US District Court DRI Docket Feed

Adeola Akinde v. Bryant University

Adeola Akinde, a former Public Safety Officer at Bryant University from January 2018 to December 2022, brought claims alleging race and disability discrimination and retaliation under state and federal law against the University. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of Bryant University on all claims. The plaintiff was terminated after accumulating multiple write-ups for performance issues including failing to show up for assigned shifts, using his personal cell phone during work hours, failing to respond to dispatch calls, and losing duty keys on two occasions, with the second loss resulting in a one-week suspension and final warning shortly before his termination.

Brianna M. v. Frank Bisignano - SSI Benefits Reversal

The US District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted Brianna M.'s motion to reverse the Social Security Administration's decision denying her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, and denied the Commissioner's cross-motion to affirm. The court found that Administrative Law Judge Kate Dana erred in relying heavily on outdated 2021 medical opinions when reassessing Brianna's disability status, without adequately considering whether her medical condition had improved as of the current determination date. This ruling reverses the termination of SSI benefits that had been in place since June 15, 2021, and requires the SSA to reassess Brianna's disability claim consistent with the court's order.

Ian Doran v. Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC - Settlement Enforcement Order

The District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC's Motion to Enforce Settlement against plaintiff Ian Doran, accepting the Magistrate Judge's Report and Recommendation in full. The Court found that the parties entered into a binding and enforceable settlement agreement memorialized in a signed term sheet containing clear and unambiguous terms, including agreed-upon Form U5 language, and that Doran was represented by counsel when assenting. The Court rejected Doran's claim of no mutual assent and his duress defense under Rhode Island law, finding insufficient evidence of unlawful conduct or absence of reasonable alternative. The case was dismissed with prejudice and both parties were ordered to comply with the settlement terms.