Potter v. City of Albany, 68 F. Supp. 2d 1360 (M.D. Ga. 1999)

*1361 *1362 Eugene C. Black, Jr., Albany, GA, for David N. Potter, plaintiff.

Al Grieshaber, Jr., Albany, GA, Douglas H. Duenn, Atlanta, GA, Sonja F. Bivins, Curtis L. Mack, Atlanta, GA, for The City of Albany, a Municipal Corporation, Janice Allen, Henry L. Fields, defendants.

OWENS, District Judge.

Before the Court are Defendant', City of Albany, and Janice Allen and Henry Fields, in their official capacities, Motion for Summary Judgment [Tab # 61] and Defendants', Janice Allen and Henry Fields, in their individual capacities, Motion for Summary Judgment [Tab # 65]. Having carefully considered the motion, the related caselaw and statutes, and the file as a whole, the Court enters the following order.

Plaintiff David Potter is a firefighter employed by the City of Albany Fire Department. Defendant City of Albany ("Albany") is a municipal corporation. Defendant Janice Allen Jackson ("Jackson") is sued in her capacity as City Manager for the City of Albany, and in her individual capacity. Defendant Henry Fields ("Fields") is sued in his capacity as Fire Chief for the City of Albany, and in his individual capacity.

Plaintiff was passed over for a promotion in 1995. Plaintiff alleges that the above-named defendants discriminated against him in denying him the promotion.

The City of Albany's hiring policy (amended in 1995) specifically required the Fire Department to "be operated in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the City of Albany, Georgia's Affirmative Action Plan." Albany's Affirmative Action Plan states, in pertinent part: the City of Albany shall recruit, hire, upgrade, train, promote, and administer personnel actions in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. The promotion policy states that "every effort will be made to ensure that ... everyone, regardless of race ... will receive fair treatment during the process."

Under the 1995 policy, promotion applicants took a written examination, completed an assessment center, and had an oral *1363 examination. Applicants scoring at least a 70 on this 100 point qualification exercise were considered qualified for promotion to the Lieutenant position. Once this process resulted in a pool of qualified applicants, Chief Fields had the authority to make the final promotional decision.

In November 1995, the Fire Department conducted a qualification exercise to identify qualified applicants for vacant Lieutenant positions. Twenty-three applicants completed the examination, and twenty-one were placed in the pool of qualified applicants, having scored 70 or better. Plaintiff qualified for consideration for promotion by scoring 87.

In 1995, Chief Fields selected Wesley Pantone (white), Tommy Anderson (white), Gregory Maze (black), and James Pratt (black) from the qualified list of 1995 for promotions to Lieutenant. Pantone scored an 85.5 on the qualifying exams, Anderson scored an 95, Maze scored a 85, and Pratt scored an 85. While Plaintiff feels that he was more qualified than some of these promoted individuals, none of these promotions are contested as discriminatory by Plaintiff.

In 1996, Chief Fields selected Willie Harris to fill an open Lieutenant position. Harris qualified by achieving a total score of 80.5 (however, based on plaintiff's corrected scoring schedule, Harris lost two points due to the rounding down of assessment scores, he should have received a total score of 87 and not 80.5). Harris was a 16-year veteran of he fire department and an 8-year veteran as an AOE. On his 1994 annual performance evaluation, the following review appeared:

Harris spends a lot of his free time studying his job as an A.O.E. He never refuses to do anything required of him. AOE W.R. Harris has proven to be a credit to the Albany Fire Department and the City of Albany ... AOE Harris has a very positive attitude about the Albany Fire Department and his job. W.R. Harris is always ready to assist anyone and does so without any hesitation. Not only does Harris have this attitude on the job, it also reflects over into his everyday life.

In selecting Harris for the position, Chief Fields considered the following factors: Harris' demonstrated leadership, maturity, interpersonal skills and a willingness to support management and its policies. Among the qualified applicants for promotion, Chief Fields considered Harris to possess the greatest level of maturity, leadership skills, interpersonal skills and willingness to support fire department and city management and policies.

