Two shareholders/officers of the dissolved corporation Bright Petroleum Inc. d/b/a The Bright Market will pay $15,000 to a former employee and provide other relief to settle a retaliation lawsuit filed by the EEOC.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, Bright Petroleum, Inc. terminated Deli Manager Michelle Bunte in retaliation for filing a charge of discrimination with the EEOC. Bright Petroleum, Inc. is the former owner/operator of The Bright Market, a food market and gas station located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

The consent decree settling the suit states Bunte will be paid $15,000, and Bright Market will be subject to penalties for late payments.  Former shareholders/officers of Bright Petroleum, Inc., June and Jay Tucker, will be prohibited from engaging in any further retaliation against employees who exercise their rights to complain about discrimination or assist in an investigation or discrimination-related proceeding for any businesses which the Tuckers own, operate or manage. All references to Bunte's charge and participation in the lawsuit will be removed from her personnel file and not shared with prospective employers of Bunte. Bunte will also be given a signed letter of reference. The Tuckers will report to the EEOC for a three-year period, detailing their compliance with the decree.

Employers play with fire when they retaliate against an employee who complains of discrimination. The Indianapolis District Director said he was pleased the EEOC charge process resulted in solving the alleged retaliation, despite the fact the charged corporation dissolved in 2013.