Please E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to Kent@MoreLaw.Com.
Help support the publication of case reports on MoreLaw
Date: 02-07-2023
Case Style:
Matthew Meinen v. Bi-State Development Agency
Case Number: 4:22-cv-00620
Judge: John A. Ross
Court: United States District Court for the East District of St. Louis (St. Louis County)
Plaintiff's Attorney:
Defendant's Attorney: Corey L. Franklin and Matthew Brain Banocy
Description: St. Louis, Missouri civil rights lawyers represented Plaintiff, who sued Defendant on a employment discrimination theory.
Plaintiff Matthew Meinen (“Meinen”), a Caucasian male, worked as a Transit Security Specialist (“TSS”) Lead for Defendant Bi-State Development Agency (“Bi-State”) from 2013 until he was terminated on May 17, 2021. However, as of early 2021, Meinen began working the day shift. Id. During that time, he began experiencing sexual harassment from a female African-American TSS (“the Harasser”). Id.
Meinen alleged that the Harasser harassed him on several occasions, including by intentionally rubbing her backside on Plaintiff. Although Meinen reported this to both his supervisor and the Harasser's supervisor, the harassment continued. Id. Once, when Meinen was walking in a hallway in civilian attire, the Harasser intentionally blocked Plaintiff's path and told him, “you know you look good without clothes on...I mean, not in uniform.” Id. Although Meinen again reported this incident to the Harasser's supervisor, the Harasser shared information about the harassment with personnel from Meinen's night shift and the Harasser's day shift. Meinen reported both this comment and the Harasser's sharing of the comment to others to the Harasser's supervisor. Nevertheless, several weeks later, the Harasser told Meinen “it's not cheating if it's not in your race” within earshot of personnel from both the night shift and day shift. Id. Meinen again reported this incident to the Harasser's supervisor.
In March 2021, another female TSS working on a different night shift than Meinen submitted a complaint against a male TSS. Both of these TSSs were Caucasian. Bi-State's human resources employee, Amy Krekeler-Weber, investigated this incident, and interviewed Meinen as a potential witness. Meinen directly informed Ms. Krekeler-Weber of the Harasser's actions, and Ms. Krekler-Weber told Meinen that he should write the Harasser a disciplinary warning. Meinen did so and delivered the disciplinary warning to the Harasser. The Harasser admitted her misconduct and stated that she was “just joking.” To Meinen's knowledge, Bi-State did not investigate or take other action against the Harasser. On May 17, 2021, Bi-State terminated Meinen for what he describes as “false or pre-textual reasons.”
Meinen first filed a lawsuit against Bi-State in the Circuit Court of St. Louis City, Missouri on April 21, 2022. (ECF No. 1). Bi-State then removed the case to this Court on June 10, 2022. Id. Shortly thereafter, Bi-State filed a motion to dismiss Meinen's first complaint. However, the Court granted Meinen leave to amend his complaint, and Meinen did so on August 10, 2022.
Meinen's Amended Complaint alleges four counts, each pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: (i) Retaliation (Count I), (ii) Gender Discrimination (Count II), Race Discrimination (Count III), and Hostile Work Environment (Count IV). Id. Bi-State now moves to dismiss each of these counts.
Outcome: 02/07/2023 30 Initial Notification from USCA for 28 Notice of Appeal filed by Matthew Meinen USCA Appeal Number: 23-2240(CLT) (Entered: 02/07/2023)
02/07/2023 31 Briefing Schedule from USCA for 28 Notice of Appeal filed by Matthew Meinen USCA Appeal Number: 23-2240 (See attached document for all other deadlines.)(CLT) (Entered: 02/07/2023)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: