Marshall v. GE Marshall Inc et al
Filing
188
OPINION AND ORDER The Motion for Summary Judgment DE 151 filed by MBIP, Tower Road, CRCFR Properties, and Joliet Road Properties is GRANTED; the Motion for Summary Judgment DE 153 filed by Marie and Karen Marshall is GRANTED; the Motion for Summa ry Judgment DE 155 filed by G.E. Marshall and M5 is GRANTED; the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment DE 157 filed by Casa Marshall is DENIED; and the Motion for Summary Judgment DE 165 filed by the Marshall Brothers is GRANTED. The defendants m otions for summary judgment addressed all of the plaintiffs claims. Judgment is to be entered in favor of the defendants. Because the court has decided the motions on the briefs, the motions for a hearing on the motions for summary judgment DEs 170 & 181 are DENIED. The Marshall Brothers Objection and Motion to Strike Portions of Casa Marshalls Motion for Partial Summary Judgment DE 172 is DENIED AS MOOT. Signed by Magistrate Judge Andrew P Rodovich on 4/14/14. (kjp)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
HAMMOND DIVISION
CASA MARSHALL,
Plaintiff,
v.
G.E. MARSHALL, INC., et al.,
Defendants.
)
)
)
) CAUSE NO: 2:09-cv-198 APR
)
)
)
)
)
OPINION AND ORDER
This matter is before the court on the Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 151] filed by
the defendants, MBIP, LLC, Tower Road, LLC, CRCFR Properties, LLC, and Joliet Road
Properties, LLC, on December 16, 2013; the Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 153] filed by
the defendants Marie Marshall, Trustee of the Glen E. Marshall Marital Trust, and Karen
Marshall, Beneficiary of the Glen E. Marshall Marital Trust, on December 16, 2013; the Motion
for Summary Judgment [DE 155] filed by the defendants G.E. Marshall, Inc. and M5, Inc. on
December 16, 2013; the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [DE 157] filed by the plaintiff,
Casa Marshall, on December 16, 2013; the Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 165] filed by the
defendants, Clinton E. Marshall, Frank A. Marshall, Roger W. Marshall, and Ross J. Marshall
(the Marshall Brothers) on December 16, 2013; the Motion to Seal [DE 168] filed by Casa on
December 16, 2013; the Motion for Hearing on the Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 170]
filed by the defendants on December 16, 2013; the Objection and Motion to Strike Portions of
Casa Marshall’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [DE 172] filed by the Marshall Brothers
on February 12, 2014; the Motion for Hearing on Casa Marshall’s Motion for Summary
1
Judgment [DE 181] filed by Casa on February 12, 2014; and the Motion for Leave to File Sealed
Documents [DE 182] filed by Casa on February 12, 2014.
Based on the following reasons, the Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 151] filed by
MBIP, Tower Road, CRCFR Properties, and Joliet Road Properties is GRANTED; the Motion
for Summary Judgment [DE 153] filed by Marie and Karen Marshall is GRANTED; the Motion
for Summary Judgment [DE 155] filed by G.E. Marshall and M5 is GRANTED; the Motion for
Partial Summary Judgment [DE 157] filed by Casa Marshall is DENIED; the Motion for
Summary Judgment [DE 165] filed by the Marshall Brothers is GRANTED; the Motion to Seal
[DE 168] filed by Casa is GRANTED; the Motion for Hearing on the Motion for Summary
Judgment [DE 170] filed by the defendants is DENIED; the Objection and Motion to Strike
Portions of Casa Marshall’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [DE 172] filed by the
Marshall Brothers is DENIED AS MOOT; the Motion for Hearing on Casa Marshall’s Motion
for Summary Judgment [DE 181] is DENIED; and the Motion for Leave to File Sealed
Documents [DE 182] filed by Casa is GRANTED.
Background
Glen E. Marshall, Inc. (GEMI) is a family-owned closely held corporation that provides
sitework, excavating, and demolition services. Glen E. Marshall was GEMI’s President and had
sole power to make management decisions until he became ill and died in 2003. After Glen’s
death, his wife, Karen Marshall, became the beneficiary of the Glen E. Marshall Marital Trust,
which held the majority of the GEMI stock. Marie Marshall, Glen’s sister-in-law, became the
trustee. The trust included a right to withdraw, which stated: “my wife may withdraw any part
or all of the principal at any time or times. The trustee shall make payment without question
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upon her written request. The right to withdraw shall be a privilege that may be exercised only
voluntarily and shall not include an involuntary exercise.” (Marie Aff. Ex. A)
Glen E. Marshall also bequeathed 3% of the stock to each of his children, Casa and the
Marshall Brothers. Their interest increased to 5.66% in 2006. Casa and the Marshall Brothers
voted both on their shares and the Marital Trust shares equally and served as the directors of the
company.
