Linkous v. StellarOne, No. 7:2012cv00229 - Document 33 (W.D. Va. 2013)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 6/4/2013. (lab)

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CL S OFFI U'8. sm O URT ERK' CE Dt ATROANOKE, VA FIED L I THE UN I N TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT FOR THE W ESTERN DI STRI OF VI NI CT RGI A RO AN OK E D I I ON V SI J 2ù 2 1 UN 23 JULA . I B - L CL EX L LEN O RE LI K OU S, N Pl ntf , ai i f Ci lA c i N o.7: 2- vvi ton 1 c 00229 M EM O M N DU M O PI O N NI STELLA RON E BA NK , By: H on.G l n E.Co ad e nr Chi fUnie Stt DititJ e t d a es src udge D e e nt f nda . Thi c s i ve a a to fl dpurua t t AgeDic i naton i Empl m e Ac s a e nvol s n c i n ie s nt o he s rmi i n oy nt t (W DEA',29U. C.j62l# s Thepl ntf,Ms Le eLil , ai s wa frd û ' ) S. . eq. 1 ai if . nor rkous cl ms he s ie f om he poston w ih t de e nt St l r ne be aus ofhe a The de enda has fl d a r r ii t he f nda , ela o , c e r ge. f nt ie moinf rs mmayj d me t u s n t Fe e a Rueo CiiPr c d r 5 .Th c u ti d to o u r u g n p rua t o d r l l f vl o e u e 6 e o r tn s t tt pl i ifhasdem onsr t d a ge ne di p e ove w he he he age w a t û f ' ha he a ntf ta e nui s ut r t r r s he t or' but ca e ofhe t r i to a wilde t de e n ' m oto us r e m na i n, nd l ny he f nda t s i n. Fact Background ual l O c o rof2000,M s Li ko w a hie by Fis N a i na Ba ast Br nc n t be . n us s r d r t to l nk he a h M a e f t Bat s601NorhM an Stee l ton i Blc bur Vigi atd ' M an'. nag r or he rk' t i r tocai n a ks g, r ni ç t i ' Nolh ) St l r ela one w asf m e on M a 27, or d y 2008 outoft m e gerofFi s N a i he r r t tonalBa a V igi a nk nd r ni Fi nci Gr up,I M s Li usc i d i he r e w ih St la one untls wastr o na al o nc. . nko ontnue n r ol t e l r i he i ed n Aug t24, 1 atw hi tm e s wass xt ei ye sol us 201 , ch i he i y- ght ar d. M s Lil . r kouswor s e suly wih t compa f antmbe ofye r ,r evi ked ucc s f l t he ny or l r a s ec i ng per or ance r ew s f t year 2009 and 2010 satng t she dexceedsexpect i ' and f m evi or he s t i hat d at ons' tm eet expect i ' r pectvel l Augus ,2011,how ever M ela W r ght a t l atN ort ç s atons,' es i y. n t , i i , eler h M ai fl a com pl ntw ih St l one' H um an Res cesD epart entagai tM s.Li n, ied ai t elar s our m ns nkous. ' . M s W rg c . i ht ompl i d t tM s Li ane ha . nkouswasr t la i a i therf rha ng a i f ra e a itng gans o vi ppled o pos ton a a he St la one br nc ii t not r e l r a h. The c pl i w a ha e b N a y M ic l,Seni H u a Res c m a e f om a nt s ndl d y nc t he l or m n our es nag r or St la o ne. l r pons t t c pl i ,M s M ic l,a o w ih Li a Canne l St la o ne' e lr n es e o he om a nt . t he l l ng t s l, e l r s Chi fH um a Ca t lO f i er i ta ed a i tga i n i t M s Li e n pia fc , nii t n nvesi to n o . nkous pe f m a e. A spa t ' r or nc r ofhe i tga i M s M ic l s ntfve d i t r e ngempl sa t N orh M an r nvesi ton, . t he l pe i ays n e viwi oyee t he t i Br nc I i St la one' poston t tt i o ma in t ove e durngt i ve tga i l t a h. t s el r s ii ha he nf r to mc r d i he n si ton ed o M s. nko 't r i t o Fi s ,anum be ofe pl est d M s M ic lt tM s Li Li us e m na i n. r t r m oye ol . t hel ha . nkous feque l dic s he pe sma lf whie a wor Thebul oft s dic sonsi vedM s r nty s us ed r r c l ie l t k. k he e s us i nvol . Lil 'e boyf i rkous x- rend,W ile Pr c The e pl yee r po t d t tM s Li li i e. m o s e r e ha . nkous s poke w ih t t hem abou how s ha c ugh M r Pr c ha ng a a f i w ih