Gnutek v. IL Gaming Bd., No. 11-1926 (7th Cir. 2013)
Annotate this CaseHobgood was the subject of repeated, intensive investigations that resulted in disciplinary proceedings and termination of his employment with the Illinois Gaming Board, though another state agency ultimately ordered that he be reinstated. Hobgood contends he was targeted because he helped a fellow Board employee with suits against the Gaming Board under Title VII and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations. Hobgood sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-3(a), and the First Amendment. The district court granted the defendants summary judgment, reasoning that Hobgood was fired, not because he had assisted his friend, but because the “nature” of that assistance involved providing confidential information. The Seventh Circuit reversed, noting genuine issues of fact concerning the defendants’ motives for investigating, disciplining, and terminating Hobgood, who presented a “convincing mosaic” to show that his employer acted for unlawful reasons. When the evidence is viewed as a whole, a jury could reasonably infer that the Board investigated and fired him because he assisted in lawsuits against the Board.
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