Ashley Furniture Operator Settles Race-Based Pay Bias Claims

Dufresne Spencer Group LLC, which owns and operates more than 100 Ashley Furniture HomeStores in the US, has settled claims with a Black former supervisor at an Illinois distribution center who alleged he was paid less than his White peers because of his race.

Lawyers for Dufresne Spencer and the worker, Victor Owens, filed a joint stipulation for dismissal with prejudice to the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on Dec. 27. The parties agreed not to assess fees and costs.

• The stipulation follows a joint notice of settlement filed with the court Dec. 2, which included ...