Judge awards $1,000 in penalties, fees in Arlene’s Flowers case

A Benton County Superior Court judge has awarded $1,001 in penalties and costs to the state in the Arlene’s Flowers case.

The judgment also enjoins Barronelle Stutzman and her Richland flower shop from “discriminating against any person because of their sexual orientation.”

“All goods, merchandise and services offered or sold to opposite sex couples shall be offered or sold on the same terms to same-sex couples, including but not limited to goods, merchandise and services for weddings and commitment ceremonies” it said.

Judge Alex Ekstrom issued the judgment Friday, about a month after he ruled that Stutzman broke the law when she declined to provide services for a same-sex wedding.

The state and the same-sex couple sued after the 2013 interaction.

In a statement, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said, “I’m pleased that today’s ruling clearly prohibits discrimination against same-sex couples. Our state laws protect the rights of Washingtonians to be treated equally — regardless of our race, sex, creed, sexual orientation or other characteristics — and I will continue to vigorously uphold these laws.”

Stutzman’s attorney, Kristen Waggoner said, “the penalty and fees imposed today are only the first punch. The ACLU, on behalf of the same-sex couple also suing Barronelle, has asked the court to award them penalties, fees, and costs, which will financially devastate Barronelle’s business and personal assets — including taking this 70-year old grandmother’s retirement and personal savings. The message sent by the attorney general and the ACLU to the people of Washington is quite clear: surrender your religious liberty and free speech rights or face personal and professional ruin.”

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Judge awards $1,000 in penalties, fees in Arlene’s Flowers case."