Prior to her father’s death, Casa was a truck driver at GEMI until the 1980s. She then
performed secretarial work. Her duties included filing, paying bills, running payroll, preparing
proposals, and signing contracts for small purchases. Following her father’s death, Casa became
the Office Manager and assumed responsibilities as Human Resources Director. In this role,
Casa was responsible for hiring and training office staff and administering employee benefits.
Specifically, she was in charge of drug-testing truck drivers, video-taping roads where services
would be performed, maintaining employee records, obtaining licenses to conduct business,
ensuring that truck drivers were licensed, making out charts or calendars for the yearly work, and
preparing the Department of Transportation audits. GEMI also sent Casa to seminars that
covered various topics, including the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Casa did not implement any of the FMLA or ADA procedures. Casa was a
salaried employee during March 2007, and received the same annual salary and bonuses as the
Marshall Brothers. GEMI approved all of Casa’s raises.
Ross Marshall was hired at GEMI 3-4 years after Casa began working. Clinton began a
few years after that, Frank 4 years after Clinton, and Roger started 2-3 years after Frank. The
Marshall Brothers began as operating engineers running heavy equipment. The Marshall
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Brothers later became and are now responsible for all aspects of revenue generation and
management of GEMI, including finding new clients, maintaining client relationships,
conducting site development, directing work crews, visiting and overseeing job sites, supervising
machine shop and equipment maintenance, purchasing equipment, hiring and firing personnel,
working with estimators, developing and submitting bids, attending bid meetings, reviewing
contracts, and management all corporate activities.
Following their father’s death, Casa and the Marshall Brothers served as the officers and
directors of GEMI. They held weekly board meetings at which they made major company
decisions about large equipment and real estate purchases, projects to bid, projects to lien,
personnel decisions, and issuing dividends. Corporate dividends only were paid to owners, not
employees.
Casa was elected as GEMI’s Vice President and served in this capacity until December
2007. As a director, Casa and her brothers each had an equal vote on management decisions and
had the authority to sign contracts and issue checks on behalf of the company. Casa often was
out-voted by her brothers 4-1. However, on one occasion, Casa over-rode the vote not to hire an
individual.
Casa became ill and went to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for treatment. She was
scheduled for brain surgery in July 2007. Casa informed the Marshall Brothers that she needed
medical leave a week or two before her surgery. Because GEMI did not have FMLA paperwork
for its employees, Casa stated that the customary practice was for employees requesting medical
leave to notify GEMI. Casa was off work during July and August 2007. Casa needed three
weeks leave for hospitalization related to her surgery and an additional six weeks for
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recuperation. She was prescribed medications and received physical therapy in Minnesota
following her surgery. Her physical therapy continued when she returned to Valparaiso, Indiana.
Her daughter, Jennifer Gudenschwager, assisted her during her recovery period.
On July 23, 2007, GEMI and the Marshall Brothers demanded a written release from
Casa’s doctor for her to return to work. The letter stated:
The company wishes to be assured that it is in your best interest to return to work,
and requests that you provide a written release or notification from your attending
physician stating that your return to work is permitted by your physician, and
stating any condition or limitation to your return, if any.
At the time Frank sent the letter, he already had taken steps to terminate Casa. On July 27, 2007,
Casa’s physician faxed a note to GEMI stating that Casa should be excused from work July 6,
2007 through August 13, 2007. Before GEMI received the doctor’s note and knew Casa was not
released to return to work, Frank told Casa that she must return to work or she would be fired.
Casa did not return to work until September 4, 2007, and received paid medical leave through
this date. Upon her return, Casa did not need help performing her duties, but she did purchase a
signature stamp so she could sign GEMI checks because her signature “looked funny.” (Casa
Dep. p. 171) The Marshall Brothers did not approve her purchase of the stamp.
On July 23, 2007, the Marshall Brothers also issued Casa a warning, alleging that she had
misappropriated corporate funds. The Marshall Brothers complain that Casa wrote corporate
checks to her daughter, Jennifer, dated June 26, 2007 and July 3, 2007. Casa does not recall
issuing checks to her daughter during June 2007. Jennifer testified that she does not recall doing
work on GEMI property but that she did recall helping her mother while she was at Mayo Clinic
and recuperating at home. Casa did not authorize anyone at GEMI to hire Jennifer, but Casa
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testified that she “possibly” hired her.
During August 2007, while Casa was on FMLA leave, Frank had a GEMI employee
write an attendance policy for GEMI. The policy concerning attendance stated that “[t]ardiness,
absenteeism, or failure to report for work is unacceptable.” (Pl.’s Dep. Ex. 1, p. 110-111) On
August 13, 2007, GEMI received a letter from Casa’s doctor that she was to remain off work
until September 4, 2007 because of her ongoing recovery and rehabilitation. Casa returned to
work on September 4, 2007, and resumed her job duties as Office Manager and Human
Resources Director. When she returned, she learned that her check signing capability had been
taken away. She also was provided with a copy of GEMI’s new policies.
