Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02974/USCOURTS-cand-3_06-cv-02974-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:2000e Job Discrimination (Employment)

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CONSENT DECREE Page 1

WILLIAM R. TAMAYO -- #084965 (CA)

JONATHAN T. PECK -- #12303 (VA)

CINDY O'HARA -- #114555 (CA)

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

 COMMISSION

San Francisco District Office

350 The Embarcadero, Suite 500

San Francisco, California 94105

Telephone: (415) 625-5653

Facsimile: (415) 625-5657

Attorneys for Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

COMMISSION,

Plaintiff,

v.

BALLY TOTAL FITNESS CORPORATION,

Respondent.

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Civil Action No. C-06-2974 JSW

CONSENT DECREE

Plaintiff Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“Commission”) filed this action

under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 to

correct alleged unlawful employment practices on the basis of national origin (Indian) and/or

religion (Sikh), and to provide appropriate relief to Sukhdev Dhaliwal whom the Commission

alleged was adversely affected by such practices. The Commission alleged that Defendant Bally

Total Fitness Corporation (“Bally”) subjected Mr. Dhaliwal to discrimination based on his

national origin and/or religion, in violation of Title VII. Defendant has denied and continues to

deny the Commission’s allegations concerning liability and damages. The Commission and

Defendant Bally now seek to resolve this action as to each other and as between Bally and

Sukhdev Dhaliwal (“Charging Party”) without further contested litigation through the instant

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1The five “Fresno Area Clubs” are:

1. Clovis, 781 W. Shaw Ave., Clovis, CA 93612

2. Blackstone & Shaw, 5137 N. Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA 93710

3. First & Herndon, 6735 North First St., Herndon Village Shopping Center, Fresno, CA

93710

4. Shaw & Blythe, 4308 W. Shaw Ave., Shaw View Plaza, Fresno, CA 93722

5. Madera, 2330 W. Cleveland Ave., Hallmark Towne Center, Madera, CA 93637

CONSENT DECREE Page 2

Consent Decree. This resolution does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of

Bally, nor constitute a finding on the allegations stated in the Commission’s Complaint.

The Court has reviewed this Consent Decree in light of the pleadings, the record herein,

and the applicable law, and now approves this Consent Decree. 

THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED:

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and the parties to this action. 

This Court retains jurisdiction over this Consent Decree during its term.

2. This Consent Decree constitutes a full and final resolution of the Commission’s

claims against Bally in this action.

3. This Consent Decree will become effective upon its entry by the Court, and will

expire according to its terms and without the need for further action by the Court or parties.

4. This Consent Decree is final and binding upon the parties to it, their successors

and assigns.

5. The Commission and Bally will each bear its own costs and attorneys fees in this

action.

GENERAL INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

6. Bally’s current managers and supervisors at the Fresno Area Clubs1 will comply

with all requirements of Title VII with respect to lawful hiring practices.

7. Bally’s current managers and supervisors at the Fresno Area Clubs agree not to

retaliate against Charging Party, or any other person, for participating in any manner in the

Commission’s investigation and the proceedings in this case. 

SPECIAL INJUNCTIVE RELIEF

Training

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CONSENT DECREE Page 3

8. Bally will use an outside consultant, paid for by Bally, to provide equal

employment opportunity training concerning lawful hiring practices to current managers and

supervisors at the five Fresno Area Clubs during the twelve (12) month term of this Consent

Decree, such term to be measured from the entry of this Consent Decree. The training will

specifically include the subject of avoiding discrimination based on national origin and religion in

the hiring process.

9. If Connie Gordeau is no longer employed with the Fresno Area Clubs, but

continues to be employed by Bally during the term of this Consent Decree, Bally will ensure that

Ms. Gordeau attends the trainings, or is given equivalent training at the location where she is

employed.

Record Keeping and Reports

10. Within sixty (60) days after completing each training session described in

paragraphs 8 and 9, Bally will mail to counsel for the Commission a report containing the name

of the individual or organization which did the training, the date of training, an outline of the

training content, a list of all attendees and their job titles, and copies of pertinent materials

distributed at the training. 

11. At least two times during the term of this Consent Decree, Bally will notify

counsel for the Commission whether it has received notice of any formal, written complaints of

hiring discrimination based on national origin or religion from employees or applicants for

employment in the Fresno Area Clubs, what steps were taken in response to the complaint(s), and

how the situation was resolved. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “formal” means filed

with an administrative agency.

MONETARY RELIEF

12. Bally will pay the total sum of $24,000.00, to Charging Party Sukhdev Dhaliwal as

monetary damages in complete satisfaction of the Commission’s claims against Bally as set forth

in its Complaint. This sum will be paid by check directly to Charging Party within fifteen (15)

business days of the entry of this Consent Decree, and will be mailed to him via certified mail at

an address to be provided to Bally by the Commission. A copy of said check and any transmittal

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CONSENT DECREE Page 4

letter will be sent to Commission counsel Cindy O’Hara at the San Francisco District Office of

the Commission.

 SCOPE AND EXPIRATION OF CONSENT DECREE

13. This Consent Decree represents the full and final resolution of EEOC charge on

which this action was based. 

14. This Consent Decree will be in effect for one (1) year, and will expire at midnight

of the date one (1) year after its entry by the Court, provided that Bally has substantially complied

with the terms of this Consent Decree. Bally will be deemed to have substantially complied if the

Court has not made any findings or orders that Bally has failed to comply with any of the terms of

this Decree. 

15. Upon expiration of this Decree, the Court’s jurisdiction over the matter shall

conclude, unless the Court has, in the interest of justice, extended the Decree.

E-filing concurrence: I, Cindy O’Hara, attorney for Plaintiff Commission, attest that I

have obtained the concurrence of Rod Fliegel, attorney for Defendant Bally Total Fitness

Corporation for the lodging of this Consent Decree.

On Behalf of Plaintiff Commission:

Dated: April 13, 2007

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

COMMISSION

______/S/____________________

WILLIAM R. TAMAYO

Regional Attorney

______/S/____________________

JONATHAN PECK

Supervisory Trial Attorney

______/S/____________________

CINDY O’HARA

Senior Trial Attorney

On Behalf of Defendant:

Dated: April 13, 2007

LITTLER MENDELSON

_______/S/_______________________

ROD FLIEGEL

Attorneys for Defendant Bally Total Fitness

Corporation

ORDER

It is so ordered.

Dated:_____________________ ____________________________________

U.S. District Court Judge

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and adjudged. The Clerk is directed to close the file. April 18, 2007

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