HAMPTON v. PROTECTION PLUS SECURITY CORPORATION et al

Filing 37

OPINION filed. Signed by Judge Brian R. Martinotti on 2/23/2017. (mmh)

NOT FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
_____________________________________________________

:
CHRISTOPHER HAMPTON,
:
:
Plaintiff,
:
: Civ. Action No.: 3:14-cv-6982-BRM-TJB
v.
:
:
PROTECTION PLUS SECURITY
:
OPINION
CORPORATION, et al.,
:
:
Defendants.
:
__________________________________________:
MARTINOTTI, DISTRICT JUDGE
Before this Court is Plaintiff Christopher Hampton’s (“Plaintiff”) motion for default
judgment (ECF No. 19) as to defendants Kevin S. Haran (“Haran”) and Protection Plus Security
Corporation (“Protection Plus”). A proof hearing was held on December 1, 2016. (ECF No. 33.)
Based on the papers submitted by counsel and the testimony of Plaintiff at the proof hearing, for
the reasons discussed below, Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment is GRANTED in part and
DENIED in part.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Procedural History
On November 6, 2014, Plaintiff filed a complaint against Haran, Protection Plus, Universal
Protection Services, and Universal Services of America for violations of Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“NJLAD”), and
the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). (ECF No. 1.), Plaintiff caused Defendants to be served
with the summons and complaint n November 14, 2014 and filed Affidavits of Service confirming
same. (ECF Nos. 7, 15-1.) Universal Protection Services and Universal Services of America settled

with Plaintiff and were dismissed from the case. (ECF No. 30.)
On March 15, 2016, Plaintiff requested an entry of default against Protection Plus and
Haran for failure to plead or otherwise defend (ECF No. 15), which was entered by the Clerk on
March 16, 2016 (ECF No. 17). Plaintiff subsequently filed this Motion for Default Judgment (ECF
No. 19), and on December 1, 2016, the Court held a proof hearing regarding Plaintiff’s motion. 1
B. Factual History
Protection Plus and Haran have not appeared in this case. Therefore, the following facts
are derived from the Complaint and Plaintiff’s testimony at the proof hearing. The Court finds
Plaintiff’s testimony credible; he answered the Court’s questions truthfully and completely, and
his answers were not scripted.
Protection Plus hired Plaintiff, an African American male, as a security officer in July 2012.
(ECF No. 1; Trial Transcript dated December 1, 2016 at 6:19-25 (ECF No. 35).) Specifically,
Plaintiff was hired by Haran to work at Protection Plus and was supervised by Tom Geron
(“Geron”), both Caucasian males. (ECF. No. 35 at 7:7-8, 11-18.)
Plaintiff worked as a security officer for his entire term of employment with Defendant
Protection Plus. (ECF No. 35 at 7:1-3.) As a security officer, Plaintiff was required “to maintain a
safe perimeter, make sure the doors were locked,” and “maintain a safe environment for the visitors
to have visits with the clients.” (ECF No. 35 at 7:19-23.) Plaintiff typically worked a forty (40)
hour week, consisting of eight (8) hour shifts and sometimes twelve (12) hour shifts. (ECF No. 35
at 7:24-8:1, 15:11-12.) Plaintiff earned $13.48 per hour while working for Protection Plus, plus an
additional $3.71 per hour that was designated for a 401K plan. (ECF No. 35 at 14:21-23 and Ex.
P-2.) Protection Plus assured Plaintiff that it would match his 401K contribution. (ECF No. 35 at
1

At the Court’s request, Plaintiff submitted post-hearing briefing. (ECF No. 36.)

