The Missouri Human Rights Act provides that after an investigation where the Executive Director finds Probable Cause that discrimination has occurred, and the case in not resolved in the conciliation process, the Chairperson may set the case for hearing before the Administrative Hearings Commission. The hearing officer makes a recommended finding after hearing all of the evidence from both parties. A panel of three commissioners makes the final finding.

Recent Hearing Panel Orders of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights are listed below.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Alvin E. Hightower v. Riceland Foods, Inc.

  The complaint alleged that the Respondent discharged an employee in retaliation for filing a complaint of race discrimination. The company denied the allegation but agreed to pay the Complainant $8,500 to settle.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Crystal Harper Pashia v. Russell Lynn Lawson.

  The complaint charged a landlord with sexual harassment. The complaint alleged the landlord sexually harassed his tenant, repeatedly asking her for sex in exchange for money towards her rent. The landlord denied the allegations but agreed to settle this complaint for $800 and a lake lot and a trailer.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Tim Hubbard v. Amber Realty and Investments, Inc. and Elaine Ward

  The Complainant alleged that the realty company refused to rent an apartment to him because of his disability. The company denied the allegation but agreed to settle the case for $1,500.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Sarah L. Huston v. County of Clark and Roy Gilbert, in his official capacity as Sheriff of Clark County

  The Complainant alleged that the Clark County Sheriff's Department terminated her employment as a Deputy Sheriff because of her gender. The County denied the allegation but agreed to settle the case for $25,000. The County also agreed to provide equal opportunity training for its employees.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Martin v. Metro d/b/a Bi-State Development Agency

  The Complainant is mobility impaired and uses a scooter to get around. He attempted to take the bus to the VA Hospital for a doctor's appointment. He alleged he was having trouble getting his scooter on the bus and the driver told him to just drive his scooter wherever he was going and left him at the bus stop. The Complainant alleged that the Respondent denied him bus services due to his disability. The company denied any discrimination. The case was settled for $7,500.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Kahn v. Gardner

  A prospective tenant alleged that a landlord failed to rent her a house due to her disability. The landlord believed that the prospective tenant had serious health issues that made it a heath risk for her to use the stairs. The case was settled for $1,200.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Rife v. City of Linn Creek Police Department

  A police officer alleged that her department involuntarily put her on unpaid medical leave from her job because she was pregnant even though her doctor had put no restrictions on her work activities. The department then replaced her with a male officer. The City denied discriminating against her. The case settled and the police officer received $49,000 in the settlement.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Ford-Crockett v. Sparrow Capitol Management, Inc.

  An employee alleged that her employer discharged her in retaliation for filing a prior complaint of discrimination against them. She indicated her former employer discharged her within an hour of receiving service of her complaint of discrimination. The case was settled for $25,000.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Rockwell Pilot v. Independence Gas & Speedy Mart

  Complainant alleged that Respondent discharged him due to his National Origin, American. Case settled for $2,500.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Charles Stokes v. Metro truck & Trailer Repair

  Complainant alleged that Respondent discharged him due to his race. Case settled for $8,500.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Martha Schmick vs. Normandy School District

  Complainant alleged that Respondent discriminated against her due to her age in regards to retirement benefits. Case settled for $35,500.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Barbara Bechtel obo Andrea Bechtel vs. City of Valley Park

  Complainant alleged that City failed to make a city park accessible to persons with disabilities. Complainant was not able to get her daughter's wheelchair onto the nature trail at Vance Park from the parking lot. The City only needed to apply a layer of asphalt costing $1,606 to make the trail accessible but the City refused to do so for five (5) years. Hearing Panel Order-Discrimination found. Respondent ordered to pay $16, 080 and cease and desist from further discriminatory practices.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Tammy Barnett vs. Reliable Heat & Air, LLC

  Complainant alleged that Respondent sexually harassed her and constructively discharged her due to her sex, female. Case settled-$39,000. Respondent also was required to formulate an employee manual including anti-discrimination policies, distribute it to all employees and MCHR provided all employees with equal opportunity training.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Shawna Goeller v. Oak Ridge Apartments

  Complainant alleged that the Respondent failed to rent her an apartment or negotiate such rental due to her familial status (two children). Hearing Panel Order- No Discrimination found, case dismissed.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council vs. Albert-Hall Apartments and Willie & Geraldine Ferrell

  Complainant alleged that Apartments advertised to rent to adults only, and discriminated against families with children (familial status). Hearing Panel Order-Discrimination found. Respondent ordered to pay $101 and to cease and desist from further discriminatory practices.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel. Cynthia Romy and Mary Swaim v. Mid-Continent Public Library

  Complainants alleged that Respondent created a racially hostile working environment in that a supervisor regularly used racial epithets in referring to African American patrons and African Americans in general. The two Caucasian Complainants also alleged they were retaliated against because they complained about the hostile work environment. Case settled for $45, 500. Respondent was required to provide equal opportunity training for all of its employees.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel K.B., obo A.B. vs. BSDS Inc., dba Brookside Day School, Inc. and Brookside Charter School

  Complainant alleged that the School refused to reasonably accommodate her daughter's disability. Hearing Panel Order-Discrimination found. Respondent ordered to pay $10,000 and cease and desist from further discriminatory practices.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Crystal L. Lowry, vs. Jody Cole Tech and Jody Cole

  Complainant alleged that Respondent sexually harassed her and discriminated against her due to her sex, female. Hearing Panel Order-Discrimination found. Respondent ordered to pay $58,620 and to cease and desist from further discriminatory practices.

• STATE OF MISSOURI ex rel Cynthia Herron v. BNA Dining

  Complainant alleged that Respondent sexually harassed her and discharged her in retaliation for complaining about the harassment. Case settled-$15,000. Respondent also agreed to get equal opportunity training for all employees, officers and agents.