Three attorneys from McCarter & English—David X. Sullivan, Thomas J. Finn, and Gregory A. Hall—have officially represented Sunrun Installation Services in a civil rights lawsuit. This lawsuit was initiated on September 4 in the Connecticut District Court by attorney Robert M. Berke on behalf of former employee George Edward Steins. Steins faced arrest and subsequent charges for employing a home improvement salesperson who was not registered.
The core of the lawsuit revolves around claims that if Sunrun had notified the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection about the termination of Steins’ employment in 2017, as well as the expiration of his home improvement contractor license, he would not have faced these charges. Notably, these charges were ultimately dismissed in May 2024. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer and is identified as 3:24-cv-01423, Steins v. Sunrun, Inc. et al.
This situation underscores the importance of timely communication in employer-employee relationships, particularly in industries regulated for consumer protection. As the legal proceedings unfold, it will be crucial to consider the implications for both the plaintiff and the defendant, potentially leading to reforms in how companies manage the licensure of their employees.
Overall, this case highlights the complex intersection between civil rights and employment law, providing an opportunity for deeper discussions about regulatory compliance and the responsibilities of employers in protecting their staff from legal repercussions.