Posted on 01/07/2015 5:13:30 PM PST by steve86
The owner of a Richland flower shop being sued over her refusal to provide services for a same-sex wedding can face claims in her personal capacity, a Benton County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.
Barronelle Stutzman and her Arlenes Flowers are being sued by the state Attorney Generals office and a same-sex couple. Stutzman, a Christian, declined to provide services for the couples wedding because of her religious beliefs.
Her attorneys argued the claims against her personally should be dropped, describing them as unprecedented and unjust.
Attorneys for the state and the couple argued Stutzman can be held personally liable under the law.
In a decision Wednesday, Judge Alex Ekstrom ruled that the clear language of the CPA (Consumer Protection Act) and WLAD (Washington Law Against Discrimination) supports both individual and corporate liability.
However, he did toss out one of the couples claims that Stutzman aided her business in violating state anti-discrimination law.
Ekstrom also dismissed some of Stutzmans arguments dealing with the states standing to bring its lawsuit.
Ekstrom hasnt yet ruled on some other summary judgment motions in the case. At this time, trial is set for the spring.
Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/01/07/3346717_judge-denies-motion-to-toss-out.html?sp=/99/177/&rh=1#storylink=cpy
Barronelle is a very nice lady in my own town, did everything she could to accommodate customers without violating her Christian principles.
It’s probably because she didn’t incorporate her business so, under the law there is no differentiation between her assets and her business assets.
East-of-the-Cascades people like Barronelle and yours truly, not so much.
Damn gay judical nazi’s. Past time to just say no!
Why would anyone (gay or otherwise) want flowers or cakes, or anything for a Wedding from a person who would not wish them well? It’s all about an agenda.
The agenda: Find a Christian and humiliate them publicly because they won’t agree with your sin, and then sue them. These people will be problematic married or single....it’s just their way! The so called victims, that can’t get a service, want their 15 minutes of fame on the Media stage.
Arlene's Flowers Richland WA, 99352 Manta.com www.manta.com ... Florists Fresh Flowers More Details for Arlene's Flowers. Categorized under Fresh Flowers. Our records show it was established in 1999 and incorporated in Washington
I agree with you, but the judge’s ruling is based on tax law. If you’re business is not incorporated, you assume personal liability.
It isn't based on tax law. It is based on the homosexual-agenda Washington Law Against Discrimination.
No, based on the WLAD, which appears to pierce the corporate liability protections. She’ll be bankrupted. The Sodomites are winning.
PING
I know what you are saying, but ‘freedom of religion’ is in the First Amendment that also covers ‘free speech.’ So what personal liability? The Judge is wrong.
She has right to deny to serve whomever she pleases. Otherwise it’s a violation of her Constitutional rights to ‘freedom of religion”.
The law in question was made to punish people. That it can be used to destroy a Christian person is just a bonus for the State and the gaystapo.
In which case, and I don’t know tax law that well but just well enough to get into trouble, she may have a reason to appeal.
It also depend on the type of incorporation.
To clarify, do you know that she didn't incorporate her business? Or are you suggesting that maybe she didn't?
Arlene’s Flowers, Inc. It’s easy to look up.
PING!
If it’s incorporated, I can’t see how the judge can put her personal assets on the line. That’s no different than suing Wal-Mart and getting the judge to agree that all 200 million shareholders can have their personal assets seized in the event of a judgement.
http://www.adfmedia.org/files/ArlenesFlowersPartialSJmotionPersonalCapacity.pdf
One would think the couple would simply pick another florist. But it’s not about the flowers, is it?
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