Failure To Comply With Discovery Obligations Can Lead To 'Case-Killing' Sanctions

Factual Background

Plaintiffs are former employees of Federal Reserve Bank of New York (Federal Reserve) whose employment was terminated when they refused to comply with Defendant's requirement that its employees be vaccinated against Covid-19. Dkt. No. 24. Plaintiffs alleged that their terminations violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act; the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment; and Title VII. Federal Reserve denied that Plaintiffs' religious beliefs prevented them from becoming vaccinated and alleged affirmative defenses that its "actions...were based solely on legitimate, non-discriminatory, business reasons." Dkt. No. 84.

Plaintiffs' History of Not Complying with Discovery Obligations