In September 1996, Albert Hayslip was promoted to fill a Lieutenant vacancy. Hayslip qualified for promotion by scoring an 80.5 (however, under plaintiff's corrected scoring schedule, Hayslip was graded two points higher on the interview than he should have been; his proper score should have been 78.5 instead of 80.5). Hayslip was a 10-year veteran firefighter with outstanding performance evaluations. Hayslip also brought years of current experience as a sergeant in the Army Reserve, had an ability to carry out instructions, a level of maturity, and an understanding of leadership that Fields believed made Hayslip the best candidate for the lieutenant position.

Since plaintiff received a qualifying score (87) on the three-part examination, he was considered for these Lieutenant promotions. While Chief Fields considered each of these candidates qualified, he felt that Harris and Hayslip had the maturity, leadership, interpersonal skills, and willingness to support management and Fire Department policies, which he considered necessary for the positions. Chief Fields testified that he believed these qualities were lacking or less developed in plaintiff.

In 1996, Chief Fields selected Kelly Harcrow (white) and James Ambrose (white) for vacant Lieutenant positions from the 1995 qualified list. Plaintiff does not contend that these promotions were discriminatory.

Defendants assert that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law because 1) Plaintiff has not established a prima facie case of disparate impact under Title VII; 2) Plaintiff has failed to establish a prima facie case of disparate treatment under Title VII; 3) suits against defendants in their individual capacities are not cognizable under Title VII; 4) Plaintiff has not established a viable § 1981 claim; 5) Plaintiff's Conspiracy claims under § 1985 lack merit; and 6) Plaintiff's claims under § 1986 are time barred or precluded. Plaintiff argues that material issues of fact remain on his claims which should preclude summary judgment.

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c) provides that summary judgment may be entered in favor of the movant where "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is (1) no genuine issue as to any material fact and that (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." See also Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247-48, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986); Irby v. Bittick, 44 F.3d 949, 953 (11th Cir. 1995). The movant's entitlement to judgment as a matter of law is satisfied where "the nonmoving party has failed to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden of proof." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986). Once a party has moved for summary judgment and properly supported its motion, the burden shifts to the nonmovant to create, through the evidentiary forms listed in FED.R.CIV.P. 56(c), genuine issues of material fact necessitating a trial. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 324, 106 S. Ct. 2548.

For a claim of disparate impact discrimination, Plaintiff must establish a prima facie case by showing that Defendant has employed a facially neutral employment practice that has a significantly discriminatory impact. Hill v. Seaboard Coast Line R., 885 F.2d 804, 811 (11th Cir.1989); Stephen v. PGA Sheraton Resort, Ltd., 873 F.2d 276, 279 (11th Cir. 1989). Plaintiff must then show that the application of that specific employment practice caused the disparity and that he was adversely impacted by the practice. Id.

In order to establish the first element of his prima facie case, Plaintiff must demonstrate that the qualification process had a "significant discriminatory impact" on white candidates. This element must be established by statistical evidence indicating that a particular employment practice had a disproportionate effect on a protected group. MacPherson v. University of Montevallo, 922 F.2d 766, 771 (11th Cir.1991).

Plaintiff relies solely on the analysis of Dr. Cook to establish the disparity. Dr. Cook limited his analysis to only the qualification process. He issued two reports, one on June 5, 1997, and another on June 25, 1997. Dr. Cook, comparing the scores of white candidates with those of blacks, found that there was "no significant difference" between the total score attained by black applicants and those attained by white applicants. He also found that whites scored higher than blacks on the written tests, that blacks scored almost two points, on average, higher than whites on the oral tests, and that there was no significant difference between the classes on the assessment. From these comparisons, Dr. Cook stated that, for both white and black applicants, there is a positive correlation between the written and interview *1365 tests, although he found that the correlation was stronger for black applicants than for whites. At the same time, generally speaking, the higher a white candidate scored on the objective written test and on the objective assessment center, the lower the same white candidate scored on the subjective interview with Chief Fields.

