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SEC Division of Enforcement Director Woodcock Issues Remarks at 26th Annual A.A. Sommer Lecture
NEW YORK, Nov. 11 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following remarks by Division of Enforcement Director Woodcock:
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Remarks at the 26th Annual A.A. Sommer Lecture
New York, N.Y. Nov. 10, 2026
Thank you for that kind introduction.
I am pleased to be here at Fordham Law School for the A.A. Sommer Lecture. I want to thank the SEC Historical Society, Morgan Lewis, and everyone who helped organize for making this such an important and lasting event.
It is an honor to participate in a program named for Al Sommer, whose service to the Commission helped shape our modern securities
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Nov. 11 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following remarks by Division of Enforcement Director Woodcock:
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Remarks at the 26th Annual A.A. Sommer Lecture
New York, N.Y. Nov. 10, 2026
Thank you for that kind introduction.
I am pleased to be here at Fordham Law School for the A.A. Sommer Lecture. I want to thank the SEC Historical Society, Morgan Lewis, and everyone who helped organize for making this such an important and lasting event.
It is an honor to participate in a program named for Al Sommer, whose service to the Commission helped shape our modern securitiesmarkets. As a former practicing CPA, I'd be remiss not to recognize his commitment to the integrity of the accounting profession and his distinguished service as Chairman of the Public Oversight Board.
Commissioner Sommer understood that strong capital markets depend on investor confidence, that investor confidence depends on market integrity, and that effective enforcement is an indispensable link in that chain. A lot has changed in our capital markets since he served on the Commission, but the principles that Commissioner Sommer promoted endure.
Before I begin, allow me to share the standard disclaimer: I am speaking today in my official capacity as Director of the Division of Enforcement, but the views I express are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission, the Commissioners, or my colleagues on the staff.
Earlier today, the Commission released its annual enforcement report. I will begin with a brief discussion of what the report reveals about the year behind. But, since you are free to read the report, the metrics included, and our supporting discussion on your own, I will focus my remarks on the path ahead for the Enforcement Division, and why I am confident in our direction.
On the numbers: in fiscal year 2026, the Commission filed 348 enforcement actions, including 235 standalone actions and 113 follow-on proceedings. The SEC obtained orders for approximately $1.1 billion in monetary relief and returned $731 million to harmed investors. The Commission also instituted 13 trading suspensions in response to suspected manipulation involving Asia-based issuers, and sought individual accountability in approximately two-thirds of our standalone actions.
These figures offer those we serve - the investing public - as well as Congress and other stakeholders, a glimpse into our enforcement program and stewardship of public resources. The numbers are important because the enforcement actions underneath them reflect the excellent work of an extraordinary staff.
But activity and effectiveness are not the same. Case counts are relevant, but alone they cannot tell us whether a fraud was stopped before more investors were harmed; whether voluntary remediation addressed an issue before it metastasized and did not result in a case being brought; or whether visible enforcement is successfully deterring misconduct. Even a large judgment does not tell us whether money reached the harmed investors. Those distinctions are of great consequence--and they belong in any intellectually honest and holistic assessment of our effectiveness. In a recent interview, former Enforcement Co-Director Steve Peikin recalled frustration at the amount of time he and Stephanie Avakian spent managing the docket to keep case counts and financial remedies roughly consistent with earlier periods, because those figures are not particularly good measures of effectiveness. Steve, the feeling is mutual.
Case counts declined this past year. Some of that is attributable to the lengthy government shutdown, some of it to a transition in personnel, priorities, and the allocation of investigative resources. That context matters.
But the bigger takeaway I am reiterating today is that Chairman Atkins has given us room to focus on strengthening the program rather than maximizing any single year's totals--an important opportunity we have seized upon. It is also an opportunity I believe my predecessors would have welcomed. It is a chance to examine all aspects of our program and put the necessary pieces in place for stronger and more effective enforcement. And it is a philosophical shift that I hope will endure well beyond my tenure.
