throbber
Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 1 of 17
`
`Katharine Chao (CA State Bar No. 247571)
`OLIVIER SCHREIBER & CHAO LLP
`201 Filbert St., Ste. 201
`San Francisco, CA 94133
`Tel. 415-484-0980
`Email: kathy@osclegal.com
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff
`
`
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`
`FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case No.
`
`
`COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES AND
`INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
`
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`LARRY HOUSTON, an individual,
`
`
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`
`
`v.
`
`
`
`FOSTER DAIRY FARMS, a California
`corporation, and CRYSTAL CREAMERY,
`INC., a California corporation,
`
`
`
`
`
`Defendants.
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`
`
`INTRODUCTION
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`Plaintiff Larry Houston (“Plaintiff” or “Mr. Houston”) brings this action against
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`1.
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`Defendants for employment discrimination and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil
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`Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), 42 U.S.C. §§2000e, et seq., the Age Discrimination in
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`Employment Act (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq., and the California Fair Employment and
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 2 of 17
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`Housing Act (“FEHA”), Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 12900, et seq. Despite Plaintiff’s superior
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`qualifications and experience, Defendants’ adverse treatment of Plaintiff because he is an older
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`African-American employee resulted in Defendants’ discriminatory refusal to promote Plaintiff
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`to the Director of Transportation position.
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`PARTIES
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`Plaintiff is a citizen of the State of California. Plaintiff is an African-American
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`2.
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`man who was more than 40 years of age at all relevant times. At all relevant times, Plaintiff
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`was employed by and performed work for Defendants as a Depot Branch Manager in Hayward,
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`California, the County of Alameda.
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`3.
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`Defendant Foster Dairy Farms (“Foster Farms”) is a for-profit California
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`corporation with its principal place of business in Modesto, California, the County of
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`Stanislaus. Foster Farms is engaged in the business of producing and distributing food dairy
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`products.
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`4.
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`Defendant Crystal Creamery, Inc. (“Crystal Creamery”) is a for-profit California
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`Corporation with its principal place of business in Modesto, California, the County of
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`Stanislaus. Crystal Creamery is engaged in the business of producing and distributing food
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`dairy products.
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`5.
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`Foster Farms and Crystal Creamery are collectively referred to herein as
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`“Defendants.”
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`6.
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`Defendants, and each of them, were employers within the meaning of Title VII,
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`the ADEA, and the FEHA.
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 3 of 17
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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` This Complaint seeks damages for violations of the civil rights, privileges, and
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`7.
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`immunities guaranteed by Title VII, the ADEA, as well as California state law.
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`8.
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`This Court has jurisdiction over this lawsuit pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331. This
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`Court has jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367, as these
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`claims arise out of the same case or controversy.
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`9.
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`Plaintiff’s claims arose in the County of Alameda, California. Venue therefore
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`lies in the Northern District of California pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2). Pursuant to Civil
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`Local Rule 3-2(d), this action shall be assigned to the San Francisco Division or the Oakland
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`Division.
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`FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
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`In or around November 2008, Plaintiff began working in Defendants’
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`10.
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`transportation department as a Depot Branch Manager in Hayward, California.
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`11. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereupon alleges, that in the over half
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`century Defendants have been in business, no African-American has ever held the Director of
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`Transportation role. Plaintiff is further informed and believes, and thereupon alleges, that he is
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`only one of two African-Americans ever hired into a manager role in Defendants’ history.
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`12. As a Depot Branch Manager, Plaintiff reports to the Director of Transportation.
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`During the entirety of Plaintiff’s employment, the Director of Transportation position has been
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`held by a Caucasian man, most of whom Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereon alleges,
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`were younger than Plaintiff.
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`13. At all relevant times, Plaintiff has performed the duties of the Depot Branch
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 4 of 17
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`Manager in Hayward satisfactorily.
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`14. Throughout his employment with Defendants, Plaintiff has received positive
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`performance reviews.
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`15. Over the years, whenever the Director of Transportation position became open,
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`Defendants have repeatedly failed to promote Plaintiff to Director of Transportation in favor of
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`less qualified Caucasian candidates and younger candidates. Defendants also failed to post the
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`position so that interested employees such as Plaintiff could apply.
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`16. For example, in or around 2012, a younger Caucasian employee, Colby Bell, was
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`promoted to the position of Director of Transportation without the position being posted.
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`Plaintiff is informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that company policy at the time
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`required Defendants to post the open position.
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`17. Mr. Bell lasted in the Director of Transportation position until around March
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`2014.
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`18.
