the financial well-being of Purdy Corp. Thus, Purdy Corp. provided such payments to the Sikorsky agent during a period of approximately eight months, from mid-1990 until early 1991. The payments from Purdy Corp. to the Sikorsky agent totaled between $50,000 and $70,000. By the middle of 1991, these payments had ceased.
Beginning in late 1993, the federal government learned of the widespread practice of suppliers bribing purchasing agents and began conducting an investigation into these matters ("the investigation"). Eventually, the investigation resulted in a series of prosecutions of the agents of suppliers (including Purdy) who had made the decision to bribe buyers, many of whom, like Purdy, were first-time offenders.
In March 1995, after Purdy learned that he was being investigated in connection with the bribes but before he wasof action under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 and 1983, as well as under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. She alleged that, because she was black and female, Eaton had discriminated against her in many respects.  She claimed that she had been denied equal treatment with respect to pay, promotions, and opportunities to obtain educational benefits.  She also alleged that she had been harassed on the job and that she was discriminatorily discharged.  Finally, she claimed that Eaton had systematically discriminated on the basis of race and sex.  She sought declaratory and injunctive relief, an award of back pay for herself and all other members of the classes she sought to represent, attorney's fees, punitive