Ferrara Candy Company Discrimination Class Action Settlement

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. 

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

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

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.  However, on July 14, 2016 a joint motion was filed with the court requesting the final hearing be continued to September 2016.  We appreciate your ongoing patience. Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more. 

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. 

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.  There is a 30 day period in which appeals can be filed.  Claims will not be paid until after the appeals period expires, and there are not any appeals filed.  Please keep checking Top Class Actions for updates.  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

www.FerraraClassActionSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Lucas v. Ferrara Candy Company
c/o GCG
P.O. Box 35100
Seattle, WA 98124-1100
888-586-9841

[email protected]

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.