Because earth moving jobs frequently are done in the spring, summer, and fall, Casa and
the Marshall Brothers made it a practice to take vacations during the winter and to draw their
regular salaries while business was slow. During the winter of 2007-2008, Casa decided not to
take her regular salary and instead worked on an hourly basis, reducing the amount of money
GEMI had to pay her. During this time, Casa opened a gift shop.
Casa first expressed interest in selling her shares of GEMI and M5 in 2003. On October
10, 2007, Frank sent Casa a buyout offer to purchase Casa’s shares for $750,000. The offer
contemplated closing the transaction by December 31, 2007, required Casa to resign from her
employment at GEMI and M5, Inc., and demanded that she forego any future interests in her
mother’s estate. GEMI had its monthly board meeting on December 4, 2007. At the meeting,
the Marshall Brothers discussed the buyout previously offered to Casa. After Casa left the board
meeting, she was removed as a member of the Board of Directors. After December 2007, the
Marshall Brothers continued in their role as GEMI’s officers and directors. The Marshall
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Brothers received the same salary based on the principle of “equality.” All management
decisions continued to be made by a majority vote of Casa and her four brothers.
The Marshall Brothers allege that Casa had a history of not performing her work at
GEMI since 2003, but did not issue her a warning about her performance until 2007. The
Marshall Brothers explain that in addition to misappropriating corporate funds, Casa did not
create employee policies for the company. During the Fall of 2007, Casa came into her brother’s
office with the Human Resources and Department of Transportation materials and threw them on
a desk, announcing that “I’m not doing this shit anymore; you’re going to have to do it.”
(Clinton Dep. p. 96-97) Another employee completed the Department of Transportation audit.
Roger testified that the Marshall Brothers had discussed reducing Casa’s salary amongst
themselves, but did not do so. Roger stated that the Marshall Brothers first contemplated
terminating Casa in early to mid-summer 2007, and were leaning toward terminating her.
On November 30, 2007, GEMI issued Casa a memorandum addressing her job
performance. The memorandum stated that Casa did “not report to work during normal work
hours, [did] not work the required number of hours per week, and [did] not complete or
accomplish the work duties required of [her] position.” (Casa Dep. p. 96, Ex. 4) The
memorandum further stated that Casa’s job performance was “very, very poor” and
progressively had gotten worse. The company’s efforts to discuss Casa’s performance with her
had “generally been always met with defensive and vulgar language.” (Casa Dep. Ex. 4) The
Marshall Brothers stated that Casa was at the office less frequently after they sent the buy-out
letter and that she began forwarding human resource issues to Roberta Marshall, GEMI’s
Executive Administrator, because she did not want to deal with the issues. Casa also stopped
7
attending the weekly management meetings. The letter directed Casa to discuss her attendance
and performance issues with Frank.
On January 10, 2008, GEMI issued Casa a certified letter listing their reasons for her
termination. She was terminated on January 14, 2008 for failure to attend work and fulfill her
work responsibilities. Casa did not believe that there was a problem with her performance. Casa
believes she was disciplined and terminated by GEMI because her brothers told her she “was a
piece of crap”, “very greedy”, “very money hungry”, and because they did not “want to deal with
a girl.” (Casa Dep. p. 96) She further complains that she was treated differently because they did
not allow her to criticize anything or make a suggestion, and she was told to “shut the fuck up”.
(Casa Dep. p. 188)
Following her termination, Jamie Marshall, Clinton’s daughter, began to work for GEMI.
Jamie created an employee handbook after she was hired that covered FMLA, time off, and sick
leave procedures. Prior to Casa’s termination, GEMI did not have any formal procedures.
Casa filed a charge of discrimination and violation of her rights under the FMLA with the
EEOC on June 11, 2008. Around this time, Karen filed a foreclosure lawsuit against Casa and
changed her will to disinherit Casa. Karen also sold her stock in GEMI to the Marshall Brothers
on December 18, 2012. Neither Karen nor the Marshall Brothers gave Casa notice of the sale
until after it had occurred. Karen stated that she did not discuss her decision to sell the stock
with anyone. One of the reasons she did so was to eliminate any interest that might have
belonged to Casa. Roger thought that a letter was sent to Casa to inform her that the shares were
available to purchase, but he did not know the content of the letter, who sent it, or when it was
sent.
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The EEOC did not pursue Casa’s charge, and she was issued a notice of the right to sue.
Casa proceeded to file her complaint on June 16, 2009, alleging that GEMI terminated her in
violation of her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act and discriminated against her based
on her gender and disability. She further alleged that Karen, as beneficiary of the trust, Marie, as
trustee, and the Marshall Brothers violated their fiduciary duties by failing to inform her of the
sale of Karen’s shares. Casa also complained that the Marshall Brothers breached their fiduciary
duties by forming MBIP, LLC, Tower Road, LLC, CRCFR Properties, LLC, and Joliet Road
Properties, LLC, without including her. Casa made a written demand that her interest in these
corporations be purchased. The corporations filed a declaratory judgment action, and the court
determined the amount Casa was to be paid for her interest. Casa has been paid for her interest
in CRCFR and Joliet.
The defendants now move for summary judgment on all of Casa’s claims, and Casa
moves for partial summary judgment.
Discussion
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c), summary judgment is proper only if it
is demonstrated that “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is
entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106
S. Ct. 2548 , 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986); Kidwell v. Eisenhauer, 679 F.3d 957, 964 (7th Cir. 2012);
Stephens v. Erickson, 569 F.3d 779, 786 (7th Cir. 2009). The burden is upon the moving party
to establish that no material facts are in genuine dispute, and any doubt as to the existence of a
genuine issue must be resolved against the moving party. Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Company,
398 U.S. 144, 160, 90 S. Ct. 1598, 1610, 26 L. Ed.2d 142, 155 (1970); Stephens, 569 F.3d at
9
786. A fact is material if it is outcome determinative under applicable law. There must be
evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty
Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L.Ed.2d 202, 212 (1986); Stephens,
569 F.3d at 786; Wheeler v. Lawson, 539 F.3d 629, 634 (7th Cir. 2008). However, summary
judgment may be entered against the non-moving party if it is unable to “establish the existence
of an essential element to [the party’s] case, and on which [that party] will bear the burden of
proof at trial . . .”. Kidwell, 679 F.3d at 964 (citing Benuzzi v. Bd. of Educ., 647 F.3d 652, 662
(7th Cir.2011) (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d
265 (1986)).
Summary judgment is inappropriate for determination of claims in which issues of intent,
good faith, and other subjective feelings play dominant roles. Ashman v. Barrows, 438 F.3d
781, 784 (7th Cir. 2006). Upon review, the court does not evaluate the weight of the evidence,
judge the credibility of witnesses, or determine the ultimate truth of the matter; rather, the court
will determine whether there exists a genuine issue of triable fact. Wheeler, 539 F.3d at 634
(citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L.Ed.2d
202, 212 (1986)).
In deciding a motion for summary judgment, the trial court must determine whether the
evidence presented by the party opposed to the summary judgment is such that a reasonable jury
might find in favor of that party after a trial.
The inquiry performed is the threshold inquiry of determining
whether there is the need for a trial--whether, in other words, there
are any genuine factual issues that properly can be resolved only by
a finder of fact because they may reasonably be resolved in favor of
either party.
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[T]his standard mirrors the standard for a directed verdict under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(a), which is that the trial judge
must direct a verdict if, under the governing law, there can be but one
reasonable conclusion as to the verdict.
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 250, 106 S. Ct. 2505,
2511, 91 L.Ed.2d 202, 212 (1986).
See also Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods., Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 149-51, 120 S.Ct. 2097, 2109,
147 L. Ed.2d 105, 120-22 (2000) (setting out the standard for a directed verdict); Celotex Corp., 477
U.S. at 322-23, 106 S. Ct. at 2553; Stephens, 569 F.3d at 786; Argyropoulos v. City of Alton, 539
F.3d 724, 732 (7th Cir. 2008)(stating that a genuine issue is one on which a reasonable fact finder
could find for the nonmoving party); Springer v. Durflinger, 518 F.3d 479, 483 (7th Cir.
2008)(stating that a genuine issue exists and summary judgment is inappropriate if there is sufficient
evidence for a jury to return a verdict for the nonmoving party).
Casa attempts to mold this dispute into a modern Cinderella story by demonstrating that she
was shunned from her family following her father’s death. She complains that her brothers did not
visit her at the hospital, that her mother foreclosed on her house, and that her aunt was not always
helpful to her. Putting the family disputes aside, the court must assess the actions of the parties as
they relate to the family business — a line that the parties often blur in their briefs.
To begin, MBIP, LLC, Tower Road, LLC, CRCFR Properties, LLC, and Joliet Road
Properties, LLC, filed a motion for summary judgment. Casa did not respond, and therefore has
waived her opportunity to dispute their contentions and has not shown that there is a genuine issue
of material fact. See Hernandez v. Cook County Sheriff's Office, 634 F.3d 906, 913 (7th Cir.
2011); Palmer v. Marion County, 327 F.3d 588, 597 (7th Cir. 2003); Laborers' Intern. Union of
North America v. Caruso, 197 F.3d 1195, 1197 (7th Cir. 1999); Wright v. United States, 139 F.3d
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551, 553 (7th Cir. 1998). Casa’s claims against these entities stem from a breach of fiduciary duty.
However, she was not a member of these corporations and has not demonstrated that they owed her
or breached a corresponding fiduciary duty. Rather, the record reflects that any claim she had
against these companies has been settled in the previous declaratory judgment action. For these
reasons, the motion for summary judgment filed by MBIP, LLC, Tower Road, LLC, CRCFR
Properties, LLC, and Joliet Road Properties, LLC, is GRANTED.
Casa alleges a series of employment discrimination practices by GEMI and the Marshall
Brothers, all of which turn on whether Casa was an employee or an employer of GEMI. The
applicable statutes, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §2000e-2(a)(1), the Americans with
Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a), and the Family Medical Leave Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2612, all
provide protection to employees but not to employers. See e.g. Smith v. Castaways Family Diner,
453 F.3d 971, 986 (7th Cir. 2006)(explaining that Title VII does not protect employers). The parties
dispute whether Casa was an employee because she was a shareholder in the company and voted on
business decisions.
Title 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(f) defines an “employee” as an individual employed by an employer.
The term employee is to be construed broadly. Chavero v. Local 241, 787 F.2d 1154, 1156 (7th Cir.
1986). An employer “is the person, or group of persons, who owns and manages the enterprise.”
Clackamas Gastroenterology Associates, P.C. v. Wells, 538 U.S. 440, 449-450, 123 S.Ct. 1673,
1680, 155 L.Ed.2d 615 (2003). “The employer can hire and fire employees, can assign tasks to
employees and supervise their performance, and can decide how the profits and losses of the
business are to be distributed.” Clackamas, 538 U.S. at 450; 123 S.Ct. at 1680. “‘Employers’ are
those whose authority and interests are so aligned with the business as to render them the legal
12
personification of the business, i.e., principals rather than agents.” Smith, 453 F.3d at 978.
Shareholders and directors generally are employers rather than employees. See Chavero, 787
F.2d at 1156; E.E.O.C. v. Dowd & Dowd, Ltd., 736 F.2d 1177, 1178 (7th Cir. 1984); Burke v.
Friedman, 556 F.2d 867, 869 (7th Cir. 1977) (partner in accounting firm is employer not employee
under Title VII); but see Gorman v. North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery Associates, Ltd., 664 F.Supp.
212, 214 (W.D. Pa. 1987). This is particularly true of directors and shareholders who are inactive
in the company. However, title alone does not dictate the outcome. Clackamas, 538 U.S. at 450,
123 S.Ct. at 1680. The primary consideration is whether an employer-employee relationship exists.
The court must determine whether the individual performed typical employee duties such as
maintaining records, preparing financial statements, and managing the office. See Chavero, 787
F.2d at 1157 (citing E.E.O.C. v. First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, 695 F.2d 1068, 1070 (6th
Cir. 1982)). The principal guidepost is whether the individual has control of the business or is
subject to the right to control by the master. Smith, 453 F.3d at 977. The court must apply the
following six factors to determine if a shareholder-director is an employee:
1. Whether the organization can hire or fire the individual or set the rules and
regulations of the individual’s work;
2. To what extent the organization supervises the individual’s work;
3. Whether the individual reports to someone higher in the organization;
4. Whether the individual is able to influence the organization;
5. Whether the parties intended that the individual be an employee, as expressed in
written agreements or contracts; and
6. Whether the individual shares in the profits, losses, and liabilities of the
organization.
Clackamas, 538 U.S. at 450, 123 S.Ct. at 1680. No one factor is decisive in determining whether
an individual is employee. Clackamas, 538 U.S. at 450, 123 S.Ct. at 1680.
The Seventh Circuit has set boundaries for the application of the Clackamas six-factor test.
Ruiz v. Trustees of Purdue University, 2008 WL 833125, *8 n. 1 (N.D. Ind. Feb. 20, 2008). In
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Smith, the court distinguished an employer from a supervisor vested with authority. Smith, 453
F.3d at 978. The Seventh Circuit explained that the source of control dictates how an individual is
classified. Smith, 453 F.3d at 978-979. The question the court must address is whether the
individual has the right to control rather than the privilege, even if she chooses not to exercise that
right. Smith, 453 F.3d at 980, 982. See also Restatement § 2(1) (“A master is a principal who
employs an agent to perform service in his affairs and who controls or has the right to control the
physical conduct of others in the performance of the service.”). If the control is delegated from the
owner to the individual, even such tasks as preparing the individual’s schedule, writing checks,
establishing policies and procedures, and hiring and firing employees, the individual is not an
employer. The court placed significant emphasis on the right to bring decisions to a vote or the right
to dissolve the business.
Although an employer’s preferences may not always be followed in cases where a business
is jointly owned, this does not strip the individual from her designation as an employer. The key
appears to be whether the individual had a say in the decisions of the business and possessed an
equal vote. Smith, 453 F.3d at 983. The right to vote in affairs does not enable an owner to impose
her own will on the organization, but the status entitles the individual to a say in fundamental
decisions of the business that other workers do not enjoy. Smith, 453 F.3d at 984.
Applying the factors above, the record is clear that GEMI had the authority to fire Casa, as
displayed by her termination. However, the record does not reflect similarly that GEMI had
significant control over Casa’s work. Casa set her own hours, determined when to take vacation
without approval, unilaterally reduced her hours and took pay on an hourly basis, and determined
what tasks she would perform. Casa passed off some tasks, such as the DOT audit, to other
14
employees. Casa also chose not to create policies for the company, including FMLA leave and
attendance policies, although it fell within her authority as Human Resources Director. Casa overrode her brothers to hire an employee, issued corporate checks without authorization from the
Marshall Brothers, and ordered a signature stamp without approval. She does not argue that she had
to report to anyone higher in the organization. These actions all indicate that she was an employer
rather than an employee.
Inconsistent with this conclusion is the fact that Casa was terminated in part for her decision
to work on a part-time hourly basis during the winter. Casa also was subject to review by the
Marshall Brothers, as indicated by the letters they sent regarding her performance and the one
performance review issued by her brothers, which stated that they attempted to discuss her conduct
with her on more than one occasion. This suggests that Casa did not have sole discretion to make
up the terms of her employment. However, this does not mean that she was an employee. Most
corporate governance structures would allow for the other shareholders to vote out a member who
was not performing her duties.
The Seventh Circuit appears to place the most emphasis on the individual’s ability to
influence the company. Although Casa argues that her control was illusory because her brothers
out-voted her on all matters, this does not dictate whether she was an employer. The controlling
issue is whether she was given the same authority to influence the management decisions as the
Marshall Brothers, and here the record clearly reflects that they maintained the same voting power
even after Karen sold her shares to the Marshall Brothers. This is a power that employees who were
not shareholders did not enjoy. She also shared in GEMI’s profits when the Marshall Brothers and
she voted to issue a dividend, which other employees did not receive. Casa unilaterally hired some
15
employees, signed checks, and was tasked with creating company policies, all factors which indicate
her ability to control the company. Although she often was out-voted, this does not negate the fact
that she had authority and rights that exceeded that of a typical employee. Her ownership, coupled
with her authority, reflect that she was an employer rather than an employee.
Casa also argues that judicial estoppel bars the defendants from challenging whether she was
an employee because they did not raise it with the EEOC or before filing their motions for summary
judgment. Specifically, the defendants admitted in their motion to dismiss that Casa, like each of
them, was an employee, officer, and shareholder. The Marshall Brothers similarly stated in their
motion for summary judgment that they remained employees and officers of the company and that
Casa’s employment was terminated on January 14, 2008. Casa argues that the defendants made
numerous statements over the past six years admitting that Casa was employed by GEMI.
“[W]here a party assumes a certain position in a legal proceeding, and succeeds in
maintaining that position, he may not thereafter, simply because his interests have changed, assume
a contrary position, especially if it be to the prejudice of the party who has acquiesced in the position
formerly taken by him.” Davis v. Wakelee, 156 U.S. 680, 689, 15 S.Ct. 555, 39 L.Ed. 578 (1895).
The purpose of the doctrine of judicial estoppel is to protect the integrity of the judicial process from
parties changing their positions throughout litigation. New Hampshire v. Maine, 532 U.S. 742, 750,
121 S.Ct. 1808, 152 L.Ed.2d 944 (2001). To expand, “[t]he policies underlying the doctrine [of
judicial estoppel] include preventing internal inconsistency, precluding litigants from ‘playing fast
and loose’ with the courts, and prohibiting parties from deliberately changing positions according
to the exigencies of the moment.” United States v. McCaskey, 9 F.3d 368, 378 (5th Cir. 1993). See
also New Hampshire, 532 U.S. at 750, 121 S.Ct. at 1808. The court generally considers several
16
factors when determining whether to apply judicial estoppel: (1) whether a party's later position is
clearly inconsistent with its earlier position; (2) whether the party prevailed in persuading a court
to accept the party's earlier position; and (3) whether the opposing party would be unfairly
disadvantaged if the party asserting the inconsistent statement was not estopped. New Hampshire,
532 U.S. at 750–51, 121 S.Ct. at 1808.
Although Casa argues that the defendants admitted that she was an employee in their motion
to dismiss, “[a]bsent success in a prior proceeding, a party’s later inconsistent position introduces
no ‘risk of inconsistent court determination’”. New Hampshire, 532 U.S. 742, 750-751 (citing
United States v. C.I.T. Constr. Inc., 944 F.2d 253, 259 (5th Cir. 1991)). The issue of Casa’s status
as an employer or employee never was presented to the court previously. The defendants did not
raise this issue in their earlier motions or with the EEOC, and therefore never succeeded in taking
the position that Casa was an employee. Nor is it likely that the defendants ever would have argued
that Casa was an employee because such an argument clearly was inconsistent with their position
throughout the entirety of this litigation. Casa has failed to show that the defendants either took a
“clearly inconsistent” position at an earlier stage or that they succeeded in doing so. Rather, the
record reflects that this issue never was raised until the defendants filed their motions for summary
judgment.