Additionally, Plaintiff alleges that the following miscalculations took place. Plaintiff lost two points on the interview score due to misgrading. Plaintiff Potter also lost 5 points on his assessment center score due to rounding down and not rounding up. The net result is that Plaintiff should have received a score of 94 and not a score of 87.

While plaintiff argues that he has presented a prima facie case by showing the statistical anomalies and scoring errors, this court does not believe these errors had a significantly discriminatory impact. However, assuming a discriminatory impact existed, plaintiff must show that the discriminatory impact caused his denied promotion.

In order to satisfy the second prong of the disparate impact test, plaintiff must show that he suffered the loss of an employment benefit as a result of the qualification process. Even assuming Dr. Cook's statistics have established a pattern of discrimination, plaintiff must still establish that he has been denied an ... employment benefit ... in order to recover for particularized injuries. Carmichael v. Birmingham Saw Works, 738 F.2d 1126, 1132 (11th Cir.1984); Perryman v. Johnson Products Co., 698 F.2d 1138, 1143 (11th Cir.1983). "Even if the proffered statistical evidence were to establish a pattern and practice of discrimination at [employer], the failure of the individual plaintiffs to demonstrate that they specifically, individually suffered an adverse employment decision rooted in discriminatory motives renders the statistical evidence insufficient to support the plaintiff's individual Title VII claims." Washington v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 756 F. Supp. 1547, 1566 (M.D.Ga.1991) (Owens, J.).

Plaintiff did not suffer the loss of an employment benefit as a result of the qualification process. In fact, plaintiff was deemed qualified. The allegedly discriminatory oral examination and rounding errors played no role whatsoever after the qualification process. Under the original scoring and plaintiff's scoring, all parties were deemed qualified for promotion. However, Fields, after receiving a list of qualified candidates (including plaintiff), found that Harris and Hayslip were more qualified. Accordingly, the alleged scoring disparities did not "cause" the denied promotion. Therefore, plaintiff cannot establish a prima facie case of disparate impact.

To prevail on a disparate treatment claim under Title VII, Plaintiff must first establish a prima facie case of discrimination by proving 1) he is a member of a protected class; 2) he is qualified for his position; 3) he suffered an adverse employment action; and 4) similarly situated employees outside the protected class were treated more favorably. See, e.g., Jones v. Bessemer Carraway Med. Ctr., 137 F.3d 1306, 1310 (11th Cir.), modified in part on other grounds, 151 F.3d 1321 (11th Cir. 1998); Armstrong v. Flowers Hosp., 33 F.3d 1308, 1313 (11th Cir.1994). If a prima facie case is established the burden then shifts to the defendant to "articulate a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for the [adverse employment action]." Jones, at 1310; citing McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 36 L. Ed. 2d 668 (1973). Finally, the plaintiffs then may prove, by the preponderance of the evidence, that the proffered reason was pretextual. Id.; citing Texas Dept. of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 253, 101 S. Ct. 1089, 67 L. Ed. 2d 207 (1981).

Assuming that plaintiff has established a prima facie case, the burden shifts *1366 to Defendant to articulate a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for not promoting plaintiff. Burdine, 450 U.S. at 253, 101 S. Ct. 1089. An employer may refuse to promote an applicant for a good reason, a bad reason, a reason based on erroneous facts, or for no reason at all, as long as its action is not for a discriminatory reason. Nix v. WLCY Radio/Rahall Communications, 738 F.2d 1181, 1187 (11th Cir.1984).

Harris, with a total score of 80.5 (by plaintiff's calculation 87), was qualified for the promotion. Chief Fields testified that he considered the following factors in selecting Harris for the position: Harris' demonstrated leadership, maturity, interpersonal skills and a willingness to support management and its policies. Among the qualified applicants for promotion, Chief Fields considered Harris to possess the greatest level of maturity, leadership skills, interpersonal skills and willingness to support to fire department and city management and policies.