This brings me to my central message: we have all the pieces in place for an enforcement program of the highest caliber. A program that is effective, modern, and exacting. And one that is worthy of the investors we serve.
Specifically, these pieces I'll touch on this evening are purpose, capability, modernization, coordination, and execution.
First, on purpose. Our purpose is to protect investors, and our priorities are clear--misconduct that harms investors, degrades market integrity, or both. That includes fraud in all its forms, market manipulation, insider trading, financial reporting misconduct, and abuses of investor trust, among other frauds. That also includes violating investor-protection safeguards; we will not wait until investor losses pile up before we take these violations seriously. We are also emphasizing conduct that impacts retail investors and market integrity, and we are promoting deterrence by holding responsible individuals accountable.
Our new Financial Reporting and Accounting Unit brings together lawyers and accountants to investigate complex reporting misconduct. Our Retail Fraud Working Group brings concentrated attention and analytical tools to schemes targeting everyday investors. And our reorganized Trial Unit strengthens our litigation capacity. These initiatives are not simply changes to an organizational chart. Going forward, you should expect to see these changes increase our capability to detect misconduct earlier, develop evidence more effectively, and bring stronger cases we are prepared to prove in court.
Purpose also extends to respecting Enforcement's proper role. Vigorous enforcement and clear regulatory expectations go hand in hand. Enforcement should not substitute for transparent rulemaking. Markets and investors are better off with clear rules that are enforced fairly and consistently. A healthy enforcement program protects investors without deterring innovation or discouraging market participants from taking prudent risks. The Division recognizes this balance. Going forward, you should expect to see an enforcement program continuing to work in concert with a clear regulatory and rulemaking agenda, while acting decisively to hold bad actors accountable, regardless of their industry.
The second piece of our program is capability, backed by the ability to litigate. Our Enforcement staff are second to none and over the years, as Commissioner Sommer said in 1996, the staff "has never lacked in courage," and has "done more to raise the moral level of the marketplace than any other institution, public or private, in the United States. With that in mind, we are investing in our leaders in a big way because capable leadership is essential to continuing our highly capable enforcement. As one example of our efforts, we recently launched a leadership training program for our new and experienced supervisors and are working closely with leadership to better identify risks early and complete investigative milestones in a timely and efficient manner. A supervisor who helps a team move a matter forward by resolving a difficult evidentiary issue or making a timely decision not only improves the course of an entire investigation but helps us get to a better result more efficiently.
The third piece in place is modernization. With today's rapidly changing technology, we must keep pace with the markets and those who seek to exploit them. For this reason, our new Office of Super Intelligence & Analytics is designed to bring advanced analytical tools directly into investigative work: identifying patterns, reviewing large volumes of documents, and tracing financial flows. The Office better positions the Division to meet ever-evolving threats, including SI-enabled fraud and manipulation schemes. Importantly, the point is not to replace careful human judgment. It is to give our staff better information, sooner, so they can exercise that judgment more effectively. Going forward, you should expect to see the Division leveraging these tools to adapt and respond to both longstanding and emerging threats to investors and our markets.
The fourth piece of our program is coordination. Our Cross-Border Task Force, for example, is already coordinating with domestic and foreign authorities to strengthen transnational enforcement, recognizing a modern reality: schemes can cross jurisdictions faster than any one agency can investigate them. We realized early returns from this initiative last year. And moving forward, you should expect to see even more enforcement activity being driven by this effort.
We also strengthened coordination with criminal authorities and fellow regulators, while respecting the distinct responsibilities of each. The objective is complementary action and reinforcement that better protects investors, not competition over who gets a notable statistic.
Not least of all, the fifth piece of our program is disciplined, fair execution. Executing on our mission does not mean imposing arbitrary deadlines or sacrificing rigor. It means recognizing that delay has consequences, both for investors who may remain vulnerable and for people and businesses under investigation.
Fairness certainly belongs in this discussion, too, which is why we updated our Enforcement Manual and made our Wells process more robust. That dialogue--in which we test our theories against the evidence, listen to contrary arguments, and distinguish culpability carefully--is a critical part of effective enforcement. Fairness also means that meaningful self-reporting, cooperation, and remediation receive serious consideration, just as misconduct receives a serious response. Going forward, we will continue to evaluate and improve our processes, and you should expect to see staff moving as fairly as they do urgently.