In addition, Casa has not shown that she would suffer prejudice if the defendants were
permitted to maintain their position that she was not an employee. Generally, judicial estoppel is
not applied unless the party taking the inconsistent position received some benefit or unfair
advantage as a result.
28 Am. Jur. 2d Estoppel and Waiver § 68. There is no conceivable
advantage the defendants would have gained by arguing that Casa was an employee, nor has Casa
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demonstrated that the issue was raised in such an untimely matter as to cause her prejudice. Casa
had an opportunity both in her reply in support of her motion for summary judgment and in response
to the defendants’ motions for summary judgment to explain why she should be considered an
employee for purposes of applying the various employment statutes. For all of these reasons,
judicial estoppel does not apply to preclude the defendants from arguing that Casa was not an
employee.
Because judicial estoppel does not bar the defendants from arguing that Casa was an
employee and the defendants have succeeded in demonstrating that Casa had sufficient control of
the company to remove her from the protection of Title VII, the FMLA, and the ADA, the court
GRANTS the defendants’ motions for summary judgment and DENIES Casa’s motion for summary
judgment on her Title VII, ADA, and FMLA claims.
Casa also alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to inform her
that additional stock was available to purchase when Karen sold her shares to the Marshall Brothers.
The defendants argue that they did not owe Casa a fiduciary duty. The Marshall Brothers also
moved to strike Casa’s argument in its entirety, arguing that Casa did not include a claim
challenging the stock sale and purchase that took place on December 18, 2012.
The law is clear that shareholders in a closely held corporation owe each other a fiduciary
duty. Melrose v. Capitol city Motor Lodge, Inc., 705 N.E.2d 985, 990 (Ind. 1998); Krukemeier v.
Krukemeier Mach. & Tool, Co., 551 N.E.2d 885, 888 (Ind.Ct.App.1990); Cressy v. Shannon
Continental Corp., 378 N.E.2d 941, 945 (1978). This duty is extended to directors of closely held
corporations, however, “this shareholder fiduciary duty is limited when a director-shareholder buys
or sells corporate stock for his own account.” Hardy v. South Bend Sash & Door Co., Inc., 603
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N.E.2d 895, 900 (Ind. App. 1992).
Although directors owe a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its shareholders, “where a
director or officer of a corporation sells his personal shares of stock or buys stock from other
shareholders for his personal ownership, and such sale does not affect the general well being of the
corporation, the director owes no fiduciary duty to disclose the terms of such sale to other
shareholders.” Yerke v. Batman, 376 N.E.2d 1211, 1214 (Ind. App. 1978). As a director, the
individual holds the stock free from the dominion and control of the other directors and
shareholders. “[N]o fiduciary relationship exists between an officer or director and the stockholders
of the corporation when, in the absence of fraud or general detriment to the corporation, that officer
or director buys or sells his personal stock”. Yerke, 376 N.E.2d at 678. See also Hardy, 603 N.E.2d
at 900 (explaining that “this shareholder fiduciary duty is limited when a director-shareholder buys
or sells corporate stock for his own account.”). The Yerke court concluded that the directors did not
owe a fiduciary duty to the minority shareholders to notify them that the sale of the majority of
shares was about to take place or to allow the minority shareholders the opportunity to participate
equally in the majority stock sale.
Karen owned the stock that was sold. She was not a director of GEMI and could not have
owed a fiduciary duty under this theory. Although the Marshall Brothers were directors, their
purchase of the stock was a personal decision that did not affect the company as a whole. Casa has
not demonstrated that the Marshall Brothers, as directors, owed her a fiduciary duty to disclose the
sale and to allow her to purchase additional shares. Such a requirement would be inapposite of
Yerke and would impose an unprecedented duty on the Marshall Brothers.