Likewise, Hayslip, with a score of 80.5 (78.5 by plaintiff's scoring), was qualified for the promotion. When considering the qualified applicants to fill the Lieutenant/Training position, Chief Fields narrowed the field to Hayslip, Harcrow and Pinson. In addition to his own observations, Chief Fields sought the input of several subordinates before deciding that Hayslip was the best candidate. Chief Fields testified that he ultimately select Hayslip over Harcrow because of these recommendations and because he felt that Hayslip showed better leadership potential.

Since Defendant has satisfied its burden of articulating legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for the promotions, the burden shifts to plaintiff to show that Defendant's reasons are merely pretextual. Jones, 137 F.3d at 1310. The employee must "present significantly probative evidence that the articulated rationale is pretextual." Carter v. City of Miami, 870 F.2d 578, 584 (11th Cir.1989), Mayfield v. Patterson Pump Co., 101 F.3d 1371, 1376 (11th Cir. 1996).

Plaintiff attempts to show pretext in five ways: 1) there is a statistical inference that the qualification process was biased; 2) there was subjectivity in the promotion process; 3) plaintiff was objectively more qualified than Harris and Hayslip; 4) the existence of the City's Affirmative Action Plan gives rise to an inference of discrimination; and 5) a finding of discrimination in Shealy shows pretext in this case.

Plaintiff's only showing of a statistical inference that the qualification process was biased is that whites received, on average, two points less on the oral interview portion of the process. However, plaintiff's expert also surmised that whites scored higher on the written portion of the exam. More importantly, plaintiff's expert determined that there was no statistical disparity between blacks and whites in the total score.

Plaintiff also argues that numerous errors were made in grading the answers to certain questions and in rounding scores. Specifically, plaintiff argues he should have received a total score of 94 instead of 87 based on a two point grading error and a five point rounding error. However, plaintiff also shows that one of the two individuals whom were allegedly favored was also "erroneously" given a lower score than was warranted. By Plaintiff's calculation, Harris should have received a total score of 87 instead of 80.5. More importantly, Plaintiff has presented absolutely no evidence that the alleged "misgradings" were the result of racial discrimination.

Nonetheless, after correcting for the "discriminatory grading" on the oral examination question, assuming it took place, plaintiff would have had a total score of 94 instead of 87. This change would have had no impact on the final decision, according to undisputed testimony. First, it is undisputed that the only score that the chief considered in making his final decision was *1367 the total score (where there was not even an "alleged" disparity). Under either the plaintiff's proffered scoring system or the actual scoring system, plaintiff was deemed qualified. Once plaintiff "qualified" for consideration, he was evaluated based on the chief's criteria for the position and the recommendations of other board members. The chief determined that individuals other than plaintiff were more qualified. Plaintiff has failed to show, to the extent a reasonable jury could find, that statistical anomalies evidence that the criteria used by defendants were pretextual.

The Eleventh Circuit has long held that the presence of subjectivity is not probative of discrimination. E.g., Allison v. Western Union Telegraph Co., 680 F.2d 1318, 1322 (11th Cir.1982). Plaintiff does not even challenge the results of Dr. Austin's study of the Lieutenant position, which establishes that subjective factors such as supervisory skills (leadership), interpersonal relations, problem analysis, and oral and written communication skills are required to perform the duties of the position. Furthermore, plaintiff does not cite any evidence tending to show that Harris and Hayslip did not possess these attributes. In fact, he does not allege that they are not qualified for the position.

Testing to determine whether an applicant was qualified for promotion was irrelevant to the final selection for promotion. Indeed, Mr. Pantone (white), who was selected in the first round and whose promotion Plaintiff does not challenge, had a score of only 85.5, which is less than Plaintiff's. The qualification process was merely to determine whether the applicant possessed the minimum level of competency; it was not designed to determine who was most qualified.

Plaintiff points to no evidence showing that he is better qualified than either Harris or Hayslip. Thus, the differences in qualifications does not evidence pretext. Furthermore, plaintiff has not shown that any of the "subjective" factors were in any way racially discriminatory.

Plaintiff argues that he has shown pretext because he was objectively more qualified than Harris or Hayslip. However, "the inquiry into pretext centers upon the employer's beliefs, and not the employee's own perceptions of his performance." Holifield v. Reno, 115 F.3d 1555, 1565 (11th Cir.1997). Since Chief Fields felt that Harris and Hayslip were the most qualified applicants available for promotion at the time that they were promoted, Plaintiff cannot support a claim of pretext by alleging that he was more qualified. Id.

Moreover, it is well-settled that "Title VII does not require any employer to hire or promote the most qualified applicant." Smith v. Horner, 839 F.2d 1530, 1538 (11th Cir.1988). As the Eleventh Circuit has explained, "an employer's decision to promote [one qualified employee rather than another] may seem to some to be bad business judgment, and to others to be good business judgment, but Federal Courts do not sit to second-guess the business judgment of employers." Combs v. Plantation Patterns, 106 F.3d 1519, 1543 (11th Cir.1997). The question for the Court to resolve is not whether Fields used the best possible business judgment, but whether he discriminated against Plaintiff because of his race. Elrod v. Sears Roebuck & Co., 939 F.2d 1466, 1470 (11th Cir.1991) ("Federal courts do not sit as a super-personnel department that reexamines any entity's business decisions ..."). Plaintiff has not presented statistical evidence establishing that Defendant's decisions were based on race. Therefore, Plaintiff's bare claims that he was more qualified than Harris and Hayslip are not sufficient to show that Defendants' legitimate nondiscriminatory reasons were mere pretext for discrimination. Elrod, 939 F.2d at 1470.

Plaintiff's reliance on the City's affirmative action plan to establish pretext is misplaced. A review of the plan reveals that it strictly prohibits race as a factor in employment decisions. According to the plan, "The City of Albany shall hire, up-grade, train, promote, and administer personnel actions in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability". While the plan seeks to expand the City's pool of qualified applicants, there is absolutely nothing in the plan that provides for the selection of applicants on the basis of their race or color. Accordingly, the plan does not evidence pretext. Ensley Branch N.A.A.C.P. v. Seibels, 31 F.3d 1548, 1571 (11th Cir.1994) ("race-neutral efforts" of affirmative action such as encouraging applications from blacks and waiving application fees did not run afoul of anti-discrimination laws.)

Plaintiff's reliance on Shealy et al. v. the City of Albany, et al., is also misplaced. The Shealy decision was rendered in 1997, almost two years after the promotions in question, and involved different applicants, a different position, and a different selection process. Plaintiff's apparent contention that the Shealy decision suffices to raise an inference of discrimination with respect to promotions in the Albany Fire Department is nonsensical. To establish pretext, Plaintiff must offer evidence to rebut Defendants' showing with respect to the Harris and Hayslip promotions, which are the promotions at issue in this case. Plaintiff has failed to do so.

Plaintiff concedes in his Response that he does not wish to pursue Title VII claims against Jackson or Fields, in their individual capacities. It is well established that individual defendants cannot be held liable for damages under Title VII. Busby v. City of Orlando, 931 F.2d 764, 772 (11th Cir.1991); Clark v. City of Macon, Ga., 860 F. Supp. 1545, 1550 (M.D.Ga.1994). Accord Grant v. Lone Star Co., 21 F.3d 649 (5th Cir.1994); Miller v. Maxwell's Intern., Inc., 991 F.2d 583 (9th Cir.1993), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 1109, 114 S. Ct. 1049, 127 L. Ed. 2d 372 (1994).