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`In or around April 2014, Plaintiff learned that Defendants had promoted Doug
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`Peterson, a younger Caucasian man, into the position of Director of Transportation (to replace
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`Colby Bell). Defendants did not post the job before promoting Mr. Peterson. Plaintiff is
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`informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that company policy at the time required
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`Defendants to post the open position.
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`19. Shortly after Mr. Peterson was promoted to Director of Transportation in or
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`around April 2014, Plaintiff contacted Defendants’ human resources department to inquire
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`about why the job had not been posted so Plaintiff could have applied and been considered.
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`Plaintiff never received a satisfactory answer.
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`20. On or around May 23, 2017, Plaintiff filed a charge of discrimination with the
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 5 of 17
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`Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), charge no. 555-2017-00504, against
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`Defendants alleging that Defendants were discriminating against Plaintiff on account of his race
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`and age. Plaintiff alleged in his EEOC charge no. 555-2017-00504 that “[o]n or about February
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`7, 2017, Doug Petersen, Director of Transportation, subjected me to disparate treatment and
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`terms of conditions of employment when it [sic] allowed another white, younger Manager to
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`delegate Purchase Orders to his staff but I was not afforded the same opportunity. On or about
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`February 8, 2017, I sent an email to Mr. Petersen, inquiring about this delegation and being held
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`to a different standard but not equally. I also spoke to my HR Manager, but as of today, I have
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`not heard from HR.”
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`21.
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`In a letter to Plaintiff dated July 14, 2017, the EEOC acknowledged receipt of
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`Plaintiff’s charge no. 555-2017-00504, which was dual-filed with the California Department of
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`Fair Employment and Housing (“DFEH”). Plaintiff is informed and believes, and thereupon
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`alleges, that the EEOC furnished a copy of Plaintiff’s charge no. 555-2017-00504 to Defendants
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`sometime in the summer of 2017.
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`22.
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`In or around November 2017, and while his EEOC charge no. 555-2017-00504
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`was still pending at the EEOC, Plaintiff became aware through word of mouth that the position
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`of Director of Transportation was open, and that Defendants had recently interviewed three
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`younger, Caucasian employees for the position. Defendants had not posted the job listing
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`before interviewing for the position. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and based thereon
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`alleges, that company policy at the time required Defendants to post the open position.
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`23. Shortly after Plaintiff learned that the position was open and that Defendants were
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`already considering individuals for the position, Plaintiff contacted human resources to ask
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`about the position. The human resources representative informed Plaintiff that she was not sure
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 6 of 17
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`Defendant actually intended to fill the position. Shortly thereafter, Plaintiff asked Defendants’
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`then-Chief Executive Officer, Frank Otis, if Plaintiff could be considered for the position. A
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`few days later, Plaintiff interviewed for the position. At the time Plaintiff interviewed for the
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`position, he was approximately 61 years of age.
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`24.
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`In December 2017, Plaintiff was informed that a younger, Caucasian employee,
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`Richard Hunter, had been selected for the Director of Transportation position. Mr. Hunter was
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`less qualified than Plaintiff for the position.
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`25. After Plaintiff became aware that Mr. Hunter had been selected, Plaintiff
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`submitted an intake questionnaire, on or around December 27, 2017, to the EEOC alleging that
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`Defendants had discriminatorily refused to promote Plaintiff to the Director of Transportation
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`position on account of his race and age, in favor of Mr. Hunter.
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`26. On or around February 9, 2018, the EEOC mailed to Plaintiff a Dismissal and
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`Notice of Rights regarding Plaintiff’s EEOC charge no. 555-2017-00504, wherein the EEOC
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`stated that it was closing its file.
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`27. On or around April 6, 2018, Plaintiff signed and submitted to the EEOC his
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`charge no. 556-2018-00208, alleging that Defendants’ refusal to promote him to Director of
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`Transportation in or around December 2017, in favor of Mr. Hunter, constituted employment
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`discrimination on the basis of race and age. Plaintiff’s EEOC charge no. 556-2018-00208 was
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`dual-filed with the DFEH.
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`28. Mr. Hunter only lasted in the Director of Transportation position about 8 months.
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`29. On or around March 18, 2019, Plaintiff filed an amendment to his EEOC charge
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`no. 556-2018-00208 to add the allegation that the refusal to promote Plaintiff in or around
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`December 2017 constituted unlawful retaliation in response to Plaintiff having previously
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 7 of 17
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`complained about Defendants’ discriminatory treatment to the EEOC.
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`30. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that there is not now,
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`nor has there ever been, a Director of Transportation working for Defendants who is African-
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`American. Plaintiff is further informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that Defendants
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`have never promoted an African-American employee to a Director role from within the
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`company.
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`EXHAUSTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES
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`31. On or around April 6, 2018, Plaintiff filed charge no. 556-2018-00208 with the
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`EEOC alleging that the conduct above violated Title VII and the ADEA. On or around March
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`18, 2019, Plaintiff filed an amendment to Charge No. 556-2018-00208 to add retaliation
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`allegations. Plaintiff’s EEOC charge no. 556-2018-00208 was dual-filed with the DFEH. On
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`or around June 18, 2018, while the EEOC was investigating Plaintiff’s charge, the DFEH issued
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`an immediate right-to-sue letter on Plaintiff’s FEHA claims, said letter stating that Plaintiff’s
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`FEHA claims would be tolled during the pendency of the EEOC’s investigation.
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`32. On or around August 25, 2020, the EEOC ceased its investigation of Plaintiff’s
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`charge and issued Plaintiff a Notice of Right to Sue, which Plaintiff received on or around
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`August 31, 2020. Plaintiff timely brought this action thereafter.
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`FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`Race Discrimination In Violation Of Title VII
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`33. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`34. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., prohibits
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`employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race.
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 8 of 17
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`35. As set forth herein, Defendants refused to promote Plaintiff, despite Plaintiff’s
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`superior qualifications, to the position of Director of Transportation in favor of less qualified
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`Caucasian candidates.
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`36. Defendants violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating
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`against Plaintiff with respect to compensation, terms, conditions privileges of employment
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`because of his race.
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`37. Defendants’ actions and omissions have caused Plaintiff severe injury including
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`economic damages and serious physical and emotional distress.
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`38. The conduct of Defendants, through their agents and employees, was malicious,
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`fraudulent, and oppressive and/or done with the knowledge that the company was acting in
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`violation of law, and/or with a willful and conscious disregard for Plaintiff’s rights and the
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`deleterious consequences of Defendants’ actions. As a result, Defendant’s actions justify an
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`award of exemplary and punitive damages to punish the wrongful conduct alleged herein and to
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`deter such conduct in the future.
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`39. For this cause of action, Plaintiff is also entitled to an award of reasonable
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`attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–5(k).
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`Title VII Retaliation
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`40. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`41. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-3(a), prohibits
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`employers from retaliating against employees for engaging in the protected activity of filing an
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`employment discrimination complaint.
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`42. As set forth herein, Defendants retaliated against Plaintiff for engaging in
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`protected activity, including filing complaints with the EEOC concerning employment
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`discrimination based on race and age.
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`43. The protected activity was a substantial motivating factor in the retaliatory action.
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`44. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful conduct, Plaintiff has
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`suffered and will continue to suffer emotional and psychological injuries, and loss of earnings
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`and other employment benefits. Plaintiff is thereby entitled to general and compensatory
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`damages in amounts to be proven at trial.
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`45. The conduct of Defendants, through their agents and employees, was malicious,
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`fraudulent, and oppressive and/or done with the knowledge that the company was acting in
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`violation of law, and/or with a willful and conscious disregard for Plaintiff’s rights and the
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`deleterious consequences of Defendants’ actions. As a result, Defendant’s actions justify an
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`award of exemplary and punitive damages to punish the wrongful conduct alleged herein and to
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`deter such conduct in the future.
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`46. For this cause of action, Plaintiff is also entitled to an award of reasonable
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`attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–5(k).
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`Age Discrimination In Violation of The ADEA
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`47. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`48. The ADEA makes it unlawful for employers and their agents “to fail or refuse to
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 10 of 17
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`hire . . . any individual . . . because of such individual’s age.” 29 U.S.C. § 623(a)(1).
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`49. At all relevant times, Defendants have been, and continue to be, employers within
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`the meaning of the ADEA, 29 U.S.C. § 630(b). At all relevant times, Defendants have been
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`engaged in interstate commerce within the meaning of the ADEA and has employed, and
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`continues to employ, twenty or more employees.
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`50. Plaintiff was approximately 61 years of age in 2017 when Defendants selected a
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`younger, Caucasian candidate, Mr. Hunter, over Plaintiff for the Director of Transportation
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`position despite Plaintiff’s superior qualifications.
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`51. Plaintiff was qualified for the position of Director of Transportation.
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`52. As a direct and proximate result of the foregoing violations of the ADEA,
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`Plaintiff has sustained economic and non-economic damages, including, but not limited to,
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`denial of the wages and other benefits and lost interest on those wages and other benefits.
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`53. Defendants’ violations of the ADEA were intentional and willful. Accordingly,
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`Plaintiff is entitled to an award of liquidated damages doubling the award of interest, wages,
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`lost employment benefits, and other compensation lost to him as a result of Defendants’
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`discriminating against him on the basis of his age. 29 U.S.C. § 216(b).
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`54. For this cause of action, Plaintiff is also entitled to an award of reasonable
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`attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 216(b).
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`
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`ADEA Retaliation
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`55. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`56. Defendants committed unlawful employment practices when they discriminated
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`against Plaintiff for his efforts to oppose age discrimination prohibited by the ADEA, in
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`violation of the ADEA, 29 U.S.C. § 623(d).
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`57. Defendants’ violation of the ADEA was willful and Plaintiff seeks liquidated
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`damages for each violation. 29 U.S.C. § 216(b).
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`58. Defendants’ violations of the ADEA were intentional and willful. Accordingly,
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`Plaintiff is entitled to an award of liquidated damages doubling the award of interest, wages,
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`lost employment benefits, and other compensation lost to him as a result of Defendants’
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`discriminating against him on the basis of his age. 29 U.S.C. § 216(b).
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`59. For this cause of action, Plaintiff is also entitled to an award of reasonable
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`attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 216(b).
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`FIFTH CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`Race Discrimination In Violation Of The FEHA
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`60. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`61. At all times herein mentioned, the FEHA was in full force and effect and fully
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`binding upon Defendants. Plaintiff was a member of a group protected by the statute, in
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`particular section 12940(a), prohibiting discrimination in employment based on race or color.
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`Each of the Defendants was at all relevant times an “employer” within the meaning of the
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`FEHA, Cal. Gov’t Code § 12926(d).
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`62. Defendants’ refusal to promote Plaintiff to the position of Director of
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`Transportation in favor of Caucasian candidates constitutes discrimination based on race and is
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 12 of 17
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`a violation of Cal. Gov’t Code § 12940(a).
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`63. As a direct, foreseeable and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions,
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`Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer substantial losses in earnings and other
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`employment benefits and has incurred other economic losses.
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`64. As a further direct, foreseeable and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful
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`actions, Plaintiff has suffered emotional distress, humiliation, shame, and embarrassment all to
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`the Plaintiff’s damage in an amount to be proven at time of trial.
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`65. Defendants committed the acts described herein maliciously, fraudulently, and
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`oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring Plaintiff, from an improper and evil motive
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`amounting to malice, and in conscious disregard for the rights of Plaintiff. Plaintiff is thus
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`entitled to recover punitive damages from Defendants in an amount according to proof.
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`66. For this cause of action, Plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs,
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`and expert fees pursuant to California Government Code section 12965(b).
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`
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`SIXTH CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`Age Discrimination In Violation Of The FEHA
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`67. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`68. The FEHA, in California Government Code Section 12940(a), prohibits any
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`employer from discharging a person from employment, or discriminating against a person in
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`compensation or in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of that person’s
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`age.
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`69. Plaintiff’s age was a substantial motivating factor in Defendants’ decision not to
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 13 of 17
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`promote Plaintiff into the Director of Transportation position in favor of younger candidates.
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`This violates the FEHA.
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`70. As a direct, foreseeable and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions,
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`Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer substantial losses in earnings and other
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`employment benefits and has incurred other economic losses.
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`71. As a further direct, foreseeable and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful
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`actions, Plaintiff has suffered emotional distress, humiliation, shame, and embarrassment all to
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`the Plaintiff's damage in an amount to be proven at time of trial.
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`72. Defendants committed the acts described herein maliciously, fraudulently, and
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`oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring Plaintiff, from an improper and evil motive
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`amounting to malice, and in conscious disregard for the rights of Plaintiff. Plaintiff is thus
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`entitled to recover punitive damages from Defendants in an amount according to proof.
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`73. For this cause of action, Plaintiff is entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs,
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`and expert fees pursuant to California Government Code section 12965(b).
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`SEVENTH CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`FEHA Retaliation
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`74. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`75. Pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 12940(h), it is an unlawful employment practice
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`for an employer to discriminate against any person because the person has opposed any
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`practices forbidden under the FEHA.
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`76. Plaintiff complained to the EEOC about the workplace discrimination he
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`COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND JURY DEMAND
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 14 of 17
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`experienced on account of his race and age as an employee of Defendants. At all relevant
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`times, Defendants were aware that Plaintiff had complained to the EEOC. In retaliation for his
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`complaints about discrimination, Defendants denied Plaintiff promotion to the Director of
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`Transportation position.
