Anheuser-Busch Cleared in Sex-Bias Suit

After a three-week trial, a jury has reportedly cleared Anheuser-Busch of
sex discrimination in a suit brought by former executive Francine Katz, who
had alleged that she was paid less than her male counterparts because of
her gender. Katz v. Anheuser-Busch Inc., No. 922-CC09513 (St. Louis Circ.
Ct., verdict rendered May 16, 2014). Katz worked at Anheuser-Busch as vice
president of communications and consumer affairs from 2002 to 2008, when
she left following InBev NV’s November 2008 acquisition of the company.

During the acquisition process, Katz learned that her compensation was lower
than the pay received by her male colleagues on the strategy committee, and
she filed a suit alleging violations of the Missouri Human Rights Act in 2009.
Following the jury’s decision, Katz told the media that she hoped she had
helped to draw attention to the issue of gender bias in compensation. See St.
Louis Post-Dispatch, May 17, 2014.

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