Plaintiff's § 1981 claim should be dismissed for the same reasons that his Title VII claims are subject to summary judgment. Smith v. Papp Clinic, 808 F.2d 1449, 1451 (11th Cir.1987); Waldermar v. American Cancer Soc'y, 971 F. Supp. 547, 553 (N.D.Ga.1996) ("Because ... race discrimination claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981 follow the same analysis as Title VII claims, the Court treats both claims together."). In addition, plaintiff's § 1981 claim should be dismissed because § 1981 provides no cause of action against state actors. In Jett v. Dallas Indep. Sch. Dist., 491 U.S. 701, 109 S. Ct. 2702, 105 L. Ed. 2d 598 (1989), the Supreme Court declined to recognize an implied cause of action under Section 1981 against state actors. The Court held that Section 1983 "provides the exclusive federal damages remedy for the violation of the rights guaranteed by Section 1981 when the claim is pressed against a state actor." Id. at 735, 109 S. Ct. 2702. See also Reynolds v. Glynn County Bd. of Educ., 968 F. Supp. 696, 707 (S.D.Ga.1996) See also Batchelor v. City of Griffin, No. 3:97-cv-43-JTC (N.D.Ga. Mar. 3, 1999). Accordingly, since plaintiff failed to assert a § 1983 claim, his § 1981 claim must be dismissed.

Plaintiff has also claimed that the change and subsequent amendment of the promotion policy by Defendant constitutes a "de facto conspiracy" to deprive Plaintiff of his equal protection rights under the Constitution, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1985 and § 1986.

A violation of § 1985 requires: "1) a conspiracy; 2) for the purpose of depriving, either directly or indirectly, any person *1369 or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws, or of equal privileges and immunities of the laws; 3) an act in furtherance of the conspiracy; 4) whereby a person is either injured in his person or property or deprived of any right or privilege of a citizen of the United States." Lucero v. Operation Rescue of Birmingham, 954 F.2d 624, 627 (11th Cir.1992). In addition, the ability to show the "invidiously discriminatory animus" intent is a significant hurdle for section 1985(3) plaintiff. Burrell v. Bd. of Trustees, 970 F.2d 785, 794 (11th Cir.1992).

Since Plaintiff's complaint does not allege that any person or entity outside the City of Albany participated in any conspiracy, Plaintiff has failed to establish a conspiracy, a required element of a § 1985 claim. Lucero, 954 F.2d at 627; Mitchell, 954 F. Supp. at 1575. ("Plaintiff cannot demonstrate a conspiracy required to hold defendants liable under § 1985(3) because a corporation cannot conspire with its own employees.")

Finally, § 1985 creates no substantive rights, but prohibits conspiracies to deprive a person of rights created elsewhere. United States v. Guest, 383 U.S. 745, 86 S. Ct. 1170, 16 L. Ed. 2d 239 (1966); Stevens v. Tillman, 855 F.2d 394 (7th Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1065, 109 S. Ct. 1339, 103 L. Ed. 2d 809 (1989). As the underlying claims (in this case, race discrimination) are without merit, "there can be no conspiracy where there is no underlying act." Mays, 928 F. Supp. at 1561.

Plaintiff concedes that before he can bring a claim under § 1986, there must be an actionable conspiracy under § 1985. Since the Defendants' are entitled to summary judgment on plaintiff's § 1985 claim, they are also entitled to summary judgment on his § 1986 claim. Alternatively, plaintiff does not refute that his § 1986 claim is time barred.

Plaintiff has failed to raise a genuine issue of material fact on any of his claims. Accordingly, Defendants', City of Albany, and Janice Allen and Henry Fields, in their official capacities, Motion for Summary Judgment [Tab # 61] is HEREBY GRANTED IN ITS ENTIRETY. Defendants', Janice Allen and Henry Fields, in their individual capacities, Motion for Summary Judgment [Tab # 65] is also HEREBY GRANTED IN ITS ENTIRETY.