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`77. As a direct, foreseeable and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions,
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`Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer losses in earnings and other employment benefits
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`and has incurred other economic losses.
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`78. As a direct, foreseeable, and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions,
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`Plaintiff has suffered substantial emotional distress, humiliation, shame, and embarrassment, all
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`to the Plaintiff’s damage in an amount to be proven at the time of trial.
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`79. Defendants committed the action herein maliciously, fraudulently, and
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`oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring Plaintiff, from an improper and evil motive
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`amounting to malice, and in conscious disregard of Plaintiff’s rights. Plaintiff is thus entitled to
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`recover punitive damages from Defendants in an amount according to proof.
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`80.
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`In connection with this cause of action, Plaintiff is entitled to reasonable
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`attorney’s fees, costs, and expert fees pursuant to California Government Code section
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`12965(b).
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`
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`EIGHTH CAUSE OF ACTION
`(By Plaintiff Against Defendants)
`Failure to Prevent Discrimination And Retaliation In Violation Of The FEHA
`
`81. Plaintiff re-alleges and incorporates by reference all preceding paragraphs as
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`though fully set forth herein.
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`82. Pursuant to California Government Code section 12940(k), it is an unlawful
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`COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND JURY DEMAND
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 15 of 17
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`
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`employment practice for an employer to fail to take all reasonable steps to prevent workplace
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`discrimination and retaliation from occurring.
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`83. On information and belief, Defendants did not take all reasonable steps to prevent
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`discrimination and retaliation from occurring. On information and belief, at all relevant times,
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`Defendants did not have appropriate policies, procedures, practices, guidelines, rules, and/or
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`trainings regarding the prevention of race and age discrimination and retaliation in the
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`workplace. Defendants’ conduct as alleged herein constitutes a violation of Section 12940(k).
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`84. As a direct, foreseeable and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions,
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`Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer losses in earnings and other employment benefits
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`and has incurred other economic losses.
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`85. As a direct, foreseeable, and proximate result of Defendants’ unlawful actions,
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`Plaintiff has suffered substantial emotional distress, humiliation, shame, and embarrassment, all
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`to Plaintiff’s damage in an amount to be proven at the time of trial.
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`86. Defendants committed the action herein maliciously, fraudulently, and
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`oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring Plaintiff, from an improper and evil motive
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`amounting to malice, and in conscious disregard of Plaintiff’s rights. Plaintiff is thus entitled to
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`recover punitive damages from Defendants in an amount according to proof.
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`87.
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`In connection with this cause of action, Plaintiff is entitled to reasonable
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`attorney’s fees, costs, and expert fees pursuant to California Government Code section
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`12965(b).
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`
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief as set forth below.
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff seeks judgment against Defendants awarding Plaintiff the
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`COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND JURY DEMAND
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 16 of 17
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`following forms of relief:
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`a) An award of all general and special damages that are established at trial;
`b) An award of back pay and front pay for his lost wages and benefits;
`c)
`Instatement of Plaintiff to the Director of Transportation position;
`d) An award of compensatory damages for emotional harm, and/or physical injury;
`e) An award of punitive damages for Defendants’ malicious and/or recklessly
`indifferent violation of his civil rights;
`f) An award of actual and reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and litigation
`expenses as provided by law, including 42 U.S.C. § 2000e–5(k), Cal. Gov’t Code
`§ 12965(b);
`g) Pre-judgment interest on all amounts awarded as allowed by law;
`h) Post judgment interest;
`i) A supplemental award to cover any adverse tax consequences of the judgment;
`j) An award and entry of injunctive relief prohibiting Defendants, and each of them,
`from engaging in discriminatory employment practices and requiring Defendants
`to undertake training and other efforts to eradicate unlawful discrimination in the
`workplace; and
`k) Such other equitable, legal, or additional relief as may be appropriate and just.
`
`Dated: November 25, 2020
`
`OLIVIER SCHREIBER & CHAO LLP
`
`By:______________________________
`/s/ Katharine Chao
` Katharine Chao
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff LARRY HOUSTON
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`- 16 -
`COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND JURY DEMAND
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`Case 3:20-cv-08345-SK Document 1 Filed 11/25/20 Page 17 of 17
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`DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
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`Under Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff hereby requests a jury
`trial on all claims so triable.
`
`OLIVIER SCHREIBER & CHAO LLP
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`Dated: November 25, 2020
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`/s/ Katharine Chao
`By:______________________________
` Katharine Chao
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`Attorneys for Plaintiff LARRY HOUSTON
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`COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AND JURY DEMAND
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`

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