15:9-10.) Plaintiff contends he was not paid for working on November 3, 2012 and was not paid
any additional compensation for working overtime on November 11, 2012. (ECF No. 35 at 18:219:3 and Exs. P-2, P-3.)
Plaintiff alleges Protection Plus failed to discipline its Caucausian employees while its
African American employees were reprimanded, resulting in Plaintiff’s termination. For example,
Plaintiff testified he arrived at 12:01 for a shift that started at 12:00 and was immediately
reprimanded by Geron, while Caucasian officers continued to arrive without reproach. (ECF No.
35 at 11:20-12:7.) Plaintiff testified these Caucasian officers came in late on a regular basis without
consequence. (ECF No. 35 at 12:1-10.) 2
Plaintiff further testified a Caucasian male co-worker was not reprimanded after a visitor
reported being harassed and feeling threatened by him. (ECF No. 35 at 13:11-25, 14:7-8.) The
visitor complained to Geron, but the worker was not reprimanded or fired and even stated, “Oh, I
could have had that girl if I really wanted to.” (ECF No. 35 at 13:24-14:5.)
In contrast to Protection Plus and Haran’s treatment of Caucasian employees, Plaintiff was
terminated on November 24, 2012 after Haran accused Plaintiff of making “a conscious decision
to disregard . . . instructions and the rights of others when you advised a female visitor to the
Ancora Hospital that you would punch her in the face if she were a man.” (ECF No. 35 at 8:9-19,
9:4-10 and Ex. P-1.) Plaintiff denies he ever said this to the visitor, but concedes making the
statement to a co-worker while the visitor was inside and enclosed in an elevator, visible to Plaintiff
from the security camera. (ECF No. 35 at 9:11-10:5.) Plaintiff believes Protection Plus and Haran

Plaintiff also testified a Caucasian female co-worker repeatedly violated the traffic laws while
operating the company vehicle and received multiple traffic tickets from the State of New Jersey
without penalty from Protection Plus. (ECF No. 35 at 11:4-6, 12:11-13:10.) However, Plaintiff did
not testify whether he, or any other African American employees, was reprimanded for any similar
conduct.
2

fired him due to his race, since the visitor did not hear him and no visitor could have complained.
(ECF No. 35 at 11:14-17.) There were “multiple instances where white officers were allowed to
do things, and black officers were just basically given the shortest rope possible.” Id.
Since Plaintiff’s termination, he has earned under $10,000 per year, has applied to multiple
jobs, and had a few interviews. (ECF No. 35 at 16:7-10, 20:6-11.) Plaintiff alleges he has difficulty
applying for jobs, as well as in his daily life, because he feels Caucasian people look at him
differently. (ECF No. 35 at 16:20-23.) He perceives people are “always looking at me like I have
something to get over on them . . . and in reality, all I want is just a job, and I’m just a normal, very
nice person.” (ECF No. 35 at 16:24-17:4.)
II. LEGAL STANDARD
A default judgment may be entered “against a properly served defendant who fails to file
a timely responsive pleading.” Louisiana Counseling & Family Servs., Inc. v. Makrygialos, LLC,
543 F. Supp. 2d 359, 364 (D.N.J. 2008) (citing Fed. R. Civ. Pro. 55(b)(2); Anchorage Assoc. v.
Virgin Is. Bd. of Tax Rev., 922 F.2d 168, 177 n. 9 (3d Cir.1990)). The judgment must be entered
by the court, rather than the clerk, where the amount is not sum certain or cannot be made certain
by computation. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b).
Entry of default judgment is within the discretion of the district court, although cases should
“be disposed of on the merits whenever practicable.” Hritz v. Woma Corp., 732 F.2d 1178, 1180
(3d Cir. 1984) (citing Tozer v. Charles A. Krause Milling Co., 189 F.2d 242, 244 (3d Cir. 1951));
see Chamberlain v. Giampapa, 210 F.3d 154, 164 (3d Cir. 2000); Louisiana Counseling & Family
Servs., 543 F. Supp. 2d at 364. To determine the appropriateness of the entry of a default judgment,
the Court may conduct a hearing when, “to enter or effectuate judgment, it needs to . . . determine
the amount of damages [or] establish the truth of any allegation by evidence.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b).

Generally, courts treat all pleadings and allegations of the plaintiff as true on a motion for
default judgment. See Comdyne I, Inc. v. Corbin, 908 F.2d 1142, 1149 (3d Cir. 1990). However,
the Court is not required to accept Plaintiff’s conclusions of law and, therefore, “it remains for the
[C]ourt to consider whether the unchallenged facts constitute a legitimate cause of action” against
Defendants. Directv, Inc. v. Asher, 2006 WL 680533, at *1 (D.N.J. Mar. 14, 2006) (quoting
Charles A. Wright, Arthur R. Miller & Mary Kay Kane, 10A Federal Practice and Procedure §
2688, at 58-59, 63 (3d ed. 1998)); accord Louisiana Counseling & Family Servs., 543 F. Supp. 2d
at 364; Comcast Cable Commc’ns v. Bowers, No. CIV 06-1664 RBK, 2007 WL 1557510, at *2
(D.N.J. May 25, 2007).
III. DECISION
A. Liability
Having heard Plaintiff’s testimony and finding it to be credible, the Court accepts
Plaintiff’s allegations as true. Based on these facts, the Court reviews Plaintiff’s Complaint to
confirm Plaintiff has sufficiently pled and proven each cause of action.
1. Title VII
Title VII provides, in relevant part:
It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer—(1)
to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise
to discriminate against any individual with respect to his
compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment,
because of such individual's race, color, religion, sex, or national
origin . . . .
42 U.S.C. § 2000e–2(a).
Plaintiff has demonstrated that Protection Plus discriminated against him based on his race
when they reprimanded and terminated him for conduct in which fellow Caucasian co-workers
engaged without consequence. However, as to Haran, Plaintiff has not established liability. The

statute defines “employer” as “a person engaged in an industry affecting commerce who has fifteen
or more employees . . . and any agent of such a person.” Id. at § 2000e(b). The Third Circuit does
not interpret this to hold individuals liable. Sheridan v. E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., 100 F.3d
1061, 1077 (3d Cir. 1996); Cortes v. Univ. of Med. & Dentistry of New Jersey, 391 F. Supp. 2d
298, 311 (D.N.J. 2005). Thus, Plaintiff has demonstrated Protection Plus, 3 but not Haran, is liable
under Title VII for discriminating against him because of his race.
2. NJLAD
The NJLAD prohibits “any unlawful discrimination against any person because such
person is or has been at any time disabled or any unlawful employment practice against such
person, unless the nature and extent of the disability reasonably precludes the performance of the
particular employment.” N.J.S.A. § 10:5–4.1. The elements of an NJLAD claim vary based on the
cause of action alleged. Victor v. State, 203 N.J. 383, 408, 4 A.3d 126, 141 (2010) (listing the
different prima facie elements for various NJLAD causes of action based on failure to hire,
discriminatory discharge, retaliation, and hostile environment).
In his Complaint, Plaintiff alleges:
Defendant has discriminated against Plaintiff on the basis of his
race, color and sex in violation of the [NJLAD] by creating,
fostering, accepting, ratifying and/or otherwise failing to prevent or
to remedy a discriminatory work environment that included, among
other things, disparate treatment of Plaintiff because of this race.
(ECF No. 1 at ¶ 22.) Thus, it appears Plaintiff is alleging the existence of a hostile environment.

3

Plaintiff did not provide the Court with evidence he exhausted administrative remedies, to the
extent they may be available. “[W]hen Title VII remedies are available, they must be exhausted
before a plaintiff may file suit.” Slingland v. Donahoe, 542 F. App’x 189, 191 (3d Cir. 2013)
(quoting Spence v. Straw, 54 F.3d 196, 200 (3d Cir. 1995)). However, exhaustion of these remedies
is an affirmative defense, requiring the defendant to plead the defense. See id. Accordingly,
Plaintiff has met his burden of demonstrating Protection Plus’s liability until Protection Plus
appears and claims otherwise.