Taken together, these five pieces define an effective enforcement program that is fulfilling its responsibility to investors and will do so for years to come. And while they are among the most consequential, many other promising pieces are in place, and you will hear more about those in the months to come.
Let me close where I began: with the legacy of Al Sommer. Commissioner Sommer understood that the strength of our securities markets depends on public confidence in their fairness and integrity. That confidence is earned through the consistent application of the law, the willingness to confront serious misconduct, and the integrity of the institutions charged with protecting investors.
Today, the pieces aligned with those principles are in place. And we are putting them to work--case by case, decision by decision--to continue delivering an enforcement program that is worthy of the investors we serve.
And now, Carolyn, I look forward to our conversation.
Thank you.
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/woodcock-remarks-aa-sommer-lecture-111026
FCC Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau Issues Public Notice: Region 8 (New York Metropolitan, Northern New Jersey) Regional Planning Committees to Hold 700 MHZ, 800 MHZ Meetings
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued the following public notice (PS Docket No. 23-237; WT Docket No. 02-378):
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The Region 8 (New York Metropolitan and Northern New Jersey)/1 Regional Planning Committees (RPCs) will hold their 2027 quarterly meetings both in person and virtually. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the needs of the 700 and 800 MHz spectrum users including public safety, public health, emergency management, and public utility services. The 700 MHz meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued the following public notice (PS Docket No. 23-237; WT Docket No. 02-378):
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The Region 8 (New York Metropolitan and Northern New Jersey)/1 Regional Planning Committees (RPCs) will hold their 2027 quarterly meetings both in person and virtually. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the needs of the 700 and 800 MHz spectrum users including public safety, public health, emergency management, and public utility services. The 700 MHz meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m.and the 800 MHz meetings will immediately follow on the dates specified below:
* Thursday, February 11, 2027 - Bergen County Public Safety Operations EOC, 285 Campgaw Rd, Mahwah, NJ
* Thursday, May 13, 2027 - Rockland County Fire Academy, 35 Firemen's Memorial Dr, Pomona, NY
* Thursday, September 9, 2027 - Bergen County Public Safety Operations EOC, 285 Campgaw Rd, Mahwah, NJ
* Thursday, December 9, 2027 - Rockland County Fire Academy, 35 Firemen's Memorial Dr, Pomona, NY
The agenda for the 700 MHz meetings includes:
* Review and Approve Meeting Agenda
* Review and Approve Previous Meeting Report
* Interoperability (SIEC/SWIC Reports)
- State of New York
- State of New Jersey
- State of Connecticut
* 700 MHz Technical Subcommittee
- Applications' Status
- Adjacent Region Concurrence Requests
* 700 MHz Plan Updates
* Old Business
* New Business/Comments
* Next Meeting - TBA
* Adjourn
The agenda for the 800 MHz meetings includes:
* Review and Approve Meeting Agenda
* Review and Approve Previous Meeting Report
* 800MHz Technical Subcommittee
- Applications' Status
- Adjacent Region Concurrence requests
* NRPC Updates
* 800 MHz Plan Updates
* Old Business
* New Business/Comments
* Next Meeting - TBA
* Adjourn
All eligible public safety providers whose sole purpose or principal purpose is to protect the safety of life, health, or property in Region 8 would utilize these frequencies. It is essential that not only public safety, but all government, Native American Tribal, and non-governmental organizations eligible under Section 90.523 of the Commission's Rules are represented to ensure that each agency's future spectrum needs are considered in the allocation process. Interested parties wishing to participate in the planning process for utilization of the new public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz and 800 MHz are encouraged to attend.
The Region Secretary will email a notice including virtual meeting link information two weeks prior to each meeting. For additional information concerning these meetings, or to be put on the Region's email list, please contact either the Region 8 Chair or Secretary listed below.
Maribel Martinez, Chair
FCC Region 8 700 and 800 MHz Planning Committees
Radio Engineering Manager, Division of Operations
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233
Office: (518) 402-9056
Maribel.Martinez@dec.ny.gov
David K. Stern, Secretary
FCC Region 8 700 and 800 MHz Planning Committees
V-COMM, L.L.C.
1090 King Georges Post Road, Suite 301
Edison, NJ 08837
Office: (609) 900-3366
david.stern@vcomm-eng.com
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Footnote:
1/ The Region 8 700 MHz and 800 MHz regional planning area consists of the following counties in New York State and New Jersey: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties, New York; Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union, Warren, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey. Region 8's 800 MHz planning area also includes the following counties from Connecticut: Fairfield, Litchfield, New Haven, and Middlesex Counties, Connecticut.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1213A1.pdf
FCC Issues Notice of Unauthorized Operation, Notification of Harmful Interference
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau issued a Notice of Unauthorized Operation and Notification of Harmful Interference (Case Number: EB-FIELDNER-26-00041304) following an investigation into emergency communications disruption in Pennsylvania.
The action stems from a complaint submitted by Allegheny County Emergency Services regarding interference to equipment operating on channel 470.4375 MHz in Pittsburgh. On September 9, 2026, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Columbia Office conducted an investigation and located the source: a BTech UV-50PRO
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau issued a Notice of Unauthorized Operation and Notification of Harmful Interference (Case Number: EB-FIELDNER-26-00041304) following an investigation into emergency communications disruption in Pennsylvania.
The action stems from a complaint submitted by Allegheny County Emergency Services regarding interference to equipment operating on channel 470.4375 MHz in Pittsburgh. On September 9, 2026, agents from the Enforcement Bureau's Columbia Office conducted an investigation and located the source: a BTech UV-50PROmobile radio situated inside a vehicle operated by Samuel Connelly of Ambridge. Agents observed continuous unauthorized transmissions and a rebroadcast of dispatch traffic. The interference stopped once Connelly turned off the device.
FCC records showed Connelly lacked a license to operate radio equipment on that frequency, violating Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934. Additionally, causing interference to authorized public safety radio systems violates Section 333 of the Act and part 97.101(d) of Commission rules.
The FCC warned that unlicensed operations and willful interference carry severe penalties, including fines, equipment seizure, or imprisonment. Connelly has 10 days to submit a written response detailing corrective measures.
-- Vidhi Gianani, Targeted News service
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-1217A1.pdf
SEC Chairman Atkins Issues Closing Remarks at Roundtable on Machine-Understandable Data in the Age of Super Intelligence
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following remarks by Chairman Paul S. Atkins:
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Closing Remarks at Roundtable on Machine-Understandable Data in the Age of Super Intelligence
Washington D.C. Nov. 9, 2026
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us today for this important discussion on machine-understandable data in the age of super intelligence, or SI.
Before I offer a few closing reflections, I must note that the views I express are my own as Chairman and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission or of my fellow
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following remarks by Chairman Paul S. Atkins:
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Closing Remarks at Roundtable on Machine-Understandable Data in the Age of Super Intelligence
Washington D.C. Nov. 9, 2026
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us today for this important discussion on machine-understandable data in the age of super intelligence, or SI.
Before I offer a few closing reflections, I must note that the views I express are my own as Chairman and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commission or of my fellowCommissioner.
Today, we are at the frontier of a new era for financial information and innovation. When I served as an SEC Commissioner two decades ago, many of the machine-understandable disclosures that investors and researchers now take for granted were just beginning to emerge. Financial disclosures designed primarily for people to read are increasingly processed and analyzed by machines. And advances in machine learning and, more recently, generative systems have dramatically expanded the pace and possibilities of financial analysis.
As our DERA staff discussed this morning, the Commission makes 15 data sets available to the public free of cost. In recent years, demand for these resources has grown significantly. In fact, over the past two years, use of the Financial Statement Data Set alone has multiplied more than fivefold. That growth sends a clear message: accessible, standardized data has genuine value.
