Opinion ID: 312272
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The INA and EEOC Litigation

Text: 10 On July 8, 1970, Stebbins filed an independent action, which he styled Complaint in the Nature of a Bill of Review, against INA and its subsidiaries, the EEOC, and certain of its officials (Civil Action No. 2036-70). He alleged that various improprieties had occurred in the earlier litigation, which vitiated its effect. In addition, he set forth a new claim, alleging that on June 18, 1970-one day after the trial judge had stated from the bench that summary judgment would be granted in the first INA suit-he had filed a formal employment application with INA and that the company had refused to hire him. 11 The District Court dismissed this action as to INA on November 9, 1970, relying on the res judicata effect of the June 30 judgment to bar Stebbins from relitigating the issue of his employability against the same defendants. Stebbins then filed a notice of appeal in forma pauperis, which the trial court denied as patently frivolous. Subsequently, when his claim against the EEOC was dismissed on January 5, 1971, Stebbins filed another notice of appeal and paid the filing fee on January 18. 12 This case has consistently been treated as a joint appeal against both INA and the EEOC. We pass by the motions ascribable to Stebbins' limited means, 9 and examine the issues he has raised.B. The Keystone Litigation 13 On December 19, 1969, Stebbins filed suit against the Keystone Insurance Company (Keystone) and its affiliates (Civil Action No. 3588-69), also alleging violations of Title VII and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1981. His complaint focused on two letters he had received from Keystone-in May of 1968 and in November of 1969 -refusing to employ him. This suit and Stebbins' first action against INA were pursued concurrently in different trial courts. Stebbins and Keystone cross-moved for summary judgment; and their motions were heard on July 1, 1970-the day after the memorandum was issued in the INA case. 14 The court ruled orally-and in writing on July 8, 1970-that Keystone's refusal to hire, based on the fact that Stebbins had engaged in litigation against the company, violated 42 U.S.C. Sec. 2000e-3(a); and Stebbins was granted partial summary judgment. But the remainder of Stebbins' complaint was dismissed on the ground that, as a predicate to claiming discrimination in hiring, the plaintiff must be qualified for the position he seeks. The court held that the issue of Stebbins' employability had been decided adversely in the first INA case and that Stebbins was therefore collaterally estopped to relitigate the matter against Keystone, citing Lober v. Moore, 135 U. S.App.D.C. 146, 417 F.2d 714 (1969). Finally, the court stated that plaintiff's lack of qualifications deprive him of any right to claim damages under any aspect of the complaint. 15 Stebbins appeals from: (1) the ruling on collateral estoppel; (2) failure to award injunctive relief or punitive damages; and (3) failure to award counsel fees.