To set forth a cause of action for hostile environment under the NJLAD, Plaintiff must
show: “(1) that plaintiff is in a protected class; (2) that plaintiff was subjected to conduct that would
not have occurred but for that protected status; and (3) that it was severe or pervasive enough to
alter the conditions of employment.” Victor, 203 N.J. at 409; see also Jackson v. Gannett Co., No.
Civ. A. 08-6403, 2011 WL 3362154, at *5 (D.N.J. Aug. 3, 2011). Once Plaintiff meets his burden,
“the burden shifts to the defendant to articulate a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason” for the
discrimination. Sunkett v. Misci, 183 F. Supp. 2d 691, 717 (D.N.J. 2002).
Plaintiff is African-American and, accepting his allegations true, was subject to a hostile
work environment as a result of his race that altered the conditions of his employment. Protection
Plus and Haran, by failing to appear, have not demonstrated to this Court any legitimate, nonretaliatory reason for their conduct. Therefore, Plaintiff has a legitimate claim against Protection
Plus and Haran 4 under the NJLAD.
3. FLSA
29 U.S.C. § 216(b) provides a private right of action to recover for violations of the FLSA,
specifically failure to pay the minimum wage prescribed under 29 U.S.C. § 206 and overtime rates
prescribed under 29 U.S.C. § 207. See Knepper v. Rite Aid Corp., 675 F.3d 249, 253 (3d Cir. 2012).
Plaintiff alleged he worked but was not paid in full for November 3 and 11, 2012, and provided
paystubs supporting same. Therefore, Protection Plus and Haran failed to pay Plaintiff pursuant to
the FLSA.
B. Damages

4

Unlike Title VII, an individual supervisor may be found liable under the NJLAD where they
aided or abetted the discriminatory action. N.J.S.A. 10:5-12e; Hurley v. Atlantic City Police Dep’t,
174 F.3d 95, 127 (3d Cir. 1999); Tarr v. Ciasulli, 181 N.J. 70, 83 (2004). Haran, having supervised
Plaintiff and having been actively involved in Plaintiff’s punishment and termination, knowingly
aided in the discriminatory actions against Plaintiff.

Plaintiff seeks back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages under Title VII and
NJLAD, as well as damages under the FLSA.
1. Back Pay
Plaintiff is entitled to back pay under Title VII and the NJLAD. Loeffler v. Frank, 486 U.S.
549, 558 (1988); 42 U.S.C. §2000e-5(g)(1); see also Goodman v. London Metals Exchange, 86
N.J. 19, 34 (1981) (back pay is an available remedy under NJLAD). “The appropriate standard for
measuring a back pay award under Title VII is . . . to take the difference between the actual wages
earned and the wages the individual would have earned in the position that, but for discrimination,
the individual would have attained.” Third Circuit Model Jury Instructions, §5.4.3 Comment
(quoting Gunby v. Pennsylvania Elec. Co., 840 F. 2d 1108, 1119-1120 (3rd Cir. 1988)). “Although
the statutory duty to mitigate damages is placed on a Title VII plaintiff, the employer has the
burden of proving a failure to mitigate.” (Id. (quoting Anastasio v. Schering Corp., 838 F.2d 701,
707-08 (3rd Cir. 1988)); see also Goodman v. London Metals Exchange, 86 N.J. 19, 40 (1981)
(holding that mitigation is an affirmative defense in an action under NJLAD and the burden rests
with the employer). Employers can meet the burden of proving a failure to mitigate in one of two
(2) ways: 1) that the employer offered a job “that was substantially equivalent to his position”
with the employer or 2) “that other substantially equivalent positions were available to [the former
employee] and he failed to use reasonable diligence in attempting to secure such a position.”
Anastasio, 838 F.2d at 708.
Based on Plaintiff’s testimony, the Court finds Plaintiff would have earned $43,472.005
per year, inclusive of his employer’s 401K contribution. (ECF No. 35 at 14:21-15:10.) He concedes
he earned about $10,000 per year since he was fired. (ECF No. 35 at 16:7-10.) Therefore, Plaintiff’s
40 hours per week * 52 weeks per year * $20.90 ($13.48 [hourly rate] + $3.71 [individual 401k
contribution] + $3.71 [employer 401k contribution])
5

lost wages and 401K contribution are $33,472.00 per year for four (4) years, which totals
$133,888.00. 6
Accordingly, Protection Plus (under Title VII and the NJLAD) and Haran (under the
NJLAD) are jointly and severally liable to Plaintiff for $133,888.00.
2. Compensatory Damages
Plaintiff is also entitled to compensatory damages. 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(3); see Hurley v.
Atlantic City Police Dep’t, 933 F. Supp. 3d 396, 424 (D.N.J. 1996) (permitting, but limiting,
compensatory damages under the NJLAD); Gimello v. Agency Rent-A-Car Systems, Inc., 250 N.J.
Super. 338, 366 (App. Div. 1991) (granting $10,000 in damages for pain, suffering, and
humiliation under NJLAD). Compensatory damages include damages for emotional distress and
humiliation suffered. 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(3). “Neither medical evidence nor corroborating
testimony” is needed to prove emotional distress. Sowell v. RAV Investigative Services, 2016 U.S.
Dist. LEXIS 69293 at *17 (E.D. Pa. 2016). Title VII plaintiffs may recover emotional distress
damages with only their own testimony. See id.; Block v. R.H. Macy & Co., 712 F.2d 1241, 1245
(3rd Cir. 1983); Rios v. Mary Loves 1, No. CV 13-CV-1619, 2015 WL 5161314, at *52 (E.D. Pa.
Sept. 2, 2015); see also Goldsmith v. Bagby Elevator Co., 513 F.3d 1261, 1289 (11th Cir. 2008)
(upholding verdict of $27,160.59 for mental anguish without any expert opinion offered); Williams
v. Trans World Airlines, Inc., 660 F.2d 1267, 1273 (8th Cir. 1981) (holding that the plaintiff had
testified to sufficient facts for a jury to award emotional distress damages and remanded for a
determination of emotional distress damages); Smith v. Anchor Bldg. Corp., 536 F.2d 231, 236
(8th Cir. 1976) (remanding to determine emotional distress damages because plaintiff’s statement
that “I just felt I was embarrassed that it [discrimination] was really happening and I see it’s really

6

4 years * ($43,472.00 [annual wages] - $10,000 [approximate annual income])

a true thing and I was really hurt and humiliated me (sic) because I’m black; that stopped me from
moving where I want to move” was sufficient to establish the basis for emotional distress
damages). Plaintiff is entitled to an award of emotional distress damages in a default judgment.
Thompson v. Central Security Agency, Inc., 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2590, *7 (E.D. Pa. 1999)
(granting $10,000 for emotional distress because the plaintiff had testified that defendant’s conduct
made her feel scared, embarrassed, depressed, and caused substance abuse).
As a result of Protection Plus and Haran’s discriminatory conduct, Plaintiff has and
continues to suffer anxiety, depression, and fear about how future employers will treat him. (ECF
No. 35 at 16:20-17:4.) Therefore, the Court grants Plaintiff an award of emotional distress damages
in the amount of $10,000.00 for which Protection Plus and Haran are jointly and severally liable.
See Hurley, 933 F. Supp. 3d at 420-21.
3. Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are available under Title VII only “if the complaining party demonstrates
that the respondent engaged in a discriminatory practice or discriminatory practices with malice or
with reckless indifference.” 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(1); see Santiago v. City of Vineland, 107 F.
Supp. 2d 512, 569 (D.N.J. 2000) (requiring similar standard for punitive damages award under the
NJLAD). “The terms ‘malice’ or ‘reckless indifference’ pertain to the employer’s knowledge that
it may be acting in violation of federal law, not its awareness that it is engaging in discrimination.”
Kant v. Seton Hall University, Nos. 06–4448, 06–4464, 2008 WL 2212006, at *5 (3d Cir. 2008)
(quoting Kolstad v. Am. Dental Ass’n, 527 U.S. 526, 535 (1999)).
Even taking Plaintiff’s allegations as true, there is insufficient evidence before the Court to
show Protection Plus or Haran had a malicious or reckless state of mind as to the violation of
federal law. See Rios, No. CV 13-CV-1619, 2015 WL 5161314, at *17 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 2, 2015)