a he w om mz M s W r gh s a e t he d a t . i e vi n f a r t not r . . i t tt d t tM s Lil ha . rkous e a ne t s e t he i ve y gr phi t r s Addii l s ve a xpl i d he c ne o r n r a c e m . tonaly, e r l em pl s i or ed M s M ic l ofa s cii c oyee nf m . t he l pe t c onve s ton c e ni M r Prcet tM s r a i onc r ng . i ha . Li nkousha w ih a c t eri t l bby oft ba The c t e ,a f i nd ofM s Li d t us om n he o he nk. us om r r e . nkous , ' as d he w he s w oul ne s e M r Prce M s Li ke r n he d xt e . i . . nkous r s e ponde t ts w o d pr bl d ha he ul oba y s e hi t f l w i w e whe s w e t f e t c tofa f i nd w ho lve nea by. I t e m he olo ng ek n he nt o e d he a re i d r n he pr e oft c t e a he s es nce he us om r nd r ubor na e e pl e ,M s Li di t m oye s . nkouss a e t tw he s s w t t d ha n he a M r Prc s S dwea g r ni g . ie he i woul r heq ghtown,a i won'bemyfa one. ( nkousDe nd t t lnnel ' Li ' p. 76: 1 1 ) M s Li 1 - 7. . nkousa knowldg maki t sc c e es ng hi omme .St l onec endst tasa nt elar ont ha, r s toft i or a i unc r d durng M s M ic ls i s i a i n, M s M ic l a M s e ul he nf m ton ove e i . t hel' nve tg to 1 . t he l nd . Cam e lmadet de ii t r c me t M s Li l l he c son o e om nd hat . nkousbet r i t d. The t t t r e m na e wo ook hei r co m e t o t M i hae K a t uli a e de i i m a ri t m a t r A fe r e i e m nda i n o c l ne, he tm t c s on- ke n he te . t r evi w ng t i si to r s t,M r Ka a ce t d t tr i ton r c he nve tgai n e uls . ne c p e he e m na i e omm e ton.M r Ka sa e nda i . ne t t d t tt de i ng f c orw a t i ppr pr a e ni t ha he c di a t s he na o i t gh gown c m en t tM s Li om t ha . nkousm a i de n f ontofc t e s a co- or r . A lhough St la o ne ha a e pl r us om r nd w ke s t e lr s n m oyee di c plna y polc si i r iy w hi h pr de t tm os fr ttm e pr e s s d be ha e t oug w a ni and/ c ovi s ha t i s- i obl m houl ndl d hr h r ngs or a tona tai ng, he polc c e pl t s i m e a e t r i ton when ç he e pl e ha do ddii l r ni t i y ont m a e m di t e m na i i m oye s ne t s t ngs e e o t ti dit dimis li a op it.'t nnelDe Ex.4. M r omehi o grgius ha mme ae s s a s ppr rae' ca l p, ) . K a hass a e t the f l t c m e w a r nt d i m e a e di m i s . ne t t d ha e t he om nt r a e m di t s s al Th plitf tk sis ewihted fn a tsc a a trz to o h r o p ro n e e anif a e su t h ee d n ' h r ce iain f e j b ef nna c , Fis ,s poi st t postve pe f m a e r vi w s s r ce ved f rt yea s2009 a 201 r t he nt o he ii r or nc e e he e i o he r nd 0, t s ond ofw hi h w a s gne by M i ha K a onl tve m ont be or t t r i to The he ec c si d c el ne y i hs f e he e m na i n. 2010 r ew r uled i an over lr i of'm eet expect i ' The revi s eval e evi es t n al atng t s atons.' ew uat e pl yeeson fve s ii pe f m a e goal :Busne sD e l e ,Sa e Pr s , m o i pec t c r or nc s i s ve opm nt l s oce s Ope a i ,Cor V al s a Lea r hi M a em e . M s Li usr ce ve i xce ds r tons e ue , nd de s p/ nag nt . nko e i d s e e expe t tons ' c e i t Cor V a uesa Le de s p/ a ge en c t gor e . The r uls c a i ' s or s n he e l nd a r hi M na m t a e i s es t s to f t s c t gor e i l ec i ns or he e a e i s nc uded co m e s s h as' v nor hasbe buidi ...t m nt uc çe e l en l ng he Bl c bur Tea . She i t f ce ofSt la one i Bl c bur a i hi hl r pe t d, a a ks g m s he a el r n a ks g nd s g y es c e ' nd ' dle e c pl esal as i e t i a tm el m a r She l dsby e m pl e r y. sa nor om et 1 sgnm n s n i y nne . ea xa e ve yda ' ' lI a to t t comm e , e pl sr pore ot rc er a tM