IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
WESTERN DIVISION
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
FRED THOMAS, individually;
FRED THOMAS d/b/a Best Western
Scenic Motor Inn; and
STEPHEN THOMAS,
Defendants.
________________________________
I. INTRODUCTION
On January 18, 2001, the United States filed a complaint in this Court
alleging that defendants Fred W. Thomas, individually and d/b/a Best
Western Scenic Motor Inn, and Stephen Thomas ("defendants") violated
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000a et seq., by
discriminating against African Americans and other minorities in the
provision of public accommodations. In its complaint, the United
States alleges that defendants have engaged in a pattern or practice
of denying African Americans and other minorities, on the basis of
their race, color or national origin, the full and equal use and
enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages,
and accommodations of the Best Western Scenic Motor Inn ("Best
Western") located at 773 Batesville Road, Batesville Arkansas.
Specifically, the United States alleges that defendants engaged in the
following discriminatory conduct:
A. denying lodging to African Americans and other minorities who made
in-person inquiries regarding vacancies solely on the basis of
race, color, or national origin, despite the availability of
rooms;
B. instructing Best Western employees to attempt to ascertain the
race or ethnicity of individuals calling for reservations over the
telephone, and to deny accommodations to callers deemed to be
African Americans or members of other minority groups, despite the
availability of rooms;
C. instructing Best Western employees to inform minority callers on
the basis of their race, color or national origin that no rooms
were available when rooms were in fact available;
D. on those occasions when defendants rented rooms to African
SNIPPETS:
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
FRED THOMAS d/b/a Best Western
On January 18, 2001, the United States filed a complaint in this Court alleging that
In its complaint, the United States alleges that defendants have engaged in a pattern or
denying lodging to African Americans and other minorities who made in-person inquiries
ting Best Western employees to inform minority callers on the basis of their race, color or
guests.
The parties agree, however, that in order to avoid protracted and costly litigation, their
Stephen Thomas' wife, Diana Thomas, also performed managerial duties and responsibilities at
It provides standard lodging amenities, such as bed, television, telephone, bath and toilet
At the end of this period, this case will be dismissed by the Court, unless, at least sixty
E. "Public accommodations as defined in Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," -
rtainment as public accommodations.
Violation of this provision shall subject defendants, and any other individuals or entities
Under no circumstances shall the defendants or Diana Thomas provide the new owners, managers,
Violating any federal civil rights law prohibiting discrimination.
Decree, defendants shall deposit in an interest-bearing escrow account approved by the United
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