Exemption

Jury Sides with Former Employee over Religious Exemption to Vaccine Mandate, Awards Over $600,000 in Damages

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Chattanooga, Tennessee — A Chattanooga-based health insurance company, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, has been ordered to pay $687,000 to a former employee who was dismissed for not complying with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. A federal jury concluded after a three-day trial that the company failed to reasonably accommodate Tanja Benton’s religious beliefs. Benton, a biostatistical research scientist, predominantly worked from home and maintained her work responsibilities did not necessitate physical interaction, which she argued made her physical vaccination unnecessary. She held the position for over six years before her termination in November 2021. Benton’s … Read more

Oregon Public Records Advocates Defeat Attempt to Create Broad Taxpayer Information Exemption

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Portland, Oregon – Public records advocates in Oregon have successfully campaigned against legislation that would have created a new exemption to state transparency laws, potentially limiting access to important taxpayer information. House Bill 4031 contained a provision that sought to prevent local governments from disclosing any taxpayer information they possess. The proposed exemption, which faced strong opposition from advocates, raised concerns about the potential impact on government accountability and transparency. Critics argued that the provision would have created significant barriers for journalists, researchers, and the public in accessing vital information. The victory for public records … Read more

Former Correctional Officer Files Lawsuit Over Masking Policy at Centralia Correctional Center, Claiming Religious Exemption

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Centralia, Illinois – A former officer at the Centralia Correctional Center has filed a federal lawsuit after being fired for his alleged failure to comply with the mandatory masking policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Garrett Rose, a resident of Salem, claimed that his religious beliefs prevented him from wearing a mask from March to May 2022, resulting in his denial of entry to the prison each day. According to Rose’s lawsuit, he initially followed the mask mandate but later came to believe that wearing a mask contradicted his duty to obey God, based on his … Read more

Unsealed Documents Reveal Bill Clinton’s Exemption from Testifying in Ghislaine Maxwell Case

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NEW YORK – Former President Bill Clinton was not required to testify in a defamation case against Ghislaine Maxwell, according to newly-unsealed documents. The judge ruled that one of Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers had not proven Clinton’s testimony was relevant. The ruling from 2016 was revealed as part of the third drop of unsealed documents in the defamation case filed against Maxwell by accuser Virginia Giuffre. In the ruling, Giuffre had sought to depose butler Juan Alessi, Palm Beach Police Chief Michael Reiter, and Clinton. However, the judge denied the deposition requests for Reiter and Clinton, … Read more