In the case of Jones v. City of Cincinnati, S.D.Ohio, No. 1:22-cv-530, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 69374 (April 19, 2023), a federal district court held that the applicant could not sue the police department when the right-to-sue letter issued by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (“EEOC”) did not name the party.
In this case, the applicant argued that he was not hired by the police department due to discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In response, the police department argued that the applicant’s right-to-sue letter obtained from the EEOC failed to name a party that the applicant could file suit against and, thus, the applicant may not name the police department as a respondent in this claim. The federal district court agreed with the police department.
In support of its decision in favor of the police department, the federal district court explained that while the applicant followed the correct steps, the right-to-sue letter omitted the name of the applicant. The federal district court further explained that because the right-to-sue letter failed to mention a named party, the applicant did not conclusively show that the applicant complied with the prerequisites for initiating the private civil action.
To read this case, click here.
Authors: Matthew John Markling and the McGown & Markling Team.
Note: This blog entry does not constitute – nor does it contain – legal advice. Legal jurisprudence is like the always-changing Midwestern weather. As a result, this single blog entry cannot substitute for consultation with a McGown & Markling attorney. If legal advice is needed with respect to a specific factual situation, please feel free to contact a McGown & Markling attorney.