Judge Rules Against Taco Bell

• {Kentucky}...U.S. District Court Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, California has ruled that Taco Bell violated federal and California laws protecting the disabled from discrimination. Judge Hamilton is now deciding what improvements the company must make to the 220 stores it owns in California and how much to fine the fast-food chain. Hamilton ruled that a store in San Pablo, which is being used as an example of all the company-owned California locations, failed to provide proper handicap parking, wheelchair access and other accommodations for the disabled. The ruling was prompted by a class action lawsuit filed in December 2002. Taco Bell is owned by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum Brands Inc.