However, the fiduciary duties owed to a fellow shareholder in a closely held corporation
19
exceed those of a director if the shareholders intended to treat their ownership as a partnership and
share in the company equally. Casa refers the court to Cressy, arguing that the parties intended their
ownership to be based on the principle of equality, and for that reason the sale of the stock should
have been disclosed. In Cressy, two individuals formed a close corporation, agreed to be fifty-fifty
partners, and became the majority shareholders. Cressy, 378 N.E.2d at 945. One sold some newly
issued stock to his parents, and the other bought some stock from a minority shareholder. Both
sought to void the other’s transaction. The court explained that “[t]he ‘partnership’ expectation of
equality of shareholdings carried with it the duty on the part of each principal to disclose to the other
the availability of outstanding shares for sale and to afford the opportunity to share in the purchase
of such stock.” Cressy, 378 N.E.2d at 945. The court “recognized that individuals who form close
corporations ‘often expect to act and to be treated as partners in their dealings among themselves.’”
Maul v. Van Keppel, 714 N.E.2d 707, 710 (Ind. App. 1999) (citing Cressy, 378 N.E.2d at 945).
The Indiana Appellate Court later qualified Cressy, explaining that “[i]ntegral to the Cressy
rationale is an agreement or meeting of the minds among shareholders.” Maul, 714 N.E.2d at 711.
“[T]he law provides ample methods for shareholders to maintain equal ownership should they so
desire including buy-sell agreements, stock transfer restrictions, and the like.
Where the
shareholders in a close corporation have not entered into such contracts, the courts should be
reluctant to impose contractual obligations on them.” Maul, 714 N.E.2d at 710. Any departure from
corporate law is warranted only when the shareholders agree to bind themselves to partner-like
conduct and each shareholder intended to treat the others like equal partners. Maul, 714 N.E.2d at
711.
In Maul, the mother bequeathed equal shares of stock to each of her daughters. Maul, 714
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N.E.2d at 711. Although the mother may have intended for her daughters to maintain equal shares,
this did not speak to the intent of the daughters to maintain equal ownership. Maul, 714 N.E.2d at
711. There must be some evidence of mutual intent among the shareholders to maintain equal
ownership.
The Maul court examined the corporate resolutions and the testimony of the
shareholders, and found that there was no evidence suggesting that the daughters agreed among
themselves to maintain equal ownership.
The parties dispute whether they intended to maintain equal ownership. Casa refers to
Roger’s testimony that all of the Marshall Brothers received the same pay to maintain equality.
However, it is not clear that this is enough to prove the intent to maintain equal ownership. To
begin, Cressy involved a situation where the individuals formed the corporation and agreed to share
in the business “fifty-fifty”.
Casa and her brothers inherited the shares and did not have an
agreement to share the business equally. Even if their father intended for them to share in the
company equally, his intent cannot be substituted for the intent of the children.
More convincingly, Casa and the Marshall Brothers were minority shareholders, and their
mother controlled the majority share and did not receive a salary equal to the Marshall Brothers and
Casa. Casa has pointed to no evidence to show that Karen had a meeting of the minds with Casa and
the Marshall Brothers to share the company equally. The evidence appears to suggest otherwise.
The trust that gave Karen her ownership interest specifically stated that she could withdraw the
principle without any further inquiry. The document itself shows that Karen could do with the
shares what she chose. There was nothing implicit in the document that required her to divide the
shares equally among her children or to give them the right to first refusal. Therefore, even if Casa
and the Marshall Brothers intended to share the company equally, there is no evidence that Karen,
21
the owner of the shares, shared in that agreement and was obligated to offer them to all of her
children.
Additionally, the statement Casa points to in support of her argument does not suggest an
intent to own the company equally. The Marshall Brothers may have intended to have equal pay
for the sake of fairness, but that does not reflect that they intended to maintain ownership equally.
Rather, they could have agreed to equal pay because they held the same ownership interest. The law
provides avenues for parties to formally agree to maintain equal ownership, such as contracting for
a right to first refusal. However, the parties never entered such an agreement, and Casa has not
pointed to any evidence to show that it was the parties’ intent to share in the company equally.
Based on the foregoing reasons, the Motion for Summary Judgment [DE 151] filed by MBIP,
Tower Road, CRCFR Properties, and Joliet Road Properties is GRANTED; the Motion for
Summary Judgment [DE 153] filed by Marie and Karen Marshall is GRANTED; the Motion for
Summary Judgment [DE 155] filed by G.E. Marshall and M5 is GRANTED; the Motion for Partial
Summary Judgment [DE 157] filed by Casa Marshall is DENIED; and the Motion for Summary
Judgment [DE 165] filed by the Marshall Brothers is GRANTED. The defendants’ motions for
summary judgment addressed all of the plaintiff’s claims. Judgment is to be entered in favor of the
defendants.
Because the court has decided the motions on the briefs, the motions for a hearing on the
motions for summary judgment [DE 170 & 181] are DENIED.
The Marshall Brothers’ Objection and Motion to Strike Portions of Casa Marshall’s Motion
for Partial Summary Judgment [DE 172] is DENIED AS MOOT.
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ENTERED this 14th day of April, 2014
/s/ Andrew P. Rodovich
United States Magistrate Judge
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