Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
Ferrara Candy Company agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accuses the business of discriminating against potential workers simply because they are African-American.
Plaintiffs Brian Lucas, Aronzo Davis, Torrence Vaughans and Maurice Milton filed the class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and all others seeking employment at the Ferrara Candy Company, either directly or through two staffing agencies known as Labor Power and REM.
According to the lawsuit, the company limited or completely excluded African-American workers from being hired by Ferrara for positions of Machine Operator, Mogul Cook, Engrosser, Janitor, Quality Control Technician or Shipping Clerk.
The plaintiffs claim that they were steered away from available jobs at Ferrara by the staffing agencies who instead hired Latinos for those positions.
Ferrara, Labor Power and REM denied all allegations of wrongdoing but decided to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the cost of further litigation.
Who’s Eligible
The Ferrara Candy class action settlement is open to all Ferrara Direct Applicant Class Members and all African-Americans who sought a work assignment through REM or through Labor Power and were otherwise eligible to work at Ferrara but were not assigned or hired to work at the company between Feb. 27, 2009 and Dec. 22, 2015.
Potential Award
Varies.Â
The Ferrara Candy Company class action settlement will pay each Class Member who files a valid Claim Form an equal share of the $1.5 million fund, up to $7,500 each.
Proof of Purchase
N/A
Class Members must file a valid and timely Claim Form to receive a portion of the Settlement Fund.
Claim Form
Claim Form Deadline
05/03/2016
Case Name
Lucas, et al. v. Ferrara Candy Company, et al., Case No. 1:13-cv-01525, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division
Final Hearing
11/29/16
UPDATE: As of July 15, 2016 the final hearing was scheduled for July 21, 2016. Â However, on July 14, 2016 a joint motion was filed with the court requesting the final hearing be continued to September 2016. Â We appreciate your ongoing patience. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.Â
UPDATE 2: On Sept. 8, 2016, the court granted a joint motion to reschedule the final hearing to November 3, 2016. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.Â
UPDATE 3: On Nov. 4, 2016. the final hearing was rescheduled for November 29, 2016.
UPDATE 4: On Dec. 2, 2016, the court granted the Ferrara Candy Company settlement final approval. Â There is a 30 day period in which appeals can be filed. Â Claims will not be paid until after the appeals period expires, and there are not any appeals filed. Â Please keep checking Top Class Actions for updates. Â We will let our viewers know if any appeals are filed.
UPDATE 5: On Jan. 12, 2017, Top Class Actions viewers who filed valid claims for the Ferrara discrimination class action settlement began receiving checks worth as much as $904.82!
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Lucas v. Ferrara Candy Company
c/o GCG
P.O. Box 35100
Seattle, WA 98124-1100
888-586-9841
info@gardencitygroup.com
Class Counsel
Christopher J. Williams
Alvar Ayala
WORKERS’ LAW OFFICE, PC
Joseph M. Sellers
Shaylyn Cochran
COHEN, MILSTEIN, SELLERS & TOLL, PLLC
Defense Counsel
William Francis Dugan
Cintra Bentley McArdle
Richard Patrick McArdle
SEYFARTH SHAW LLP
Lisa Handler Ackerman
Kimberly Elizabeth Blair
WILSON ELSER MOSKOWITZ EDELMAN & DICKER, LLP
Regina Worley Calabro, Esq.
OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART, P.C.
Kelly Meghan Ross
Tina B. Solis
NIXON PEABODY LLP
Jill C. Taylor
CITY OF CHICAGO – LAW DEPARTMENT
Join a Free Wage & Hour Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you were forced to work off the clock or without overtime pay within the past 3 years, you have rights – and you don’t have to take on the company alone. You may be eligible to join a free class action lawsuit investigation against your employer and seek compensation for unpaid wages.
Â
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
432 thoughts onFerrara Candy Company Discrimination Class Action Settlement
Call to the lawyer office was a disappointment. I will not get any part of this settlement for reason unknown to me right now. Only to be told I will receive a letter by Friday explaining why. How can 300+ people be excluded from the settlement now. This is not fair at all.
I got a letter ineligibility because they claim I did not send claim form back in time.I got claim form and tax form mailed them back the next day.
We need to look into this, something ain’t right
I rec’d a letter stating I wouldn’t be getting anything because I didn’t respond by 10/28, then another letter stating I sent in to many w9 forms. they are full of shit and I am consulting my own attorney
I was denied too.I call this bullshit as well. Its makes no sense to me at all to be denied.
Rich boy are you serious
I heard we would be receiving at least $4,000 I don’t know where you people got under $1000
info came from ferrara law firm,but if you don’t mine me asking,where did you get your info from? hope you are right,i wont be mad at you.
Rich boy, where did you get this information about 4000 bucks, because when I called the guy clearly said a little under 1000.
Yes Rich boy I called to gave my info and just under 1000 was told Rich boy are you a troll?
I just received a letter today saying I am not elgible because the IRS indicated the Social Security Nunber I provided was not in use or did not match the name I providded.
that’s the weakest lie I ever heard, they could have come up with a lie better than that.i am seeing this being a class action lawsuit all by its self.too many people denied for know good reason.please whole to your letters.
I was denied too, they told me the IRS is saying the social security numbers did not match what the IRS has in their database. I know that to be a lie! Its terrible… This company is a fraud…
Yes I truly believe that
I received a letter today stating that I’m ineligible because of my failure to return Medicare form, W-9, and W-4.. I’m so confused because I received two sets of forms(one at my old home address and also at my new address) I returned BOTH! I actually had them postmarked and mailed back in the same day I received the forms in the mail… there has to be a mistake or either just a generic letter thats being sent out giving us wrong information because I just can’t believe that they never received either of my forms… after I sent them back to the address that they disclosed for me to send them back to… I’m totally disappointed in how this has all turned out… when I know without a doubt I should have been a part of this settlement…
I just called and was told I am eligible, and checks will be mailed on January 10th as everyone originally stated… the confusion was that I sent both sets of forms back and they only honored one… Thank God! Good luck to everyone else…
Can someone tell me what new has happened. I know dam well I was eligible for a piece of the settlement. Now I am being told I am not and i can’t get a answer why, only I will be receiving a letter soon. What the hell is going on.