Benezra & Culver, P.C.>Employment Law > Representative Cases > Law Firm Wins Judgment for Sexual Harrassment and Employment Discrimination

On September 20, 2007, in Vincent Crowe and Larry Ford, II v. South Adams County Water and Sanitation District, USDC Case No. 05-CV-00833-RPM-MJW, Benezra & Culver prevailed on a retaliation claim on behalf of its clients.

Plaintiffs Vincent Crowe and Larry Ford, II, are both long-term employees of Defendant. Both worked as Inspectors in the Water District’s Development Department and had exemplary performance records with no history of discipline.

In March of 2004, Plaintiffs opposed acts of sexual discrimination and harassment by a manager. Soon thereafter, the District terminated Mr. Crowe’s employment and demoted Mr. Ford from the position of Field Inspector II to the position of Field Inspector I and placed him on probation for a year. At trial, Plaintiffs proved that those actions were taken in retaliation for their opposition to sexual harassment and discrimination in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

After a four-day trial, on September 20, 2007, a six-person jury returned a verdict in favor of Plaintiffs. The jury then awarded Mr. Crowe $110,000 and Mr. Ford $40,000 in emotional distress damages. After the parties reached a stipulation regarding economic damages and equitable relief, the Court entered its Order for Entry of Final Judgment. In that Order, the Court entered judgment in Mr. Crowe’s favor in the amount of $227,846.92 and in Mr. Ford’s favor in the amount of $85,829.36. Counsel was then awarded $186,000 in attorney fees and costs.