Lowering the cost of obtaining and analyzing such financial information can empower investors, foster competition, and reduce barriers to entry. Importantly, better data need not mean more disclosure. Often, the greater opportunity lies in making the information that companies already disclose more accessible and useful, without imposing unnecessary burdens on issuers.
Of course, these opportunities must be pursued thoughtfully. SI offers extraordinary potential to improve efficiency and expand access to information. But it does not eliminate the responsibility of issuers to produce, verify, and defend the information that they disclose. The same technologies that can analyze information at unprecedented speed and scale can also magnify errors and missing context. To that end, accuracy and comparability, along with cybersecurity and appropriate oversight, remain essential.
Today's panelists--including technology and data providers, investors, operating companies, practitioners, and academics--offered valuable perspectives on this topic from across our markets. Their insights underscore a fundamental point: even the most sophisticated technology depends on the quality of the information that it uses.
Consider, for example, a high-performance engine. However powerful or finely engineered, it is only as good as the fuel that goes into it. And the same is true of the technologies discussed today: high-quality, well-structured, and trustworthy data is the propellant that allows them to reach their full potential. And while good data cannot eliminate every risk, poor data can undermine even the most sophisticated analytical tools and send our engine sputtering down the road.
That is why this discussion matters. It helps us better understand not only how SI is changing the way that financial information is used, but also how we can encourage innovation while remaining mindful of costs, protecting investors, and preserving market integrity.
As we consider potential next steps, I encourage market participants and other interested parties to continue engaging creatively and thoughtfully with the Commission. Your perspectives will remain invaluable as we work to ensure that our approach to data and SI reflects the practical needs of today's markets.
In closing, I should like to express my sincere thanks to today's panelists and moderators for sharing their time and expertise, as well as the dedicated staff of DERA's Office of Data Standards and Innovation for organizing this timely and informative roundtable.
Thank you.
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/speeches-statements/atkins-remarks-super-intelligence-110926
NRC Issues First Construction Permit in Nearly 60 Years for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release:
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NRC Issues First Construction Permit in Nearly 60 Years for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor
November 9, 2026
Third advanced reactor construction permit this year clears
the way for 4-reactor project to supply industrial steam and electricity in Texas
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ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a construction permit for the Long Mott Generating Station in Calhoun County, Texas -- the first construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor in nearly 60 years.
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the following news release:
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NRC Issues First Construction Permit in Nearly 60 Years for High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor
November 9, 2026
Third advanced reactor construction permit this year clears
the way for 4-reactor project to supply industrial steam and electricity in Texas
-
ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a construction permit for the Long Mott Generating Station in Calhoun County, Texas -- the first construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor in nearly 60 years.It is the third advanced reactor construction permit the NRC has issued this year, clearing the way for Long Mott Energy to build a four-reactor facility.
Designed to include four X-energy Xe-100 reactors, the facility will primarily generate high-temperature steam for industrial use at the Dow Seadrift Operations site. Excess electricity will be exported to the grid.
The permit marks several regulatory firsts for the NRC: its first approval of a multimodule advanced reactor facility; its first approval of a reactor with a pebble-bed core; its first approval of a design featuring online nuclear refueling; and its first review of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor under the agency's risk-informed, technology-inclusive Licensing Modernization Project framework.
"Today, the new NRC is issuing America's first construction permit for a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor in more than half a century," NRC Chairman Ho K. Nieh said. "We delivered on the 18-month schedule, proving we can do rigorous safety reviews on predictable timelines that move advanced nuclear technology from design to construction."
NRC staff completed the comprehensive safety evaluation in October, one month ahead of schedule. The agency issued its Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact in May.
The construction permit authorizes the company to build the facility but does not authorize operation. Before loading fuel or operating the reactors, the company must obtain a separate operating license from the NRC. More information about the Long Mott Generating Station project is available on the NRC website (https://www.nrc.gov/facilities-safety/new-reactors/advanced-reactors/who-were-working-with/advanced-reactor-application-projects/long-mott-energy-llc).
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Original text here: https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/news-releases/2026/26-083
Federal Maritime Commission Docket Update for Orleans International Vs. Hapag Lloyd AG
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Maritime Commission officials received a second amended complaint from Orleans International, Inc. against Hapag Lloyd AG (Docket No. 26-04).
The complainant alleges shipping law violations regarding disputed demurrage and detention charges.
These issues arose when container pickup and return abilities were constrained by circumstances beyond the firm's control.
Hapag Lloyd AG must answer within 25 days. An initial judge decision is scheduled for March 19, 2027, with the final ruling set for October 4, 2027.
-- Vidhi Gianani, Targeted News Service
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... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (TNSdock) -- The Federal Maritime Commission officials received a second amended complaint from Orleans International, Inc. against Hapag Lloyd AG (Docket No. 26-04).
The complainant alleges shipping law violations regarding disputed demurrage and detention charges.
These issues arose when container pickup and return abilities were constrained by circumstances beyond the firm's control.
Hapag Lloyd AG must answer within 25 days. An initial judge decision is scheduled for March 19, 2027, with the final ruling set for October 4, 2027.
-- Vidhi Gianani, Targeted News Service
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Orleans International Inc. is based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Hapag Lloyd AG is based in Hamburg, Germany.
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URL: Orleans International Inc.
Hapag Lloyd AG
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Original text here: https://www2.fmc.gov/readingroom/docs/26-04/(38)%2026-04%20Not.%20Filing%20Second%20Amended%20Compl%20(public).pdf/
A.W. Farrell & Son to Pay $270,000 in EEOC Sex Discrimination Lawsuit
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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A.W. Farrell & Son to Pay $270,000 in EEOC Sex Discrimination Lawsuit
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A.W. Farrell & Son, Inc., along with two related commercial roofing companies operating in New York and Pennsylvania, will pay $270,000 and furnish other relief to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
In the lawsuit, the EEOC charged that a journeyman roofer's supervisor subjected him to months
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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A.W. Farrell & Son to Pay $270,000 in EEOC Sex Discrimination Lawsuit
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A.W. Farrell & Son, Inc., along with two related commercial roofing companies operating in New York and Pennsylvania, will pay $270,000 and furnish other relief to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
In the lawsuit, the EEOC charged that a journeyman roofer's supervisor subjected him to monthsof unwelcome physical contact, including grabbing the area around his buttocks and jabbing his buttocks with various objects -- one time with enough force that the object penetrated him through his clothing. The supervisor also subjected the employee to repeated and unwelcome sexual comments. When the roofer reported the harassment to the company, it failed to appropriately address the conduct, and instead told the roofer to give his supervisor "another chance." When he realized the company would not protect him from future harassment, the roofer resigned in April 2022, the EEOC said.
"An employee should never be forced to resign and lose his livelihood in order to avoid being sexually harassed," said Kimberly A. Cruz, regional attorney for the EEOC's New York District. "What happened in this case was incredibly egregious, and we are glad we were able to obtain a measure of justice for this employee."
Such alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. A.W. Farrell & Son, Inc., et al., Case No. 25-cv-00953) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.
Arlean Nieto, acting director of the EEOC's New York District, said, "By enacting strong policies and procedures to ensure that complaints of sexual harassment are taken seriously and adequately investigated, employers can better fulfill their obligations under federal law to create a work environment free from harassment."
In addition to the $270,000 in monetary relief, the three-year consent decree settling the suit requires anti-discrimination training; updates to company anti-discrimination policies; compliance-related reporting to the EEOC; and the posting of a notice in the workplace informing employees of the settlement and their rights under federal anti-discrimination law. In addition, the decree requires the roofing company to engage an outside professional whom employees may contact with any future reports of sex discrimination or harassment.
Along with A.W. Farrell, the other two companies covered by the decree are Jameson Roofing Company, Inc., and Northwestern Roofing Co., Inc.
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Original text here: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/aw-farrell-son-pay-270000-eeoc-sex-discrimination-lawsuit
