Opinion ID: 2189497
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: MICHAEL A. WOLFF, Judge. Tracy Gilliland sued the Missouri Athletic Club under the Missouri Human Rights Act alleging he was sexually harassed by another male, a manager for the club. The jury returned a verdict for $60,000 in actual damages for constructive discharge and a verdict declaring the athletic club liable for punitive damages. The trial court entered judgment for Gilliland on the verdict, granted the athletic club judgment notwithstanding the verdict on punitive damages, awarded Gilliland $22,000 in attorneys' fees, and denied equitable relief. The case was submitted to the jury on Gilliland's claims that the athletic club discriminated against him on the basis of sex and race, that a club manager had sexually harassed and assaulted him in the workplace, and that he was constructively discharged. The constructive discharge claim, which was not submitted to the jury under the human rights act, was the only claim on which the jury found in favor of Gilliland. On Gilliland's other claims, the jury found in favor of the athletic club. This case comes here solely on Gilliland's appeal of the judgment notwithstanding the verdict on punitive damages, the denial of equitable relief in the form of front pay benefits or reinstatement, and the allegedly inadequate attorneys' fee award. The Missouri Athletic Club chose not to appeal and satisfied the judgment, which included the $60,000 in damages.