US court orders Oakland cafe owner to pay $59,000 for discovery violations

A federal court in Northern California ordered Abd al-Rahim Harara, owner of a cafe in Oakland, to pay $59,000 for repeatedly violating discovery orders in discrimination lawsuits. The cafe faces three lawsuits alleging discrimination against Jewish customers.

A federal court in Northern California ordered Abd al-Rahim Harara, owner of Cafe Jerusalem in Oakland, to pay $59,000 to plaintiff Michael Radis, due to repeated violations of court orders during the discovery phase. Judge Thomas Hixson ruled that Harara violated at least six orders, materials were submitted late or partially, and emails were not provided at all. The judge wrote that "he has no good excuse" and that "he must pay for what he did." However, the judge reduced the amount requested by Radis and criticized his attorneys for aggressive litigation. The financial penalty does not constitute a verdict that discrimination occurred. The business faces three lawsuits: by Radis, by Jonathan Hirsch, and by the U.S. Department of Justice. Cafe Jerusalem closed its doors in August to focus on the trial. The owners deny the allegations and claim the proceedings are intended to silence their support for Palestinians.