PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The state of Oregon has slashed financial penalties it assigned a baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple almost 10 years ago.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the Bureau of Labor and Industries is ordering Aaron Klein to pay $30,000 damages, instead of $135,000, in compliance with a state appeals court ruling earlier this year. That’s a reduction of 77.8%
Laurel and Rachel Bowman-Cryer initially filed a complaint against the bakery owners, saying they refused to bake them a wedding cake.
The Oregon Court of Appeals twice upheld a ruling that found the bakery illegally discriminated against them.
The court in January found the state agency didn’t exhibit religious neutrality in issuing the fine.
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Travis Pittman contributed to this report.