s Li n ddiin o he nt m oyee e td he onc ns bou . nkoust M s M iche l Fore m pl , o . t l. xa e anum be ofe pl esr poredt tM s Li r m oye e t ha . nkousr aryhad lngt peronalc r ai wihcuso er. egul l e hy s onve s tons t t m s Addii ly,M ela W rghtr t t tM s Li tonal i i epored ha . nkousi t afi t c ti he ofi fo 5: p. . i 6: nvied rend o ha n r fce r m 00 m untl 00 p. .e r o herFrday,e t m ve y t i ven hough t drve-hr t l rwi he i t u ele ndow r m a ne ope durng t ttme. Ce t n e i d n i ha i rai e plye sas r pore t tt yw eehestntt c et M s Li uswih wor quesi bec us ofhe m o e lo e td ha he r ia o om o . nko t k tons a e r pr nst t i ta epe s na di c s ons Fi l one e pl e r po e t tM s Li ope iy o nii t r o l s us i . naly, m oye e rtd ha . nkouswase c td ompa tm e ny i b drvi ar y i ng ound am l sy whies w a s i es l l he s uppos d t beviii busne s si t c muniybuidi e o stng i s e n he om t l ng r l tons ps e a i hi . ( ke No.29- a 7. The2009rvi eane M s Li usa t xc e e ttons' r l Doc t 3, t ) e ew r d . nko n s e ds xpecai 'oveal e r tng,rfeci s hpostvefe c asite e lvesu t dei rngt fnets r i i ai el tng uc ii e dba k d ynor) i p o lvei he i s e vce n r Blc bur ' a notnghe S ii lade s p'i hepi t r l t a t rbr nc whie a ks g,' nd i r k tve e rhi 'n l ng o eocae no he a h l pos s ilm a ng N o t M a n. tl nagi rh i Ne twhi a k o e i gta ten g t o c mme td mo srtdt o j d me t' x, l c n wldgn h t h ih g wn o n e n tae s r u g n , e po ' s ee pan i a ah r e s o tl a n g d fin s Ad iin ly M s Lik u a s rs h x lis t s a mls j ke od mo g oo re d . dto al, . n o s se t t tM s M ic l' r por gr a l e ha . t he l s e t e ty xagg r t t a ountoftm e t twas s nto pe s e a es he m i ha pe n r onal m a tr . Sheha s m it d a fda t ofpr vi St lr e oye who ha atese t te s s ub te fi vis e ous ela one mpl es ve t t d o M s Li . nkous pr e i r nni t br nc For e c l agu J e Gr y a Chrs i ' ofci ncy n u ng he a h. m r ole es oyc a nd i tne Le i t tfe t tM s Li w s esi i d ha . nkous pe f m ed t pos ton ofbr nc m a r or he ii a h nage a ia y,a r dm r bl nd M oly Pr e ,w ho t overt br nc m a ge poston a Fi s M ai f l ng M s Li l at r ook he a h na r ii t r t n olowi . nkous ' t nui to ha s a ed t tt br nc wa i gr ts pe w he s s a t d a t tt s a fw a e na i n, s t t ha he a h s n ea ha n he t r e nd ha he t f s s t tM s Li kousha bee tr ad ha . n d n i ed. M s Li . nkousa s poi s t c m e s m ad by a pr vi CEO ofSt la o ne w hi h s l o nt o om nt e e ous e l r , c he cont nds e nc a de ie t r pl e ol l e pl ee wih you rwor r . Chr s i Le s a e vi e s r o e ac de ' m oy s t nge ke s i tne wi , f m e St la o ne e pl ,t tfe t BilH e t t Cha nna oft Boa d oft c pa or r e l r m oyee es ii d hat l a h, he i n he r he om ny att tm e sa e i am e tng s m ei pro t J nua y2011hi b i t tt ba ne dedt he i , t t d n e i o tme i r o a r s elef ha he nk e o fnd s e younge a m or a tac i f rt of i e' f ontd k poston. Ri ki Philps i om one r nd e tr tve o he fc s r es ii c e li , a he f m e e pl ye s a e t the ove hea d M r H e t s t the w o d lke t puta not r or r m o e, t t d ha r r . a h ay ha ul i o youngerf on St l o ne. Thi com m entoccur ed s etm e bef e M ay 2008. ace elar s r om i or Fi l M s.Li naly, nkousnot t M s.M ichel conduct i tgatonsofatl tf es hat t l ed nves i i eas our St l one Fi elar nanci Cent M anager i 20l1,a1 ofw hi ended i a r al er sn 1 ch n ecom m endaton of i 4 t nni ton. M s Li e na i . nkous obs ve t tt f t r i t d m a er s ha he our e m na e nage sw e e a love t a of r r l r he ge f t ory. ll. Di scusson i A. St andard ofR e ew vi A mo igp ryi e t ldt s mmayj g n Cftemo a ts o t a t r i n vn a t s n i e o u r ud me tt h v n h ws h thee s o t i g n i ed s u ea t a ymaeilfc a t emo a ti e tt dt j d me t samatro e u n ip t s o n tra a t nd h v n s nil o u g n a e te f lw. Fe . Ci P. 6 a .A g n ieis ee ss'f h e d n ei s hta ara o bej r a ' d R. v. 5 () e un su xit ç t e vie c s uc h t e s na l u y ' i c d r t n a ve di tf t nonm ovi pa t ' Ande s v. be t Lobbv,l ,477 U . 