Ingram v. Dallas County, Tex.
This case involves claims by Luella Ingram, a 54-year-old black female, against Dallas County, her former employer. Ingram alleged age discrimination under the ADEA, procedural and substantive due process violations, breach of employment contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and deprivation of liberty interest in her reputation, following her discharge and rehire at a lower pay. The Court granted Ingram's motion for summary judgment on her procedural due process claim, finding she had a property interest in her job and was discharged without notice or a pre-termination hearing. It denied her substantive due process claim and granted the County's motion on the breach of employment contract. The Court denied the County's motion for summary judgment on Ingram's ADEA claim, finding her to be an 'employee' under the act and that she presented a prima facie case with evidence of pretext. Claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress and deprivation of liberty interest were dismissed. Both parties' motions for sanctions were denied. The remaining issues for trial are damages for the procedural due process violation and the age discrimination claim.