Cook v. Equiolone Enterprises, L.L. C. d/b/a Shell Oil Products U.S., No. 4:2009cv00756 - Document 24 (S.D. Tex. 2010)
Court Description: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER GRANTING 14 MOTION for Summary Judgment.(Signed by Judge Keith P Ellison) Parties notified.(sloewe)
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U NI TED STA TES D I STRI T C O U R T C SO U TH ER N D I STR I T O F TEX AS C H O U STO N D I I V SION R I AR D N . O O K , CH C Pl ntf , ai i f CI L ACTI NO.4: c 0756 VI ON 09- v- V. EQUI LON ENTERPRISES, L. , L. C. D/ A SHELL Ol PRODUCTS US, B/ L D efendant . M EM O M ND UM A ND O R D ER Pe ng beor t Cour i Defnd ntsM oton f Summa y J gme ( ndi f e he ts e a ' i or r ud nt Doc. No 1 ) Themo in h sb e f l b ifd. Ha n c n ie e t ep ris fln s a1 . 4. to a e n ul ree y vig o sd r d h a te ' ii g , 1 r s ns s a r ple t e o,a t a i bl l w,t Co ttnds t t Def nda ' e po e nd e i s her t nd he pplca e a he ur s ha e nts M o i f Summ a y J ton or r udgme s dbegr nt d. nt houl a e BA CK G R O UN D 1 Thi c e ars s f om a l ge di c i i ton aga ns Pl i if R i ha d N as Cook s as i e r le d s rm na i i t a ntf c r h by hi e o r Defnda Equio Ent p rs ,L. C.d/ / Shel Oi Pr s mpl ye , e nt ln e ies L. ba l l oduc s US t (th l' o t f n a f) Co k' Orgn lCo an alg s t a S elvo ae te d e1 r i e d n '. o s iia mplit l e h t h l iltd h S ' De e Ameia swi Dia iiisAc (WDA',t eAg Dici n to i Emply n Ac rc n t s blte t $ h ' h e s rmiain n ) o me t t (t t ADEA' ,a d 41U. C.j 1 1 tr u h i c n u ti rlto t awo k lc ij r ' n ) S. 98 2 h o g t o d c n eain o s r pa e n u y Cook s t nedi Aprlof2008. usai n i Cook v. Equiolone Enterprises, L.L. C. d/b/a Shell Oil Products U.S. Doc. 24 1Thefct aeundiputd e ptwhee i c e a sr s e xce r ndiatd. 2Pli ifsOrgi Compl ntalgest tPl ntf wa S ontnuousya conssentyteaedi a antf' i nal ai le ha ai if s i i c l nd it l r t n dfeiga a ves ma ne d t hsrc s i voaino hsrg t un e 4 U. C. 1 1 ( mpl! ifrn nd d re n r ue o i ae' n ilto f i ihs d r 2 S. j 98 . Co . ' VI, c No 1)Pli ifsc u s lndctdd rn Plitf d p io , o ve,h th rc I Do . . . ant o n e i iae uig anifs e ost n h we r ta te a e f i dici i i cai w a i dve tnty i ude i t Orgi lPettonand a ee t w ihdr w t c e s rm naton l m s na re l ncl d n he i na ii gr d o t a he aus o ato .( o De 6 -8 Do . .1 - . Bae o t ssiuain s mmayj d me ti a popit f cin Co k p. 76 , c No 4 1) sd n hi tp lto , u r u g n s p r rae a t t scam . s o hi li 1 Dockets.Justia.com Cook w a hie by a t m por r a nc i J y 1 s rd e a y ge y n ul 999 t w or a a O pe a or at o k s n rt ShelsLubePl i GaenaPak,Texa . ( ok Af.! 2,DocNo.1 2. l J nuay l' ant n l r s Co f 9- ) n a r 2000,Cook be ame a r gul empl e of Shel i t Shi ng De rm e whe e he c e ar oye l n he ppi pa t nt r wasrs i e f l di tuc . (d. Coo wa a oxi t y 5 yeasol when eponsbl or oa ng r ks 1 4 k s ppr mael 2 r d S l hr d hm dr cl a a e ly e ( o De .2 1 - 5) Ro g y tn mo ts hel ie i ie t s n mpo e . Co k p 5:9 2 . u hl e nh y lt r Cook wa ta fr edt t Gr as De rm e whe ehe e nt a l be a e aLe ae , s r ns e r o he e e pa t nt r ve u ly c m ad Opeao .(d a 2 4 9 2829) Co k rman di t eGr a eDe rme u tl tco e rtr I . t 8:- , - . o e ie n h e s pa t nt n ii ls d i a p o i tl 2 0 ( o De 2 8 1 . Afe te co u e o t Gr ae n p r xmaey 0 5. Co k p. 9:- 7) tr h ls r f he e s De rm e ,Cook wasta f re t t Pa lLi whe e he fle pa l wih m ot oi. pa t nt r ns e r d o he i ne r ild is t or l ( k AE ! 3. Cookwor d ont PalLi f a o mat y ayea a ahafuntl Coo ) ke he i ne or ppr xi el r nd l i h s sane awo k plc ij r t hslf s ule . ( o De 3 ) Co k' ij r e u ti d r a e nu y o i et ho d r Co k p. 0. o s nu y rq rd s r eya dh r man do fof r fr u to e o ey a fo De e e 2 0 e uie u g r n e e ie f wo k o j s v r n e r r m c mb r 0 6 t J n ay 2 0 . ( o De .3 - 1 . Upo rt r ig t wo k i J n ay 2 0 ,Co k o a u r 0 8 Co k p 0 3 ) n e unn o r n a u r 0 8 o bega wor ng on t Qua t Li a a Opeaor ( k De 3132) Afe n ki he r ne s n rt . Coo p. - . tr a o ma ey one mont Coo wasta f r d t t Ga l Li whe e he c i d t ppr xi t l h, k r nsere o he lon ne r ontnue o wo ka a Opertr ( r sn ao . CookAE !3. ) On t m or ng of Aprl4,2008,a a o ma ey 6: a. . a t r r he ni i t ppr xi t l 30 m , fe oughl 20 y mi e of o r tng t c e e e t mac ne o t Gal Li ,Cook s t i d a nuts pe a i he as r cor hi n he lon ne usa ne n ij r t h srg ts o le . ( o De 3 - 8) Co k i d aey s u d wn hs n u y o i ih h ud r Co k p. 7 3 . o mme itl h t o i ma hn a d rp re t ij r t hi s pe vs r S ot S rk. ( o Af !4) Co k c ie n e o td he nu y o s u r io , c t mee Co k f . o a v s d S rkt a hewa e pein ig a1to p i a ar s l o hss ud rij r . d ie me e h t s x re cn o f an s e ut f i ho le n u y Ld. Smee t d Cook t the wo d snd a t re o e down t Cook' lnet I4 rk ol ha ul e nohe mplye o si o rle Cook o hi dutes ( eive f s i . Cook De a 39: 5. Ther le e o e a ved s ty p. t 4- ) eif mplye ni horl 2 t r afe a Cook s he e t r nd pentr oughl fve t t mi e tani t e oye t co i y i o en nut s r i ng he mpl e o ntnue t lne' opeai (d.a 42: - 43:- . Cook t n wac t r i emplyee he i s rton. I t 23 25, 121) he thed he elef o nm t lne f a he i or bout30 mi e be us Sme e had i tuced hi t m a s e i was nut s ca e rk nsr t m o ke ur t o e aigp o e l (#. t 4:2 1 ) p r t r p ry. f a 4 1 - 9. n Cook t n we t fnd Sme e t tl hi t thew a sile re i pan a he nt o i r k o e l m ha s tl xpe incng i nd n e e me ia atni n (d.a 4 2 - 5,4 14. Durn t i me t g,S r k e d d d c l te to . I t 4:0 2 5:- ) ig her ei mee n alg dy tl Coo Eplo l a y u a e h v a tnd n y o b i g ij r dmo eo tn le e l o d k,t e pe t o r g a e e e c f en n u e r fe l ta oh r , n Id n'k w wh t od , 'en v rbe ni ti st ainbeo e' (d. t h n tes a d o t no a t o Iv e e e n h s iu to f r . I a ' 4 4 8) Co kcamsta h a v sd S rk ta Smee n e e t g t m t d el r 5:- . o li h t e d ie mee h t r k e d d o e hi o t l o sh s meme ca pl e't ha a doco l a hi s de . (d.at45:0-1 ) Sme e o di l ac ' o ve tr ook t s houl r I 1 3. rk t dCook t thewoul Sge wih ( ol ha d ç t t Cookjl e on'and i tu td Coo t rtr t hi atr ' nsr ce k o e' n o s u wok a e . (d.a 45:1 20. Cookcomple wih Smeek' i t ci a r i d r ra 1 t 8- ) id t r s nsru tons nd emane a hi wor sa i f a oxi ael 30 mi e obs r ng t r lefe oyeewho was t s k tton or ppr m t y nut s e vi he ei mpl nmnig t ln . (#.a 4 2- 1 4 :5 1 . Co k te lf h ssain t g s e k t n he ie f t 5: 1 , 6 1 - 8) o h n et i tto o o p a o S rka o t i ij r a an.@d a 4 2 - . Co ktsi dt t d rngters c n me e b u h s nu y g i . t 5:4 25) o etfe ha, u i h i e o d dic son,Sme ek apol i e f ma ng t c s us i r og z d or ki he omm e about Cook' ag but t n nt s e, he p o e d d t ma e a oh ra er ltd c mme t saig t o l ( o s a e h v a r c e e o k n te g -eae o n, ttn t p e Co k') g a e pe tn e c o b igh r mo eotn o tej b. (d. t48 1 - 4, 9: - 3) Smee as e d n y f en u t r fe n h o ' 1 a :7 2 4 212 . ' r k lo t l Co k t sa d wn i hi wok ae a d rpe td t a h wo d ç e wih ( o od o o ty o n s r r a n e ae h t e ul t t t Co k) g whe he( dl' (d. 48:0- 3. n coul . I at 1 1 ) ' Cook r t r t hi w o k s a i a waied f r a e u ned o s r t ton nd t o bout30 m i e be or c lng nut s f e ali hi wie t c pik hi up. (#.a 50: 4. Befr hi wie ani Cook c ld s f o ome c m f t 2- ) o e s f ved, ale Sme e a i o m e Sme e t t he ha c l hi wie t tke hi t t docor r k nd nf r d r k ha d aled s f o a m o he t 3 bec us hene d me ca atnton. @d.a 50:5- 5. Smee i or Coo t thi a e ede di l te i t 1) rk nf med k ha s wie c d nott ke hi t t doc o ,a lt r whe Coo s wie ari f oul a m o he t r nd a e , n k' f rved,Sm e e rk i o me h rta o l aS ele ly ec ul tk Co kt ted co f rh sij r (d. nfr d e h t ny h l mp o e o d a e o o h o tr o i nu y. I a 5 212 . Co k' wiete lf t eS elfcl y (d. t512 3. Ata p o maey t 0: - 5) o s f h n e t h h l a ii . I a :- ) t p r xi tl 1 30p. . Sm e e t Cook t t She lmedi lf iiy atShel' De rPa k Refne y. 2: m , r k ook o he l ca aclt ls e r i r (d. t52:- 7. Sme e watdf Cooki t watngr d i Coo se mi ton 1 a 7 1 ) r k ie or n he ii oom urng k' xa nai b ad co , ihlse a p o maey 3 miu e .(# a 5 :- 7) S r kte d o e y o tr whc a td p r xi tl 0 n ts f . t 32 1 . me e h n r v Cook ba k t t Lube Pl ntwhe e Coo c nged hi cot s a dr ve hi s l hom e. c o he a r k ha s l he nd o m ef (d. t5 - 5) Th n x we k Co k c na td S rk t if r hm t a h c ul n t 1 a 4 5 . e e t e , o o tce mee o n o m i h t e o d o ma i t wor bec us hi s de pan ha i ensfed s t ntaly a hewasgoi ke t o k a e s houl r i d nt ii ubsa i l nd ng c e r li i t s eadocor ( o e t . CookAf.J7. Cook hasbeen on m ediallave fom Shel snce Aprl f! ) 2008. Fol wi h s ij r , Co k a pid f r a d b g n r c iig wokes lo ng i nu y o p le o n e a e evn r r' c ompe a i be ft . l Se e r o 2008,Coo unde e s ge y on hi rght ns ton ne is n pt mbe f k m nt ur r s i s de t rparat n r tt c fa lbr m. (d.a 1 3- 3. I Fe ua y 20 houl r o e i or oaor uf nd a u I t 02: 1 ) n br r 09, f l ng aheai beor t Te sW o kes'Compe ai Boar CK CB' Cook' olowi rng f e he xa r r ns ton d TW ' ) s wo k r 'c mpe s to b n ft wee tr n td. (d a 6 1 1 . Ba e o te r es o n ain e e is r e miae I . t 9:2- 3) s d n h t nui i ofhi wor r 'c e naton s ke s ompe ai n be ft ,pur ua t ispolc Shelcha d ns to ne is s nt o t iy, l nge Cook' lavesausfo oc upaina t no oc upatonal (d.a 69-0;Ca trAf.! s e tt r m c to l o n- c i . 1 t 7 re f ë U nde She ls polc e pl es who a e o non- upa i r l' i y, m oye r n occ tonal l ve m us pay f ea t or t i own heat i urnce. (d. Alho Coo hasdiputd t cls ii ton ofhi her lh ns a 1 ) t ugh k s e he a sfcai s mediall ve a t r s tng r quie ntt the pa f hi own he t i ur nc , c ea nd he e uli e r me ha y or s alh ns a e Cook doe not alege t t t t r nai n of hi be ft or t he t i ur nce s l ha he e mi to s ne is he alh ns a 4 r uie ntaer ltd t hi age.(J.a 70- . Afe hi la wasrcl sfe Cook eq rme r eae o s f t 71) tr s e ve e asiid, a pl dfra db g nr c iiglngtr d s blt b neis(tTD' .(# a 1 7 1 8) p i o n e a e evn o -em ia ii e ft < e y ' f.t 1-1. ) I Nove r2009,Cook' doc o sr l a t hi t r 'r t wor on a lghtdu y n mbe s t r e e s d m o et n o u k i t bass (d.a 711 20. Att tme,a or ng t Shel,t r wee no lghtdut i. I t :6- ) he i cc di o l he e r i y pos to ava l bl a t Lube Pl ntand Cook w ast d t the coul r t n t w o k o y ii ns ia e t he a ol ha d e ur o r nl wih af lrl s @d.a 7 2- 8. Att tmeofhi de ii i De mbe 2009, t ul eea e. t 2: 1 ) he i s poston n ce r Co kwa c n iungt r c ieLTD b n t a dr c p rtn fo hsij re . Atta o s o tn i o e ev e eks n e u eaig r m i nu is ht tme,Cook had notbee cla e by hi doc o s t lf ie s wei ng mor t n t n i n erd s t r o it t m ghi e ha e p u d . (d a 8 - 1) Co k a tcp td o tiig a fl rla e s mei i 2 0a o n s I . t 0 8 . o n iiae b ann u l ee s o t n 01 nd me e t t bea et rt nt wor atShel @d.a 72- ) xpecs o bl o eur o k l. t 73. I. I STA ND A R D FO R SU M M AR Y JUD G M EN T A moin fr s mmay j d me tu e Fe ea Rul of Cii P o e u e 5 to o u r u g n nd r d r l e vl rc d r 6 r q ie t e Co r t d tnuie wh t e t mo n pat i e tte t j g n a a e ur s h u t o ee n eh r he vig ry s n ild o ud me t s matrof1 basd on t e de e t fr pr e e Se FE R.CI P.5 c . te aw e he vi nc hus a esntd. e D. V. 6() S mmayj d me ti p o e çft pla i s d p sto s a we st i e tre , u r u g n s r p r é he e dng , e o iin , ns r o ntnogao is i a a s i on fl ,t t rwih t a fda t,i a s nd dmisons ie ogehe t he fi vis f ny, how t tt r i no ge ne ha he e s nui is ea t a ymaeilfc a d ta temo i p ryi e tt dt j g n a amatr su s o n tra a t n h t h vng a t s nil o ud me t s te e o lw. Ke v Ci o wlt, 4 F.d2 6 21 ( t Ci. 01 ( u tto o te ) f a ' e . t fRo et2 7 3 0 , 0 5h r 20 ) q oains mi d . ' y t A g n i is eofmaeilfc e it i ar a o a l j r c u d e tra v r it e une su tra a t x ss f e s n b e u y o l n e ed c frt n n mo n pat .Cr w o d v Fo mo aPlsis Cop. 2 4 F.d 8 9 9 2 ( t o he o - vig ry a f r . r s a t c r , 3 3 9 , 0 5h Ci.2000) Thi Cour mus viw al e de e i t lghtmos fvor e t t nonr . s t t e 1 vi nc n he i t a abl o he m ovi pa t a dr al r as bl i e e s i t tpa t s f vor 1 He r a ng ry nd aw 1 e ona e nf r nce n ha ry' a . d. a s y, co l o y a l ga i ,uns t nta e a s r i ns a uns nc us r le tons ubs a i t d s e to , nd uppored s ul ton a e not t pec a i r c mp tn s mma y j dg n e d n e FE R.CI P.5 ( )1;s e as Li l v o ee t u r u me t vie c . D. V. 6 e ( ) e lo t e . t 5 Li i Ai Cop. 3 F.d 1 6 ,1 7 (t Ci.1 9 ( oi ta ano mo a tsb r e qud r r , 7 3 0 9 0 5 5h r 9 4) n t h t n- v n ' u d n ng i t t s tsid wih Gome mea i l do a t t maei fcs' (ii s d aife t s no tphysca ubt s o he tral a t'' ctng Matus t Elc I .Co.v.Ze t Radi Cor ,475U. 574,586 ( 986) l e s hia e . ndus nih o p. S. 1 :. nde d, t s vve a moton f s o ur i i or ummay j r udgme t ti prpel made a s nt ha s o ry nd uppore t td, he opposng pa t sr pons c nnotr y me el on alegai nsordeni s i t pl a ngs i ry' es e a el r y l to al n he e di , butmus poi t s i f t s t nt o pecfc ac s howi a ge ne is f ti l Se FED.R.CI P. ng nui s ue or ra . e V. 5 ()2 . 6 e( ) 11 1. CO OK ' AGE DI S SCRI I M NATI I EM PLOYM ENT ACT CLAI S ON N M A . Di sparat Treat ent e m The ADEA pr bis e oye s fom dic i i tng agans e pl s on t ohi t mpl r r s rm na i i t m oyee he ba i of a ss ge. A pl i if m a pr t e se e of i ento l dic i i i n et r antf y ove he xit nc nt i na s rm nato ihe p nt e t ough diec orcic sa i le de 3 Ru s 1 v M c nne Hos . Ve ur ,235F. hr r t r um t nta vi nce. s e 1 . Ki y 3d 21 222 ( h Ci.2000) Dici nai cai lcki s fce die te denc ae 9, 5t r . s rmi ton l ms a ng ufiint r c vi e r a l d a or ng t t bur n-hitng fa e r frt esabls d by t Supr nayze cc di o he de s fi r m wo k is t ihe he eme Co r i M c n el u a Cop. . e n 41 U. 7 2( 9 3 . u tn Do n lDo gls r v Gr e , 1 S. 9 1 7 ) Mc Donne lD ou asi tu st tt pl ntf mus fr tesa ih a prma l gl nsr ct ha he ai if t is t bls i f ci c e of dicrm i ton. Onc t pl ntf pr ent a prma f ci a e as s i na i e he ai if es s i a e ca e t defnda mus t n a tc ae a l tma e,no s rmi t y s , he e nt t he riul t egii t ndic i naor 3n er i s die e de ofa r ae bison Smerk' pa t a e de d byhi c e s ome r ct vi nce ge-eltd a e s r, s vi nce s omme sont nt he d yo Co k' ij r A rmaki c n iee p o ai o dsrmiaini id mo srtsdsrmi tr a f o s nuy. e r s o sd rd r b t f ici n to ft e n tae ici naoy ve a musa wa madebyape s prmarl r ponsbl f t adves e oymentaci orby ape s ni nd s r on i iy es i e or he re mpl ton ron wi i le c o lv rg o e tefr l e iin k r fa tnv Ga I c, 3 F.d5 2 5 3( t Ci. t nf n e r e ea e v r h oma d cso ma e. xo . p, n .3 3 3 7 , 8 5h r h u 2 0 ) I t sc s, mee ' a erltdc mme t weema ei Ap io 2 0 onted yo Co k' 0 3 . n hi a e S rks g -eae o ns r d n rl f 0 8 h a f o s ij r Asdsu s difa, h l' o l ag a l a v ree o n a to a an tCo k,h nuy. ic se nr S els ny r u by d es mplyme t cin g is o te rcl stcai ofhi l vesaus t k plces tme atrFe uay 2009.N otonl ha sgniianttm e e as ii ton s ea tt , oo a ome i fe br r y d i fc i pasedsnc Smeek' a -el e c s i e r s ge r atd omme s buti wast Huma Re our de t nt no Sme e nt, t he n s ces parme . t r k, wh ma etela esau d cso .( re Af.r Co kDe 7 -6) Coo h sp ee tdn e d n e o d h ev tts e iin Catr f!3; o p. 57 . k a rsn e o vie c t tSme e wa i vedi o ha i l nc ove t decson t r cl sf hi be hs I lghtoft ha r k s nvol n r d nfue e r he ii o e as iy s nef . n i he sgnii a pa s geoftmea t compl el difr decson- ke i vedi Cook' l ve i tc nt s a i nd he et y feent ii ma r nvol n s ea deemi to Sme e sa r ltd c tr nain, r k' ge-eae omme sar notby t ms vess fce diec evi nceof nt e he el ufiint r t de dici n to t alw Co kt wih tn s mmayj g n.Dept telc ofs t e t vd n eo srmiain o l o o o tsa d u r ud me t s i h a k uf n e ie c f e ki dic i nai t s f t bur n ofpe s so i s rmi ton o hit he de r ua in mmeditl t ShelCook' cl m i alo a opratl aey o l, s ai s s ppr i ey e l t unde t M c vauaed r he DonnelDou asbur s fig fa wor l gl den-hitn r me k. r on f t q si eas or he ue toned e oyme a ton. l t de enda i a e t mpl nt c i f he f nt s bl o do s t bur n s fsbac t t pl ntf t pr e e de t t o, he de hit k o he ai if o oduc vi nce hat he de e ntsa tc a e r a o i me el apr e f rdic i i ton. f nda ' ri ult d e s n s r y etxt o s rm nai Fr kv XeoxCo.347F. 1 1 (t Ci. an . r , 3d 30, 37 5h r 2003)(ntr ciato omitd) i enal t ins te . Tos r ies u vv ummayj dg n o h scam o ds rmiain o t eb ssofa e r u me t n i li f ici n to n h a i g , Coo mus r ie a ge ne is ofm a e i f ton e c e e k t as nui s ue t ral ac a h l mentoft prm a f ci c e he i a e as ofdici nai Jo on v.fouii 351 F. 61 62122 ( h Ci.2003) The srmi ton. hns sana, 3d 6, - 5t r . p i fc c s r q ie apli ift d mo taet t 1 hei ame ro ap oe td rma a e ae e ur s antf o e nsr t ha: ) s mbe f r tce ca s 2 h wa q lfe f r t e po io i q e to 3 he s fr d a a v re ls; ) e s uaiid o h st n n u sin; ) i ufee n d es e ly n a to a d 4 wa r pa e b ayo ng rwo ke o ohewiete td ls mpo me t cin; n , ) s e lc d y u e r r r t r s rae e s f vo a y t n smia l st t d pe s outi t pr t ctd cl s Rac d v Jac I a r bl ha i lry iua e r ons sde he o e e as . hi . k n teBo , n 3 6F.d3 5 3 9( t Ci. 0 4 . h x I c, 7 3 0 , 0 5h r 2 0 ) I i undiput d t tCook,w ho w a overs xt ye r o1 w he t r e nte nt ts s e ha s i y as d n he el va ve s oc ure i a membe oft c a spr e t d by t ADEA - e oyee over40 ye r of c r d, s r he l s otc e he mpl s as a Cook wascla l qua ii f t Ope aorposton i whih he wa e oye a ge. e ry lfed or he rt ii n c s mpl d t Shel. I i l s cla ,ho ve ,whehe Cook s f r d a a r e e pl l t s es e r we r t r ufe e n dve s m oyme aci n. nt to Coo s Orgi l Pe ii al ges t t he was t or d t r sgn fom hi pos by t k' i na tton le ha ç ce o e i r f s t he Def nda 'a t the ç sr plc by a i vi lt twa noti t pr e t d cls e nt' nd ha t wa e a ed n ndi dua ha s n he ot c e a s ofpes nsove f t ( yeasofa ' ( ro r ory 40) r ge. Compl !VI) Theei nocompee s ' . . r s tnt umma y r j d me t e ie e h we e ,ta S l e e f re Co k t r sg . I f c,Co k u g n vd nc , o v r h t hel v r o c d o o e in n a t o tsiid t the wasneve fr de ed,orwr ul dicplned by Shel. ( e tfe ha r ed, mot ongf ly s i i l Cook De 68:- 8. Unco r re e de de p. 1 1 ) ntove td vi nce monsrtst Coo i c r l a a tve tae hat k s urenty n ci e oye ofShelwhoi onmediall ve.( re AE !3, No.1 2. mpl e l s c ea Ca tr Doc. 4- ) 7 A lhough Coo doe notr i e t i s i hi Or gi lPe ii or i hi Re pons t k s a s he s ue n s i na tton n s s e t ShelsM o i f Sum ma y J m e ,She la gua y t a a s a ton a ns o l' ton or r udg nt l r bl ook n dver e c i gai t Cook when i r l s ii hi l a sat fom occ tona t non- c i na upon t t ec a sfed s e ve t us r upa i l o oc upato l he TW CB' de e mi to t tCoo wa ftt r t n t wor I ed,pur ua t Shel' S t r nai n ha k s i o eur o k. nde s nt o ls polc t s r cls ii to r s t i Coo beng r quied t pa f hi own he lh iy, hi e a sfca in e uled n k i e r o y or s at i ur nc ns a e. The Fit Cic tha hel t ta emplyme aci t tt fh r ui s d ha n o nt ton ha t notafe tj does fc ob d i , c pe aton, or be is' s not a a r e e pl ym e ac i utes om ns i neft , 'i n dve s m o nt ton. Pe am v. gr Ho e l I c,3 F.d 27 2 2 (t Ci.2 0 ) ( u tt n maks a d itr a n ywel n . 61 3 2, 8 5h r 0 4 q oai , o r n n en l ctt n o te . l e d d d re e o me t a to s i ld o l utmae i i s mi d) nd e , t ves mply n cin ncu e ny li t ao t a e pl ent dec sons s h a hii gr i l a , di c r ng, pr otng, or m oym ii uc s rng, antng e ve s ha gi om i Co ' f h e e r, 9 3 / c mp n a i .4 M c y v.C1yo S r vpo t 4 2 F.d 55 ,5 9 (t Ci.20 7 ( e o e st ' ng ' 1 5 5h r 0 ) p r . c ra ( u t Gr e v Ad ' o T ln Edu .Fu d 2 4 F.d 6 2,6 7 ( t Ci. u im) q oi ng e n . m r f ua e c n , 8 3 4 5 5h r s 2 0 )(n en lq o ai n o te ) Be a s S els rca sfc to o Co k' la 0 2 itr a u tto s mitd . c u e h l' e lsiiain f o s e ve sa usr s t d i am a e i cha t hi heat bene is t dec so a ar t qua iy tt e ule n t ral nge o s lh ft , he ii n ppe s o lf a a ad s e pl enta i unde t A DEA . s n ver e m oym cton r he The Co tne d no detr i whe he Shel' co uc c tt e a ad r e ur e t e m ne t r ls nd t onsiut d n ve s e o e a i n,hoy e r be us t r i no e de mplym nt cto v ve , ca e he e s vi nce t t r l sûc to hat he ecas i a in oc red i a m a rt tgi s rs t a i e e e ofa dic i i ton. Rahe ,t cu r n nne ha ve ie o n nf r nc ge s rm na i t r he unc r re e de e i t r or s ontove td vi nc n he ec d hows t t She ls l a polc wa c it nty ha l' e ve iy s onsse l a i d t e pl es of a 1a . I t a e of e denc t t Cook w a t e t d l s pple o m oye l ges n he bs nce vi e ha s r a e es 4 I hi Re pons Cook a r t s es t tSme e , ager lt c n s s e ppea s o ugg t ha r k s -eaed omment a r sst tCoo s nd eque t ha k , rtr t hswo ksainonted y o Co k' ijr c n tuea v ree ly nta to s Smee s eun o i r tt o h a f o s nu y o si t d es mpo me cin . rk' t c onduct abei a r nty i enstve,doesnotc tt t a adve s empl , l t ppa e l ns ii onsiue n re oymenta i unde t ADEA cton r he a i e prt by t Fit Cicui. s ntr eed he fh r t fvo a y t n ot sm ia l st aed i vi souti hi pr e t d c a swih r ga d a r bl ha her i lry iu t ndi dual sde s ot c e l s t e r t hi l a s a us t fnalel m e of t prm a f c e ca e ha not be s ts i a o s e ve t t , he i e nt he i ai s s en a i fed nd s mmayj d me t st eeo ea p o it . u r u g n i h rf r p rprae B. H os ie W ork E nvi tl ronm ent Co k' Orgi lPei o as alg s t a Co k wa s b e tt % o tlt a d o s i na tt n lo le e h t o i s u j c o ç sii n h y v r a a s ut,tr ee a h sa e' ( mp . VI) Alh u h te Fit Cic i h sn t eb l s a ls a g td t i g . Co l ! . t o g h fh rut a o ' s ciialy hel t ta hosie wor en r pe fc l d ha tl k vionmentc am i cog za e undert ADEA , l i s ni bl he t Cour a s e f pur es oft s moton t ts h a c e ofaci i a lbl he t s um s or pos hi i ha uc aus ton s vaia e. M c al v Eme s El .Co. No.04Ne y . r on ec , 30305. 1 Fe Appx.29,2005 W L 86503,3 , 21 d. 4 n 1( t Ci. a 1 , 0 ) . 5h r J n. 7 2 05 . To sae a hosie wor e r ntcli a pl ntf mus s t t ( )t tt tl k nvionme am, ai if t how ha: 1 he vitm b ln s t a pr tce g o p; ( ) te vci wa s b e td t u wec me ci eo g o oe td r u 2 h itm s u j ce o n lo h rsme t ( ) te h rsme t wa b s d o a p oe td c a a trsi; ( ) te aas n; 3 h aas n s ae n r tce h r ce itc 4 h h r sme a fce atr c n iin o p i lg o e ly n ;a ( )t v ci s a a s nt fe td em, o dto , r rvi e f mpo me t nd 5 he it e m' empl r knew o s d ha k wn of t har s e and f ied t tke pr oye r houl ve no he asm nt al o a ompt r me a aci EEOC v.WC&M Entr .I , F. 393,399 ( h Ci.2007) S e dil ton. e s, nc.496 3d 5t r .d For ha a s e t af e ta t r ,co to orprvie of e pl e i m us be s f c e l r s m nt o f c e m ndii n, i l ge m oym nt t t ufi i nty s ve e or pe v i s as t at r t co to of e oym e and c ea e a a i e r r asve o o le he ndii ns mpl nt r t n busve wo kn e vr n n . Cee tn v Per lo d V ne u l S 26 F.d 3 3, 5 ( t r ig n io me t' lsi e . toe s e e z ea A, 6 3 4 3 3 5h ' Ci.2 01 (n e a q tto so t d . I e au tn wheh ra wo k e vr nme ti r 0 ) itm l uoain mit ) n v laig te e r n io n s hos ie a lc r um s a e a e cons de ed,i l ng d he f e nc of t di c i i or tl , l ic t nc s r i r nc udi ç r que y t he s r m nat y c onduc , is s vert whet r i i physc l t ea e ng or hum ii tng, or a me e t t e iy, he t s i aly hr t ni lai r ofe i ute a ,and whehe i unr a ona y i e f r wih an e oye s wor f nsve tr nce t r t e s bl nt re ed t mpl e' k pe f nc ' Hari v Fo kitS .51 U. 1 23(1 . ronna e. ' rs . r lf ys, 0 S. 7, 993) I t s c e,Cook wor f Shelf rnea l a de de bef e t a lged ve bal n hi as ked or l o ry ca or he le r as a t t plce i t sca e. I ed,t o y t o a r l e comment a s uls ook a n hi s nde he nl w ge-eatd s boutwhi h c Co k tsiid o c re o te sme d y i Ap i 2 0 wh n h ij r d hi s o l e. o e tfe c u rd n h a a n rl 0 8 e e n u e s h u d r Sur y,t a - ea e c me sovera ne ry t n yea pe i i i ufi intt r ie a el wo ge r lt d om nt al e r rod s ns fce o a s q sinof a t st wh t e Co kwa s b e to s v r o pe v sv haa s n r ltd ueto f c a o eh r o s u j c t e ee r r a ie r sme t eae t hsa e Th s s mmayj d me ti a p o raewi r s e tt Co k' h siewo k o i g . u , u r u g n s p r p it t e p c o o s o tl r h e r e c am . nvionm nt l i I V. COOK ' AM ERI S CAN ' W I DI S TH SABI TI ACT CLAI LI ES M The ADA pr bis dic i nai n by prva e e oye s agai t a quaii d ohi t s rmi to i t mpl r ns ny lfe i vi lwih adia lt A ds blt i d fn da :1 ap y ia o me tlmpar nt ndi dua t s biiy. ia iiy s e ie s ) h sc l r na i ime t s t ntal lmis o o mo e mao lf a t iis 2 a r c r o s c a hat ubsa i ly i t ne r r j r ie ci te , ) e o d f u h n v ng uc mpaiment S. i ime t o 3 b ig rgad d as havi s h an i r . 42 U. C. mpar n , r ) en e r e 1 0 ( )A) ( , c) 21 2 4 ( ,B) ( . A . W he he Cook W asD i abl d U nde t AD A t r s e r he TheUnied St t Supr Cour ha hel t ta i par ntds t t lvelof t aes eme t s d ha n m ime es o he e adiabiiyonl i isi cti t r ne orl tr ' yot Mot Mf KYl .v. s lt y f t mpa s t ma nt ong em.'To a or g. nc pe Wi ims 5 4 U. 1 4, 1 7 ( 0 2) Ac o dn y,u e a pl a l Fit Cic i l a , 3 S. 8 9 2 0 . c r igl nd r p i b e fh rut l c pr ce nt t e de , empor r non- r c i i nt ge r ly do not c tt t dia lte . a y, ch oni mpanne s ne al onsiu e s biiis Ha lo v So twe tr BelT l Co,1 6F.d 1 47(t Ci.1 98 .Fo e a l,h mitn . uh se n l e. . 3 3 0 5h r 9 ) r x mpe te F fhCic iha f u dt tn u isr q iig s r ey a dr c p r to aen td sb lis it r ut s o n ha ij re e urn u g r n e u eain r o ia ii e t e n whe t y c us ext nded a e es f om w o k. Ro r v.I 1 M ari Ter n s ve n he a e e bs nc r r ge s nt ne mi al , I c, 7F.d7 5( t Ci. 9 6 (n oliga kl atito srq iigs r e y . n .8 3 5 5h r 1 9 ) iv vn n e flcin e urn u g r ) Si Supr nce eme Cour ' de ii i To a M ot ,howe r Co es pa s d t ts c son n yot or ve , ngr s s e he Ame ia wih Dia lte Ac Ame nt Ac of2008 ( rc ns t sbiiis t ndme s t ADAAA) whih be a , c c me ef cie o J n r 1 2 0 Pu .La 1 0 3 5,j 8 1 2 S a.3 5 ( 0 ) The fe t n a uay , 0 9. b w 11 - 2 v , 2 tt 5 3 2 08 . ADAAA rj ce wh tCo g e sp rev dt b t eS p e Co r' u ul rsrci ee td a n r s ec ie o e h u r me u ts nd y e tit ve a oa t a l i whehera pl ntf s f r d fom a S s biiy' f pum os oft ppr ch o na yzng t ai if ufe e r ç a lt ' or di es he ADA. Thus i t ADAAA,Co e sm a ed t t defnii n ofdia lt i t be , n he ngr s ndat hat he i to s biiy s o c tue çn f vor of br onsr d d a i oad c r ove age of i vi l . ndi dua s t t ma mum ex e o he xi t nt pe mitd' by t l w,a pr de s cii gui nceast t mea ng oft ubsa i ly r te ' he a nd ovi d pe fc da o he ni ç t ntal s l td' a d ç j r lf a tvte . 4 U. C. j 1 0 ( )A) Of c u s , ti i e ' n t o ie ciiis' 2 S. mi ma ' 21 2 4 ( . o re h s s t nta l m odii d sa r ofi e pr t ton potntaly i ct t Cour' a l i ubsa i ly fe tnda d nt r e a i e i l mpa s he ts nayss of wheher Cook ha a dia lt wihi t me ng of t ADA. I i t r f r t d s biiy t n he ani he t s he e o e i po tntt a s swhehe t ADAA A a i t t co m ra o s es t r he pples o he nduc i t sca e. t n hi s l Car o v. Sout s Ailne , t Fit Cic t deci d t t i t t n m na hwe t ri s he fh r ui lne o d nd ha f Co g e s itnd d te ADAAA t a py r to ci l ' 6 4 F.d 8 ,8 7 ( t Ci. n rs ne e h o p l er a t y. 0 3 48 5 5h r ve ' 2 0 (iigEEOC v Agr Ditiui n L 5 5F.d46 , 9n.8( t Ci. 0 9 ) 01 ) ctn . o srb to , LC, 5 3 2 46 5h r 2 0 ). Any co nduc t tocc r d prort J nua y 1 2009,t r o e,i gove e by t ADA t ha ure i o a r , he ef r s m d he a t c e lw i e pr tng tdia lt ' i t t ADAAA,e n t nd he as a nt r e i t s biiy'pror o he ve hough Cook' cli s am mi ht f r d fe e l i t ADAA A we e a i g a e if r nty f he r ppled. On t ot r hand, e nt t t he he ve s ha oc ured a t t ADA AA' e f c i dae mus be e l t i lght of Congr s' c r fer he S fe tve t t va uaed n i es s s gnii a a t r i nst c t ç s biiy' i uiy. i fc nt le ato o ours' s a lt ' nq r di M o t ft ee e t i t i c s ,n ldn Co sij y o c re beo eJ n ay 1 s o h v n s n hs a e icu ig x' nur , c u rd fr a u r , 2009. The onl pot ntal a re e oyme ac i i t s c e, Shels y e i ly dve s mpl nt ton n hi as l' r l s fca i n ofCook' l ve s a us how e r t pl c i Fe u r 2009. The c s ec as i to s ea t t , ve , ook a e n br a y ae 1 w i t uc st tt r l va m o e f as e sng t e s e ofdi a lt i t tm e a nsr t ha he e e nt m nt or s s i he xi t nce s biiy s he i oft a ree oyme aci Se EEOC v.ChevonPhil Che c Co. 570 he dve s mpl nt ton. e r ll ps mial LP, F. 606,61 ( h Ci.2009) Thus i e uai whehe Cook was dia e i 3d 8 5t r . , n val tng t r sbld n Fe a y 2009, heCour mus a y t 1 w a m odii d by t ADA AA. bnzr t t t ppl he a s fe he The Equal Empl ym e Oppo t t Comm iso has not ye c o nt runiy sin t omplt d t e e he r l ma ng pr es t a e t s c i oft Code ofFede alRegul i de c t t u e ki oc s o m nd he e ton he r atons di aed o i e pr tng t ADA . The a ia e gui nc r r ng t a i to oft ADAAA nt r e i he val bl da e ega di he pplcai n he s ugge t t t Cook ve y wel m a be dia ed unde t saut as a e d,whih ss ha r l y s bl r he t t e m nde c icu e çit 'a amao lf a tvt 4 U. C. 1 0 ( )A) M o e v r teADA n ld s çfi ' s j r ie cii 2 S. j 21 2 2 ( . r o e ,h l ng y. i t u t t tTo a M ot ti em r t t t r çubsa i l lm is t r r a g e tr nsr c s ha yot or tnt eed he e m s t ntaly i t ' o equie r ae d g e o l tto ta wa itn e b Co g e s' Pu . w 1 1 - 2 j2 a () 1 2 e re f i ai n h n s ne d d y n r s . b La 1 0 3 5, ()7 , 2 mi ' S a,3 5 ( 0 8 . Asdic se if a i S cin I B. ho v r i i un e e sr t tt 5 3 2 0 ) s u s d n r n e t V. , we e, t s n c say o o r a h t que ton ofwhehe Co i dia e wihi t m e ni oft ame e c he si t r ok s s bl d t n he a ng he nded ADA bec us he hasf l d t s tsy t r mai ng e e nt ofa prm a f c e c e ofdia lt a e aie o a if he e ni l me s i a i as s biiy d s rm i i i c i naton. B. Pri a Fac e Cas ofD i abiiy D i cr m i i m i e s lt s i nat on To etbls dici nai ba e o dia lt Cook mus de tae t t ( ) sa ih s rmi ton s d n s biiy, t monsr t ha : 1 h wa d sbld d rn te rlv n t p ro ;( )hewa n n t ee sq aiid t d e s ia e u ig h ee a t i ei d 2 me s o eh ls u lfe o o tej b;( )a a v re e o n a to wa tk n a ans h m;a ( )ta hewa h o 3 n d es mplyme t cin s a e g i t i nd 4 h t s r pl c d by or teaed l s f vor bl t n non- s bl d e o es Se Al u e ae r t es a a y ha dia e mpl ye . e dr p Cad r , 7 F.d2 2 2 6( t Ci. 0 )M cn sv Almo C?/. l. s , 07F.d le a 2 4 3 8 , 8 5h r 2 01; l ni . a N. Col Dit 2 3 p 276,279- (t Ci. ) 80 5h r 2000 . A s um i t t Cook w a di a e i Fe u r 2009 a t t Shel t s ng ha s s bl d n br a y nd ha l ook a n a r eac in a i thi by r c a sf ng hi la sa us Cook hasf ied t s ts y t dve s to gans m e l s iyi s e ve tt , a l o a if he fnalee e oft prm af ci c s . l ed,aswih hi ADEA c am ,Cook haspoi e i lm nt he i a e a e nde t s li ntd t no e de t the w ast e t d l s f vor bl t ot non- s bl e pl s w ih o vi nce ha r a e e s a a y han her di a ed m oyee t 12 r ga d t hi la sa u a t r quie e t the pay f hi he t c r whie on e r o s e ve tt s nd he e r m nt ha or s alh a e l n n o c pain lla e S elh sp o i e c mp tn s mmayj d me te ie eta o - c u t a e v . h l a r v d d o ee t u r u g n vd nc h t o t de ii n t c ngeCook' l a sa uswasm a i r s he c so o ha s e ve tt de n e pons t t TW CB' de son e o he S cii t tr na e hi wor r ' c pe a i a t t s h a r cl sf ton was She ls o e mi t s ke s om ns ton nd ha uc e as ika i l' sa r pr dur The uncon r re e de alo s t nda d oce e. tove td vi nce s ugge t t tt ac ompa ng ss ha he c nyi r r mentt tCook ma heat i ur e pa e swhie on non- cu tona l ve equie ha ke lh ns anc ym nt l oc pa i l ea wa a sa d polc Cook haspoi e t no e de e t tShe lha notc itnty s tndar iy. ntd o vi nc ha l s onsse l a i t s polc e t al Shel e oye r ga dl s ofdia lt Thus be aus Cook ppled he e ii s o 1 l mpl es e r e s s biiy. , c e has nots ts aised t fna elm e oft prma f ci ca e e n i he s f r fo a he i l e nt he i a e s , ve f ufe ed r m d sb ly i F br ay2 0 , u r u g n i a p o rae ia ii n t u r 0 9 s mmayj d me t s p r p it. t V. CONCLUSI ON B e a e Cook ha f l d t m a outa prm a f ci ca e f bot hi A DEA a c us s aie o ke i a e s or h s nd A DA c a m s D ef nda s M o in f r S mmay J d me t( c No. 1 ) i h r b li , e nt ' to o u r u g n Do . 4 s ee y G R AN TED . I I SO O RD ER ED . T S S GNEDa Ho so , ea, ntite Y dyo Oco e, 0 0 I t utn T x so hshv a f tb r2 1 . î r . K EI P. LLI N TH SO UNI TED S ATES DI STRI J CT UDGE
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