242, oul e ur r c or he ng ry. ' r on Li rv nc. S. 248( 98 .l e l tngwhehe age neis exit,c t mus c tu alf csa 1 6) n vauai t r nui sue ss ours t onsr e l a t nd r easonabl i er e nf ences i t lghtm os f abl t t nonm ovant N our s Rug Corp.v. n he i t avor e o he . i on Pavi a 535F, 295 299( hCi. 08 . r zin, 3d , 4t r20 ) B. A nal i ys s To e t bls a c ai f ag di c i i ton u rt A DEA ,a pl i t f m us pr by a s a ih l m or e s rm na i nde he a n i f t ove pr ponde a oft e de e t ta (wast t t f 'c us oft c le e r nce he vi nc ha ge ' he bu - or a e he ha l nged a r e dve s e oyme taci ' Gr sv.FBL Fi i Se vies l ,55 U. 1 1 ( )( di mpl n ton. os ' nancal r c ,nc. 7 S. 67, 80 2009 hol ng t tami d- i i tu toni ne ra opraei a ADEA c e)2 The eaet wa a ha xe motve nsr ci s ve ppr it n n as . r r wo ys pl i ifm a pr ve a c a m f a di c i i ton unde t A D EA . Fi s ,a pl i ifm ay a ntf y o l i or ge s r m na i r he rt a ntf de ons r t i hr h di e torcic santale de e t .. age di c i i ton m o i t d t m t a e û oug r c t r um t i vi nc hat . s rm na i tva e he e pl r s a r e e pl ym e dec s on. H ilv.Loc ed M a tn LoaitcsM gm tsl ,354 m oye ' dve s m o nt i i ' l ' khe ri si . nc. F. 277,284(t Ci. 04)( ba ) ù- s ondmehodofa ri s 3d 4h r 20 en nc .dl ec -he t ve tng umma yj r udgme i nt s t pr e undera S e e 'fa e or underwhi h t e pl e,a t r e t bls ng a prm a o oce d pr t xt r m w k, c he m oye fe s a i hi i 2Eve beor t Supr Cour' de son i Gr s t Fourh Cicui ha r cogni d t t i t c e ofan n f e he eme ts cii n os , he t r t de ze ha, n he ontxt ADEA ca e çm oi t 'mea t -or'c us ton.Se H ilv. s ,t tvaed' nt ç f ' a a i but e l Lockhe d M a tnLocitcsM a t.nc.35 F. e ri si m . , 4 3d l 27 ,28 (t Ci. 0 4 (nb nc (E e muth v a tal pa e ar ei tee ly rsd cso ma ig 7 6 4h r2 0 ) e a ) <Ag ) s a e cu l ly d ol n h mpo e' e iin kn ç y prc s a dh dad tr n t eifu n eo teo to .)(u t gRe v sv S n esnPlmbn Prd .Ic, o e s n a eemiai nle c n h uc me' q oi e e . a d ro u ig o s.n . v ' n 5 0U. 1 3,l ( 0 0 3 S. 3 4l 2 0 :. f ce c eofdi c i nai n,de a i as s rmi to monsr t st tt e oye ' pr f r d pe s i er s n f r ta e ha he mpl rs ofe e nuisbl ea o o t ki a ad r e e pl m e a ton i a t ly a pr e f r di c i i ton. 1 Thi i t a ng n ve s m oy nt c i s c ua l et xt o s rm na i ' d. s s he ' f m ii rM c a la Donnel D ougl bur n- hi tng a oa h es a i he f Til V l e pl e l as de s f i ppr c t bls d or te I m oym nt l as dici nai c es3 M c onnel Dougl Corp v.Gre 411U. 79 ( 973) W ihnodie t s rmi ton as , D e n, S. 2 1 . t rc . e denc ofage di c i i i i t s c s ,t pl i ifi pr e ng unde t bur n- hi tng vi e s rm naton n hi a e he a ntf s oc edi r he de s fi a oa h. ppr c U nde t M c onne lD o a f n ewor t pl i ifm us tr te t bls a prm a f c e r he D l ugl s r m k, he a ntf t i s sa ih i ai c s o a eds rmiain.Tod s , s Li k u mus s o t a $ 1 (lei ame e o t a e f g ici n to o o M . n o s t h w h tt ) sh s mb r f he ( p oe tdca s ( )gl ewa q aiidf rtej ba dme ( tlaones lgtmae r tce ls; 2 sh s u lfe o h o n t S elr 'q e ii t e ttons ( gl wa dic r ddes t g r quaiiainsa pe fr nc a ( xpecai ; 3) she s s hage pie hel ltc to nd roma e; nd 4) f lwi g jdic r rl wasrplc dbyas tntal yo ri vi wih olo ng her s hage, she e ae ubsa ily unge ndi dual t compaabl q lfc tons, W a c v.Ohi Ca .ns. ,435F. 51 51 ( h Ci.2006) r e uaiiai ' z h ' o s l Co. 3d 0, 3 4t r (ii O' nno v.Cons i tdCoi CaeesCo .51 U. 308,312- ( 996 ;Ca e v. ctng Co r oldae n trr m , 7 S. 13 1 ) us y Baog,1 F. 795,802& n. ( hCi.1 ).I t pli ife t ihe aprmaf i ca eof l 62 3d 3 4t r 998) f he antf sabls s i ace s a di c i i ton, he buz n s f st t e pl rt of e a l ii a e, ndi c i i t y ge s r m na i t de hi t o he m oye o f r eg tm t no s rm na or r a on f t t r i ton. H il 35 F. a 285. The ea t , he bur n s fsba k t t e s or he e m na i l, 4 3d t r fer t de hi t c o he pli ift pr t tt e o r ssa e r as ç r notistuer as , we e apr t xt antf o ove ha he mpl ye ' t t d e ons ' e we t r e ons but r ee f dic i nai ' I ( i Ree sv.Sandes n Pl ncPr .I ,53 U. 1 1 or srmi ton.' d.quotng ve ro umbi ods, nc. 0 S. 33, 43 ( 00) Att tpoi ,t pli ifsbu d n t esa ihpr e d r swiht uli t 20 ). ha nt he antf r e o tbls etxt t ge t he tmae me bur nofpe s i t c r t rhepli if ha be nt vitm ofi e i l de ruadng he ou that t antfj s e he ci ntntona dic i nai ' Te De tofCmt Afar v.Bur ne 450U. 248 25 ( 981 .W her a srmi ton. xas p' ' y. fis di , S. , 6 1 ) e 3Alhough t Supr Cour ha n de i tv y hel t t M c t he eme t s ot fnii el d hat he Donne lD ou/l f a e o k apples i t l as r m w r i n he ADEA con ex , he Fourh Cicui,aswel asot rco t,ha r i y a i d M c t tt t r t l he ur s ve outnel pple Donnel Dougl st ADEA l a o cams S e eg, b rv Ha v y 4 F.d4 4 4 0 ( t Ci. 0 ) Ye c ikv. i ea 6 5 F3d6 2 6 2( t l i . e . ..La e . r e , 38 3 0 , 3 4h r 20 6 ) s h c M n t , 7 . 2 , 3 6h Ci. 01 ) r2 2 . 6 plitf h ss c e d di e tb ihighe p i fcec s ,l efd-i e' rjcino t an if a u c e e n sa ls n r rma a i a e ih a fnd rs ee to f he t l gii a e nondi c i i t y r s pr f r d by t de e nt c e tm t , s r m na or ea on of e e he f nda , oupl d w ih t el m en s of e t he e t t prm a f i c s ,m a pe m i t f tfnd t i e t uli a e f tofi di he i ac e a e y r t he ac - i er o nf r he tm t ac nvi ous di c i i ton w ih no addii nalpr ofdi c i i ton. J m i z v. a y W as Col . 57 F. s rm na i t to oof s rm na i ' i ne M r ' h. l, 3d369,378( h Ci.1 . 4t r 995) i . Pri a faci case m e St la one a guest tM s Li el r r ha . nkousca nnotesa i h a prm a f ci ca e ofa t bls i a e s ge d srmi ai nbe a s s ewa n t ei islgt t j be p cain a t et o h r ici n to c u e h s o me t t e ii e o x e tto s t h i f e ng ma me A ugus 2011 t r i ton. T o e t bls a p i a f i ca e M s Li ko m us s w s û as t e m na i 4 s a ih r m ac e s , . n us t ho he i w d i gg e) o wel n u ht r l o th po sb lyt a (l ewa frdf ri a e u t j b o n h r j b l e o g o ue u te siii h t sh s ie o n d q ae o t pe f m a e,a ol e o r l i ' W a c 435 F. a 51 r or nc bs ut r e atve.' r h, 3d t 5. St l r ela one a g s t tt i o m a i n g t r d dur ng M s M ic l' A ugus 201l r ue ha he nf r to a he e i . t he l s t i ve tga i esabls t tM s Li n s i ton t i hes ha . nkousw a notm ee i is e s tng t xpec a i f r a br nc t tons o a h m a ge . The c pa f us s on M s Li us ni go n c m e and r por sf om f lo na r om ny oc e . nko ' ght w om nt e t r el w Fis M ane ly e r g r i ghe j bp ro ma c .Selr en tst a M s Lito h s rt i mp o e s e ad n r o ef r n e tlaon o e h t . r us a k a k o e e t a t ec mme te hb tdt o r u g n'o h rpat M r Ka eh stsiid c n wldg d h t h o n x iie t o j d me t' n e r. . n a e tfe p t tt c m e a one w ass fc e ca e t t r i t he e pl e . Spe i i aly,M r ha he om nt l ufi i nt us o e m na e r m oym nt c fc l . K a t s ii d t tt c m e w a Sm a e a e be vi ' t tw a d ne e tf e ha he om nt s d cc pt bl ha or' ha s ç com i a l unbe ng nybo i dy n t fna ilc ntri t publc.'( he i nca e e n he i ' KaneDe l 1 1 1 1 1 ) M s Cn ltsii dt t p. 3:2- 3, 7: 6- 7. . nnel e tte ha s be i ved t r i ton w a a pr pr a e ba e on t c m bi ton oft ç om pl i t , he le e m na i s p o it s d he o na i he d c ans i ppr it j na oprae udgme bengusdma ngco nt ofamoet npe s lnaur t nt i e ki mme s r ha rona t e o 4St lar doesnotcont s t tM s Li e l one e t ha . nkousw a overt ageof40,ha s w a tr i e ort ts was s he t t he s e m natd, ha he r pl ed by M oly Pr e , e ac l at r who was48 a t tm e a qua ii sasa s t ntaly younge i vi . t he i nd lfe ubs a i l r ndi dual e o e si t eba h t mo aeis e i t eb a c a t elc o d i he j bt th d mply e n h rnc ,he rl su s n h rn h, nd h a k f ong r o ha a be nbr e oughtup. t l l De 3124- 6. Selr c endst tt tsi ' camel p. : 32: ) tlaone ont ' ha he etmonyofM r . Ka a M s Ca nele tbls st tt pl ntf wa no meei he l ii t j ne nd . n l sa ihe ha he ai if s t tng r egtmae ob e c ai asde e mi d by t i vi al who madet dec son t tnui t he . xpe t tons t r ne he ndi du s he ii o e na e r M coni htv. dce r s Heat Gr l c Ri c e t lh oup.LLC,Ca eNo. 11 v00032,201 W L 1 s 2: c 3 73005, t*5 a ( . Va. a 1 201 ( di t tthekeyi r i whehe ,n t e soft decsonW D. J n. 6, 3) hol ng ha t t nquiy s t r i he ye he ii ma r whotr nae he ,(hee o lwa pef mi i lnewih ghee oye 'l ke s emi td r t mplyee s ror ng n i t t mpl rs ras ee cains'. e onabl xpe tto ' ) The c tdi ag e . A lhough t e de pr s nt s e ha ofa c os ca e t c t our s r es t he vi nce e e s om w t l e s , he our i una e t conc ud t tM s Li s bl o l e ha . nkous ha no esa i he he prm a f ci ca e. M s Li s t t bls d r i a e s . nkous r ce ved e i e y postve pe f r a e r vi w s f rt t o ye r i m e a el prort he e i ntr l ii r o m nc e e o he w a s m di t y i o r t r i i H e m os r c ntr vi w a s g d by M r K a onl fve m o hs be or s w a e m naton. r t e e e ew s i ne . ne y i nt f e he s tr d. Pr ort M e i W r gh ' c pl nt M s Li ie i o la i t s om ai , . nkousha w or d f t c pa oris d ke or he om ny t pr dec s rf ove adec dewihou asngl f ma gre ncetl a i the . Ad tonal e es o or r a t t i e or l i va ied ga ns r dii ly, t ma he nage whor pl e M s Li r e ac d . nkousa No t M an ha t tte t tt br nc wasi t rh i s esi d ha he a h l n e le s pe w he s t ove a t tM s Li xce l nt ha n he ook r nd ha . nkousw a e i nty q lte t c i s m ne l ua ii d o ontnue r ng t br nc A lhoug o ni ofc wor r a e nota pe tne t t ana ys sa t unni he a h. t h pi ons o- ke s r s ri nt o he l i s he e ly rso u me t seDe a tev. r i snc,1 3F.d2 3 2 9( t Ci.1 9 ) mp o e ' wnj dg n , e l met Co nng l . 3 3 9 , 9 4h r 9 8 , St la one ha l r l r i on t ne tve opi onsofot rc w o ke s i a gui t tM s e lr s a ge y eled he ga i ni he o- r r n r ng ha . Lik u wa n t ei h rlgtmaej b e p cain .l d e ai efo t ng t o n o s s o me tng e e ii t o x e tto s n e d, sd r m he ih g wn c m e ,a 1ofSt la o ne' e de ofM s Li om nt 1 e lr s vi nce . nkous poorpe f m anc c e f om nega i ' r or e om s r tve cr tquesoff ed by N ort M ai em pl ii er h n oyees. 8 A s t Fourh Cicui ha e a ne when ' he e de c e t a cl e c l..., e m us he t r t s xpl i d, t vi nce r a es os al t w t r m e bert t the bu de ofe t bls ng a prm a f c e c e ofdi pa a e te m e i not e m ha t r n s a ihi i a i as s r t r at nt s one ous''Eva v.Tec .Applc tons& Sev.Co.80F. 954,960( hCi.1 ( i r .' ns hs iai r , 3d 4t r 996) quotng Te De tofCmt Afar v. di ,450U. 248, 3( 981) Thec ti t ta t xas p' v. fis Bur ne S. 25 1 ). our fnds ha, t he ve y l as ,t r i a ques i off c ast w he he M s Li usw a m e tng here pl r s r e t he e s ton a t o t r . nko s ei m oye ' l gii a e e c a i . H a ng s ts i d t s i e a i y m ode t' de M s Li e tm t xpe t tons vi a i fe hi k l tvel r s ' bur n, . nkoushas es a ihed a prm a f ci ca e ofa di c i i ton.W e l y v.Ar i on Co t 354 Fed. t bls i a e s ge s r m na i se lngt un v, App' 775, ( h Ci.2009)(npubls d)( i Br ntv.Ai nReg'M e Cts,I . x 778 4t r u ihe quotng va ke l d. r. nc, 333F. 536,5 ( h Ci.2003)(ntr quoai a cttonsomitdl. 3d 45 4t r i enal ttons nd iai te ) l. 1 Pretext H a ng c l d t tt pl i ifha e t bls a prm a f c e c e ofa vi onc ude ha he a ntf s s a i hed i a i as ge di crm i ton,t bur s fst St la one t putf t a l gii a e, s i na i he den hit o e l r o orh e tm t non- s rm i t y di c i na or r s n f M s Li us t r i t o St l r ea o or . nko ' e m na i n. ela one' pos ton on t s poi l r l t a ksis s ii hi nt a ge y r c t a g e a t w hy M s Li r um nt s o . nkoushasf ie t es a i h he prm a f ci ca e; ha i ,i a g t t a l d o t bls r i a e s t t s t r ues ha t de s on t f r M s Li he ci i o i e . nkousw ast r ul oft i or a i unc r durng M s he es t he nf m ton ove ed i . M ichel' i s i ton oft N o t M a n br nc i pa tc a t i ppr pra e ni ht w n t ls nve tga i he r h i a h, n ri ul r he na o i t g go c m e m ade by M s Li om nt . nkous M r K a s a e t tt c m e û r t a unc f t bl . . ne t t d ha he om nt d ea ed n om or a e c e r nti t tna ilc ntr'a t ti C st ras g s Li nvionme n he i nca e e,' nd ha t t he e on M . nkous wa ltg ' wa ) s e o. ' ( neDe 18:- ) Ms. nkousmaysila ds Ka p. 16. Li tl voi umma yj me i s c n s t t r udg nt f he a how ha St l elarone' assert r s ed easons f t t m i i w er m erel pr extf dicrm i i or he er naton e y et or s i naton. A pli ifmays prtxtbyet r ()pes di t c tha adici naor antf how ee ihe : 1 rua ng he our t t srmi t y ras mor lkel motvae t e oye,or( s ngt tt e oyerspr fr d e on e i y i td he mpl r 2) howi ha he mpl ' ofe e expl i i unw ort ofcr anaton s hy edence. Reeves,530 U . at147.tl approprat cicum s ances, S. tn ie r t t ti roff c c n r a ona y i e f om t f l iy oft e a ton t tt e pl r i he r e a t a e s bl nf r r he a st he xpl na i ha he m oye s di s m blng t c r u a di c i i t r pur e. 1 The c t le st tti bl i s s of s e i o ove p s rm na o y pos ' d. ' our be i ve ha ra e s ue fc un eletev rct o Selr estn e e j siiainf rM s Liko s tr nai n a t d ri h ea i f tl on ' e d r d u tfc to o . n u ' emi to , y a a d tus wh te i j tfc to i p ee t o d srmiao ya i . n ,h , eh r t usiiain s rtx f r ici n tr nmus s Fi s , he hi hl pos tvepe f m a r vi ws M s Li rtt g y ii r or nce e e . nkousr e ve s r l be o e he ec i d ho ty f r r tr nai c taras edoubton St lr spr f rdj tfc ton.Thi i patc a l emi ton as e onabl ela one' ofee usiiai s s riulry s w he one c i r t tM s Li ko r e ved he m os pos tve m a ksi t o n ons de s ha . n us ec i r t ii r n he Le der hi M a em e a Cor V a uesca eg i s The e a ea oft r vi w s c e n t a s p/ nag nt nd e l t or e . s r s he e e onc r he s m e t ofbe o f whi h s wasc ii i d i M s M ic l ' r por a uli a el fr d, a ype havi r or c he r tc ze n . t he ls e t nd tm t y ie e g. t am buidi l di by e m pl ,a be ng a r s t f c i t com m uniy. The f c . ,e l ng, ea ng xa e nd i e pec ed a e n he t at t a j s fv mo t b f r h rtr n to Ms Lik u rc i e d x e d e p cain ' h t u t ie nhs eo e e emiai n . n o s e ev d s c e s x e tto s' e r vi w s on t s m e be vi a a l de s p qua ii st ts a ast pr f r r a on f rhe e e he a ha or l nd ea r hi lt e ha t nd he of e ed e s o r tr n to c nr a o a l b itr r td a a i dc to t tStl r esj siiaina o ea emiain a e s n by e nep ee s n n iain ha el on ' u tfc to r s s a a pr t xtf is de ie t r pl e M s Li kousw ih a yo e e or t s r o e ac . n t unge m a ge , r na r Stlaonesj tfc toni c s i of t rdoub whe oneco i r t compa s elr ' usiiai s a tnt urhe t n nsdes he ny' Coreci Aci Polc whi pr de t tm os frttm edicplna ypr e sbeha e r tve ton iy, ch ovi s ha t is-i s i i r obl m ndld t oug a w a ni a / a tonal r i ng. A f tfnde c d r as bl be s pi i usof hr h r ng nd or ddii t a ni ac i r oul e ona y us c o St l r ela one' r us t of e coa hi oraddii naltai ng t a em pl s ef al o f r c ng to r ni o n oyee w ho w a untl s i r e l s hi y r r d, r i ul ry i t a ea ofhe pos ton now bei ca l d i o ec nty o ghl ega de pa tc a l n he r s r ii ng le nt quesi A lhough a co tdoe no e l t t w i dom oft e pl r s de i i i m us ton. t ur s t va ua e he s he m oye ' c son, t t iq ieit wh t e ar a o bej r c udfn t th sae j si c to i fle S e n ur n o eh r e s na l u y o l id ha te ttd u tt ain s as . e i Del net,1 F. a 299(s he a e oye gi algii t no dic i naor r s n ar te 33 3d t CW n n mpl r ves e tmae, n- srmi t y ea o f an em pl entacton,...i i nott pr nce oft Courtt deci w het t reason or oym i ts he ovi he o de her he 10 w a wi e,f i , e n c r t uli a e y,s l asi t l w a t r s n f t e pl ent s s a r or ve or ec , tm t l o ong t nly s he ea o or he m oym a ton.)(iai a quottonsmaksomit .Thi e de pr e sar s bl ba i ci ' ctton nd ' ai r ted) s vi nce esnt ea ona e ss u o whiht efc fn e c udrj c S elr e sp o fr dj si c to , n , o ie igta p n c h a t id r o l ee t tl on ' r fee u tt ain a d c nsd rn h t a i rj cini tn e wiht plitf sp i f cec s ,n e t ep e e c o u lwf la e ee to n a d m t he an if rma a i a e ifr h r sn e f n a u g di c i i to Sçe J m e 57 F.3 a 378.The co twilt r f e deny t def nda ' s r m na i n. i nez d t ur l he e or he e nt s 5 moi f s ton or ummar udgme . yj nt 11 1. C oncl on usi Fo t r s sa e a r he ea ons t t d bove t c t ilde t de e n ' m oton f s m a y , he our w l ny he f nda t s i or um r j me .TheClr i die tdt sndc riidc esoft sme r ndum opi ona t udg nt ek s rce o e e tfe opi hi mo a ni nd he a om pa ng or rt a lc cc nyi de o l ouns ofr co d. el e r EN TER : Thi s day ofJune,2013. Chi U nie St t s Di t i tJ e ef t d a e s rc udg 5Alhough nota pe s i , t ec u t lo n tst a d t n l ic so e i e ea v n e b t pli tf: 1 t e t s r uasve h o r a s oe wo d ii a p e e f v d nc d a c d y he an if ( ) h o a erltdc mme t o Bi He t,o e Ch ima o t Bo r o Stl r e a d()tefc ta a1o ro g -eae o ns f l ah fnn r ar n fhe ad f el on ; n 2 h a th t lfu f l a M s M ic ls2011i tgai 1d t t frngofe plye ove t a off t W hiet sevi ncew oul . thel' nvesi tons e o he ii m o es r he ge ory. l hi de d lkeybei ufk into isownt c e t a i e e eofdic i i to w he c i r i lghtoft e de e i l ns f e n t o r ae n nfr nc s rm nain, n onsdeed n i he vi nc dic se a o e ifrh rco d tea te tct o Selr essae j tfc t nfrtetr n to . su s d b v ,t ute lu s h uh niiy f tl on ' ttd usiiai o h emiain a o 11

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