filed 10/19/04. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/19/2004)

PACER
Oct. 19, 2004

Set/Reset Hearings: Telephonic Scheduling Conference set for 11/9/2004 08:30 AM before Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle w/plaintiff to initiate the call. See Order 20 filed 10/19/04. (LE, Case Administrator)

22 Oct. 25, 2004

ORDER SETTING SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE re 21 Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge - Settlement Conference. Settlement Conference set for 1/12/2005 09:00 AM in Yakima before Magistrate Judge Michael W. Leavitt . Signed by Judge Michael W. Leavitt. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 10/25/2004)

RECAP
23 Nov. 2, 2004

STATUS REPORT Amended Scheduling Certificate by Highland Fruit Growers Inc. (Monahan, Brendan) (Entered: 11/02/2004)

RECAP
Nov. 5, 2004

TEXT NOTICE: NO PDF ATTACHED Reset Scheduling Conference -- move from 11/9/2004 to 11/22/2004 11:30 AM Telephonic Argument before Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle. (KJH, Judicial Assistant)

24 Nov. 22, 2004

Minute Entry for TELEPHONIC proceedings held before Judge Fred Van Sickle : Scheduling Conference held on 11/22/2004. ( Not Reported) (PW, Courtroom Deputy) (Entered: 11/22/2004)

RECAP
25 Nov. 24, 2004

SCHEDULING CONFERENCE ORDER: Pretrial Conference set for 7/5/2005 08:30 AM in Spokane before Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle. Jury Trial set for 7/25/2005 09:00 AM in Yakima before Chief Judge Fred Van Sickle. Signed by Judge Fred Van Sickle. (CR, Case Administrator) (Entered: 11/24/2004)

RECAP
26 Jan. 12, 2005

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Michael W. Leavitt: Settlement Conference held on 1/12/2005. (Reported/Recorded by: FTR-Y) (AG, Courtroom Deputy) (Entered: 01/13/2005)

RECAP
27 Jan. 24, 2005

ORDER CLOSING FILE; this case has been settled; DCE directed to close file. Signed by Judge Fred Van Sickle. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 01/24/2005)

RECAP
28 Jan. 28, 2005

NOTICE by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Consent Decree and Proposed Order of Dismissal (Attachments: # 1)(Flores, Carmen) Modified on 2/9/2005 **NOTE: THIS IS A PROPOSED ORDER; ATTORNEY WILL FORWARD COPY OF ORDER TO JUDGE'S CHAMBERS** (LE, Case Administrator). (Entered: 01/28/2005)

RECAP
29 Feb. 14, 2005

CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER OF DISMISSAL; based on stipulated agreement of the parties, this lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice and without costs or attorneys' fees to any party. Signed by Judge Fred Van Sickle. (LE, Case Administrator) (Entered: 02/14/2005)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Washington

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

IWPR/Wage Project Consent Decree Study

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: Sept. 29, 2003

Closing Date: Feb. 14, 2009

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

Highland Fruit Growers Inc

Case Details

Causes of Action:

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

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Washington 2:03-cv-03132

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Auditing

Develop anti-discrimination policy

Discrimination Prohibition

Expungement of Employment Record

Implement complaint/dispute resolution process

Monitoring

Neutral/Positive Reference

Post/Distribute Notice of Rights / EE Law

Provide antidiscrimination training

Reporting

Retaliation Prohibition

Amount Defendant Pays: 150000

Order Duration: 2005 - 2009

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Disparate Treatment

Harassment / Hostile Work Environment

Discrimination Basis:

Sex discrimination

Affected Sex/Gender(s):

Female

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit

Recommended Citation