The AC Phoenix
December 2002
Page 47
U.S. Justice Department
Investigating Cracker
Barrel Chain
Nashville, Tenn. (AP) - The U.S. Justice Department Is investigating
discriminE ■' ^ Barrel Old Country Store Inc., the
restaurant rsday.
Crackei )BRL Group Inc. of Lebanon, said
it is respo ’ the Justice Department under the
Civil Right
“It’s an ipany’s policies and procedures,”
company aid.
“They’v srmation, ranging from store loca
tions to tr;
■ In tradir rrk Stock Exchange, CBRL shares
dropped 6 s, to $23.28.
Davis Si investigation stemmed from a civil
lawsuit, fil !S Cracker Barrel of widespread
racism.
“Becau! g with the Justice Department, we
don’t kno\ liminary request for information or
how exter d.
Justice uid not be reached for comment.
But pla brd said the class-action federal
lawsuit, w rrompted the Justice Department
probe.
“I’m no' !. ...I can tell you the investigation
has been se of the last few months,” said
Sanford, £ ation’s largest civil rights law firms,
Gordon, hilds of Birmingham, Ala., and
Washington.
At least 42 plaintiffs, including the rel, which
owns and operates 450 restauran ed black
customers in the smoking section a
Black customers from 16 states icial slurs
and served food taken from the tra some 400
witnesses, including Cracker Barrel . Cracker
Barrel management ignored or cone ay.
But Davis said Cracker Barrel is c will show
the company “has policies in place t( ignity and
respect.”
“Cracker Barrel treats all people p
Thomas Pate, Cracker Barrel’s lagement
training and development for 15 yea i it ridicu
lous to believe h’e would let racists rants and
discriminate against patrons.
Criginally filed in December in U. >, Ga., the
lawsuit was amended when the N/ laintiffs in
April.
Also pending in the same court, 5 wsuit filed
by about a dozen Cracker Barrel em
They allege black workers were s irkers and
generally received “back of the hou cook and
dishwasher.
Cn The Net:Cracker Bai :
http;//www.cra
CBRL Group Inc.: h
Leqal Notice
African Americans and Other Non-Caucasians Could
Get Benefits In A Settlement About Metropolitan
Life Insurance Policies Sold Before 1973
A settlement has been proposed in a class action lawsuit about whether, before
1973, Metropolitan charged more to insure African Americans and other
non-Caucasians than it charged to insure Caucasians. People included in the
settlement could get cash or other valuable benefits, like increased insurance.
If you’re in the settlement, you may send in a claim form to get benefits, or you can
exclude yourself, or object. The United States District Court for the Southern District
of New York authorized this notice. The Court will have a hearing to decide whether
to approve the settlement, so that the benefits may be paid.
WHO’S INCLUDED?
You could get benefits if you or a relative fits the description in the box to the right.
Still not sure? Get a detailed notice at the website or by calling for free. If this
settlement applies to one of your family members who died, you could get their
settlement benefits. Many policies were sold door-to-door, perhaps in your old
neighborhood. Do you know someone who had a policy? Let them know about the
settlement.
WHAT CAN YDU GET FRDM THE SEnLElWENT?
Generally, people who still have their life insurance coverage will get increased
insurance benefits. If the settlement is approved, these people can ask for cash
instead, but in a lower amount than the increased insurance benefits. People whose
policies have already paid a death or maturity benefit will get cash. Most people whose
policies terminated for ofher reasons will get five years of free death benefit coverage,
and some of them will get cash. For some policies, the settlement provides other
additional benefits. A detailed notice has more information about the settlement
benefits. You can get one by calling or going to the website,
HDW DD YDU GET THE BENEFITS?
If you’re in the settlement, send a Are you in the settlement?
claim form to get benefits. The for any Metropolitan life policy below, insur-
detailed notice package has everything ing an African American or other non-Caucasian:
you need. Just call or visit the website (l) Were you ever insured under one? OR
below to get one. Claim forms are (2) Did you ever own one? OR
due by April 23, 2003. You don t have (.1) Were you paid a death benefit from one?
to have your policy number, but it will The Metropolitan life policie.s are:
help Metropolitan find the policy to see “industrial” policies sold door-to-door from
if it qualifies. If you re not sure your 1901 through 1964. (Less than $1,000 coverage;
policy is included, you can file a claim premiums collected door-to-door)
anyway. Filing a claim doesnt mean “Ordinary” policies sold from 1901 through
you II get benefits. 1972. (if sold at higher than standard rate)
YDUR DTHER DPTIDNS: “Ordinary” policies sold from 1960 through
If you don’t want settlement benefits, (972 $4 ygn to $5,000 of coverage,
or to be legally bound by the settle- (With an“M”in the policy number) -
ment, you must exclude yourself by dm you say yes to one of the questions? Or,
December 30, 2002, or you won’t be ^ ^.^^er who
able to sue, or continue to sue, died? If so, you could get benefits.
Metropolitan about the legal claims in neighbor have a policy? Tell them
this case. If you exclude yourself, you about the settlement.
can’t get any benefits from this settle- settlement benefits include cash payments or
ment. If you stay in the settlement, other valuable benefits, if you qualify.
you may object to it by December 30, aaim Forms are due by April 23,2003.
2002. The detailed notice explains
how to exclude yourself or object. The
Court will hold a hearing in this case
(Thompson v. Metropolitan Life, No. 00-CI\/-5071 HB) on February 7, 2003, to
consider whether to approve the settlement and the attorney’s request for fees and
expenses. The fees and expenses won’t reduce the settlement benefits. You may ask
to appear at the hearing, but you don’t have to. Find out more with a free call to
1-800-960-2381, by visiting www.lifesettle.com, or by writing to Settlement
Administrator, Thompson v. Metropolitan Life, P.O. Box 61, Minneapolis, MN
55440-8511. Please do not contact the court.
1-800-960-2381
ITOitTm^ ' www.lifesettle.com