(denying punitive damages because no evidence of defendant’s state of mind, explaining that proof
of defendant’s knowledge of the violation is required); see also Cortes v. Univ. of Med. & Dentistry
of New Jersey, 391 F. Supp. 2d 298, 317 (D.N.J. 2005) (“The evidence could not reasonably
support a finding that [defendant] acted with a high degree of conscious disregard for the rights of
others or engaged in ‘particularly egregious’ misconduct. . . . [Plaintiff’s allegations [stating
otherwise] are unsupported and inadmissible hearsay and punitive damages are therefore
inappropriate under the applicable heightened standard.”) Plaintiff has not provided any
comparable cases from this Circuit to persuade the Court otherwise. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s claim
for punitive damages is DENIED.
4. FLSA Damages
The FLSA requires employers to pay their employees a minimum wage of $7.25. 29 U.S.C.
§ 206(a)(1). Further, as to overtime, “no employer shall employ any . . . employees . . . for a
workweek longer than forty hours unless such employee receives compensation . . . at a rate not
less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which he is employed.” 29 U.S.C. § 207(a).
The FLSA also provides for liquidated damages:
Any employer who violates the provisions of section 206 or section
207 of this title shall be liable to the employee or employees affected
in the amount of their unpaid minimum wages, or their unpaid
overtime compensation, as the case may be, and in an additional
equal amount as liquidated damages.
29 U.S.C. § 216(b); Martin v. Selker Bros., 949 F.2d 1286, 1299 (3d Cir. 1991); Brusstar v. South
Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority, 1988 WL 85657, at *6 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 17, 1988).
“Liquidated damages,” as defined by the FLSA, are equal to double the total amount of unpaid
time calculated payment. Brooks v. Vill. of Ridgefield Park, 185 F.3d 130, 137 (3d Cir. 1999).
To avoid or limit the damages under the FLSA, once a violation has been established, a

Defendant must demonstrate that it acted in an objectively reasonable manner and subjectively
had an honest intention to follow the mandates of the FLSA. Id.; Brusstar, 1988 WL 85657, at *6.
Consequently, “double damages are the norm, single damages the exception.” Martin v. Cooper
Elec. Supply Co., 940 F.2d 896, 908 (3d Cir. 1991). Indeed, “[i]f the employer fails to carry its
burden of demonstrating good faith and reasonable grounds, the award of liquidated damages is
mandatory.” Martin, 949 F.2d at 1299.
Plaintiff was not paid for working on November 3, 2012, a day on which he worked eight
(8) hours. (ECF No. 35 at 18:7-12; P-2.) Pursuant to the FLSA, he is entitled to damages “in the
amount of [his] unpaid minimum wages.” 29 U.S.C. § 216(b) (emphasis added). Therefore,
Plaintiff is awarded $58.00 7 for November 3, exclusive of liquidated damages.
In contrast, the Court may look at Plaintiff’s regular rate to calculate his overtime.
Plaintiff’s hourly wage, exclusive of 401k contributions, was $13.48. On November 11, 2012, a
holiday on which Protection Plus and Haran should have provided pay for time and a half (ECF
No. 35 at 18:25-19:1), Plaintiff was not paid his additional half-time (ECF No. 35 at 18:25-19:3).
Therefore, Plaintiff is entitled to his additional half-time pay of $53.92, 8 exclusive of liquidated
damages, for working on a holiday on November 11, 2012.
Plaintiff is entitled to liquidated damages for his unpaid wages since Protection Plus and
Haran, by failing to appear, have not demonstrated to this Court that they acted in an objectively
reasonable manner. Therefore, Plaintiff’s total unpaid wages under the FLSA total $111.92.9
Plaintiff is entitled to liquidated damages which totals $223.84. 10 Protection Plus and Haran are
jointly and severally liable. Thompson v. Real Estate Mortg. Network, 748 F.3d 142, 148 (3d Cir.
$7.25 [minimum wage] * 8 [hours worked]
($13.48 [regular hourly rate] * 8 [hours worked]) / 2 [half time]
9
$58.00 [November 3] + $53.92 [November 11]
10
$111.92 [unpaid wages] * 2 [liquidated damages]
7
8

2014).
IV. CONCLUSION
Plaintiff is awarded back pay in the amount of $133,888.00; compensatory damages in the
amount of $10,000.00; and FLSA damages in the amount of $223.84. Plaintiff is awarded, in sum,
$144,111.84. An appropriate judgment will follow.

Date: February 23, 2017
/s/ Brian R. Martinotti
HON. BRIAN R. MARTINOTTI

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE