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Date: 02-24-2015

Case Style: State of Oklahoma v. Chinese Chef Buffet

Case Number: CJ-2014-00049

Judge: Robert G. Haney

Court: District Court, Ottawa County, Oklahoma

Plaintiff's Attorney: Chris Thrutchley, Deirdre O. Dexter and E. Scott Pruitt

Defendant's Attorney: Andrew Doney

Description: Miami, OK - The State of Oklahoma sued Chinese Chef Buffet and its owner, Yun Chang, claiming that defendants violated the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act by sexually harassing employees and retaliating against them for complaining.

The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office issued the following press release regarding the case:
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt secured a judgment in a suit against a Miami restaurant owner accused by employees of widespread predatory sexual harassment. The judgment is the first of its kind under the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act since the 1970s.

“The Attorney General’s Office brought swift action against this business and its owner not only to protect its employees from both discrimination and harassment, but also to send a strong message that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in Oklahoma,” Attorney General Pruitt said. “No one should ever be subjected to discrimination or harassment. The terms of this judgment will ensure Chinese Chef Buffet and its owner comply with the law and provide a safe work environment free from any form of sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation.”

The consent judgment, which will remain in effect for five years, requires Yun Chang, owner of Chinese Chef’s Buffet, Inc., to comply with the Oklahoma Anti-Discrimination Act (OADA). Chang has agreed to pay $21,000 to resolve the suit. Along with the payment, Chang will be required to provide harassment and discrimination prevention training for all employees of his restaurant to ensure compliance with the OADA. Chang also must adopt legally compliant anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and procedures, post a notice in the workplace regarding the judgment and regarding his duty to comply with the law, and submit periodic reports to OCRE to prove Chang’s ongoing compliance efforts for five years.

Following the full completion of the five-year term of the judgment, OCRE will dismiss the proceedings against Chang and Chinese Chef Buffet.

In April 2014, Attorney General Pruitt through the Office of Civil Rights Enforcement filed a lawsuit against Chang and his restaurant. According to several witnesses, Chang preyed upon employees by engaging in severe and pervasive sexual harassment. Other alleged abuses included intentional retaliation against three victims who reported Chang to the OCRE.

The OCRE investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. When necessary, the OCRE also files civil actions to enforce Oklahoma’s anti-discrimination laws. To help promote compliance with the law, the OCRE provides educational and training opportunities for employers, civil rights interest groups, and citizens throughout the state.

If you believe you have been discriminated against in employment or if you believe you have been discriminated against in housing pursuant to the provisions of OADA, call the OCRE at (918) 581-2910.

Outcome: The parties agreed to the entry of a judgment by the Court requiring the defendants to pay $21,000 in compensation to former employees and to strictly company with the Anti-Discrimination Act.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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