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Jury awards Cleveland woman $900K in age discrimination employment case

CLEVELAND, OH - A Cleveland jury in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Wednesday returned a $900,000 verdict in a significant employment discrimination lawsuit brought by a former employee of Cleveland's University Hospitals Case Medical Center. The lawsuit filed by Gloria Parks against University Hospitals alleged that Parks, a medical assistant, was discriminated against because of her age when she was terminated from her job of 30 years in July of 2008.  

After a seven-day trial in the courtroom of Judge Carolyn Friedland, the jury found that age was a determining factor in University Hospitals' decision to terminate Ms. Parks' employment. Parks was awarded $450,000 for her economic loss and $450,000 for other compensatory damages.

"We are thrilled that Gloria Parks received the justice that she deserved from the jury", said renowned civil rights lawyer Ellen S. Simon, of counsel with McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal & Liffman, and lead attorney on this case. "Nothing could be better than to see Ms. Parks have the opportunity to be vindicated. What happened to Gloria was tragic and shouldn't happen to anyone."

Parks' lawsuit charged that her termination stemmed from a patient identification incident in July of 2008, involving Parks and a younger co-worker in the pre-admission testing department where they both worked. The mix-up occurred when two patients with the identical name appeared at the department on the same morning to get their blood drawn. UH claimed that Parks failed to follow the proper patient identification policy, but witnesses testified that the policy was not enforced in the department and not properly followed by the employee who checked the patient in that day, pulled the wrong medical chart, and passed it off to Parks.

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Chagrin Falls man indicted for mortgage fraud

Chagrin Falls man indicted for mortgage fraud

A federal grand jury in Cleveland, Ohio returned a 37-count indictment today against 17 individuals in connection with a $7.7 million mortgage fraud conspiracy.

Those charged, including their ages, residences, and the charges filed against them, are as follows:

DEFENDANT - AGE ADDRESSES CHARGES

Dennis Springer - 30 Maple Heights, Ohio Conspiracy, 9 counts Wire
Fraud, 5 counts Bank Fraud, 1count Mail Fraud, 13 counts Money Laundering

Jermaine Lewis - 31 University Heights, Ohio Conspiracy, 9 counts Wire Fraud, 4 counts Bank Fraud, 1 count Mail Fraud, 4 counts Money Laundering

Daniel Layton - 54 Concord, Ohio Conspiracy, 5 counts Wire Fraud 3, counts Mail Fraud

Patrick O'Connor -51 Chagrin Falls, Ohio Conspiracy, 4 counts Wire Fraud, 2 counts Mail Fraud, 1 count Bank Fraud

Tiffeney Dennis - 37 Richmond Heights, Ohio Conspiracy, 10 counts Wire Fraud, 2 counts Mail Fraud

William Seawright - 61 aka Aqil Cleveland, Ohio Conspiracy, 1 count Wire Fraud

Jeffrey Owens -30 Cleveland Heights, Ohio Conspiracy, 3 counts Wire Fraud

Mailien Hall-30 Englewood, Ohio Conspiracy, 3 counts Bank Fraud, 2 counts Wire Fraud

Marcia Hood-56 Cleveland, Ohio Conspiracy, 4 counts Bank Fraud, 2 counts Wire Fraud

Loren Segal - 34 Highland Heights, Ohio Conspiracy, 3 counts Wire Fraud, 2 counts Bank Fraud

Travis Craig - 32 Murfreesboro, Tennessee Conspiracy

Shurrell Stevens-38 Maple Heights, Ohio Conspiracy, 1 count Wire Fraud

Darnell Sanders- 31 North Royalton, Ohio Conspiracy, 4 counts Wire Fraud, 1 count Mail Fraud

Jacqueline Barnes-27 Parma, Ohio Conspiracy

Krystal Hill- 27 Cleveland, Ohio Conspiracy, 2 counts Wire Fraud

Loranelle Laffite-30 Cleveland, Ohio Conspiracy, 1 count Wire Fraud, 1 count Bank Fraud

Brian Niec-53 Brecksville, Ohio Conspiracy, 1 count Wire Fraud, 1 count Bank Fraud

The indictment alleges th

Case Western Reserve University presents "SPRINGWORKS"

Case Western Reserve University presents "SPRINGWORKS"

Case Western Reserve University Master of Fine Arts candidates Sherry Harper and Shelley Blanton Strong will present a joint concert, Springworks, at Mather Dance Center on the university campus. 

The concert features solo works danced by the choreographers, ensemble works choreographed by Harper and Blanton Strong and performances by graduate and undergraduate performers from the university’s department of dance. Springworks runs Thursday, March 24, through Saturday, March 26, at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. on March 27.  The concert is performed at 11201 Bellflower Road, in Cleveland.

The Program

 A Voice Foretold is a portrayal of a divine yet earthly character inspired from the Yoruban Orisha, Oshun, a spirit goddess who reigns over intimacy, love, beauty and wealth and who also acts as peacemaker and mediator. Choreographed and performed by Harper, this strong, yet tranquil piece embodies the qualities of Oshun,

 Serenity’s Path is a group work, also choreographed by Harper. This dance is based on the idea that there is a break in every storm and tranquility can arrive when you least expect it.  This dynamic piece originally premiered in fall 2009.

The Urban League of Greater Cleveland..Call for Nominations Now Open

The Urban League of Greater Cleveland..Call for Nominations Now Open

The Urban League of Greater Cleveland and Verizon Wireless this week announced a call for nominations for “Everyday Heroes,” a Black History Month program aimed at recognizing modern day champions who make a difference in the community and touch the lives of others. Everyday Heroes are the teachers, mentors, volunteers, clergy or family members who give their time and resources in creative ways to affect change—either in the life of an individual, family, school or community.

“The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is pleased to partner with Verizon Wireless in the Everyday Heroes program, especially during our Black History Month celebration,” said Marsha Mockabee, president of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. “As we honor the heroes upon whose shoulders we stand, we also turn our attention to the ‘unsung heroes’ making a difference every day through selfless acts in their communities.  Recognizing such individuals is just another way of continuing the legacy of empowerment at the Urban League.”

“Everyday Heroes is a great opportunity to express your gratitude to someone who has empowered you or inspired you through their community service,” said Mark Frazier, president – Ohio/Pennsylvania/West Virginia Region, Verizon Wireless. “We recognize the power of one person to create change and improve their surrounding environment. Everyday Heroes is an extension of our commitment to the Cleveland area, and we’re proud to partner with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, an organization that is heroic in its own right, on such a worthy program.”

To learn more, visit www.VerizonEverydayHeroes.com for full contest rules and to submit a nomination. Or visit the Urban League of Greater Cleveland at 2930 Prospect Avenue
in Cleveland to pick up a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 24.

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Cleveland State University single-handedly transforming Euclid Avenue

Posted by Web Staff - email | Facebook | Twitter

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - Cleveland State University has single-handedly transformed Euclid Avenue.

Over the past three and a half years, the school has built four major new buildings including an education building, a new student center and two new dorms. The project has cost the school millions of dollars to transform the new 138-thousand square foot student center on Euclid Avenue.

What used to be a University where students would come to learn and leave after class has now changed. Students are hanging around, eating meals on campus and getting work done on campus.

This is all part of CSU's plan to make the university have a more campus neighborhood instead of being a commuter college. It offers students destinations from a book store to five dining areas. 

Copyright 2011 WOIO. All rights reserved.

Cleveland State’s 32nd Annual Spring Career Fair

CLEVELAND, OH - Cleveland State University’s Career Services Center will sponsor the 32nd  Annual Spring Career Fair on Friday, March 4 from 9  a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University’s Physical Education Center (Woodling Gymnasium), located at 2451 Euclid Avenue.  

The Career Fair offers all college students, recent college graduates and current professionals the opportunity to meet with more than 100 employers from all career fields: health care, business, engineering, social work, education, government, finance and the liberal arts. Employers attending include top corporations, small businesses, school systems, hospitals and social services agencies.

Admission to the Fair is free and all majors and professions are welcome to attend.  Please bring a supply of resumes. Business attire is strongly recommended.  

In addition, Pre-Career Week is February 22-25 and includes workshops on networking, resume writing and working the Career Fair.

The 6th Annual Etiquette Dinner is Thursday, February 24 from 5-8 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Reservations are required by calling 216.687.2233.

Spring Career Week takes place February 28-March 4 and includes:

* Mock interviews by recruiters from Sherwin-Williams Company
* “Working for the FBI” presented by FBI recruiters
* Workshops on salary negotiations, creating an online portfolio, how body language affects interviewing, careers in government and much more

New Rules: Cleveland Police have new guidelines for handling sex assaults

Posted by Web Staff - email

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) - Cleveland Police have new guidelines for handling reports of sex assaults.

A new policy has just been issued regarding the collection and preservation of evidence mainly by the first responding officer.

Cleveland Police are under fire for their handling of sex assault cases since eleven bodies were found in and around the home of accused serial killer Anthony Sowell.

The policy calls for a "heightened sensitivity" for all those reporting a sex assault.

19 Action News will have a full breakdown of the new policy on 19 Action News First at Four.

Copyright 2011 WOIO. All rights reserved.