Description:

Feron Shorter, Jr. sued Hartford Financial Service and Mary Anne Rhodes for: Sexual harrassment in violation of Title VII; Race and sex discrimination in violation of Title VII; Violation of 42 USC 1981; Retaliation in violation of 42 USC 1981; Race and sex discrimination in violation of the Fair Employment Practices Act; Retaliation in violation of CFEPA; Intentional infliction of emotional distress; Negligent infliction of emotional distress; Breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; Tortious interference with contract (against Mary Anne Rhodes only); Defamation (against Mary Anne Rhodes only); and Invation of privacy.

The Hartford contended that Mr. Shorter was terminated after he admitted violating company policy during an investigation into a complaint filed by Mary Anne Rhodes against Mr. Shorter on January 21, 2002. In her complaint, Ms. Rhodes stated that Mr. Shorter was a former boyfriend with whom she lived in 2001. She stated that she had provided Mr. Shorter will her voice mail password during the course of their relationship, but that during the previous weekend, Mr. Shorter accessed her voice mail account and changed her password making it impossible for her to check her messages at work. Ms. Rohodes further stated that she feared Mr. Shorter because he had physically abused her, threatened her, threatened members of her family and had shown her a gun.

The Hartford denied that Mr. Shorter's race and sex were not in any way related to his decision to terminatge Mr. Shorter's employment. The Hartford further denied that Mr. Shoter was sexually harassed or that it disregarded his alleged complaint of sexual harassment. The Hartford denied that it retaliated against Mr. Shorter, that it negligently or intentionally inflicted emotional distress upon Mr. Shorter, that it breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing or that it invaded Mr. Shorter's privacy. The Hartford also contended that Mr. Shorter was employed at-will and could be terminated at any time.

Outcome: The jury returned a verdict against Mr. Shorter on his sexual harassment claim. It found in his favor on his claim that he was discriminated against becuase of his race or gender. It found against Mr. Shorter on his claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress. The jury awarded Mr. Shorter $85,000 in general compensatory damages and $170,000 in back pay for lost wages and benefits since his termination.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown