Lima v. University Of Miami, No. 1:2014cv22712 - Document 60 (S.D. Fla. 2015)
Court Description: OPINION AND AMENDED ORDER granting 43 Motion for Summary Judgment. Closing Case. Motions Terminated: 43 MOTION for Summary Judgment filed by University Of Miami. Signed by Judge Patricia A. Seitz on 7/21/2015. (yha) NOTICE: If there are sealed documents in this case, they may be unsealed after 1 year or as directed by Court Order, unless they have been designated to be permanently sealed. See Local Rule 5.4 and Administrative Order 2014-69. Modified text and document type on 7/21/2015 (yha).
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Lima v. University Of Miami Doc. 60 U NI TED STATES D ISTRI C OURT CT SOUTHERN D I STRI OF FLORI A CT D Cas No.1 cv- 2- TZ/ e 4- 2271 SEI TURNOFF EM M A LI A , M Pl i if a ntf, U NI VERSI OF M I I TY AM , Def ndant e . / AMENDED O RDE G RANTI SUM MARYJ R NG UDGMENTI Thi m at ri be or t Cour o De e ntUni e st ofM i m i ' ' ' s te s f e he t n fnda v r iy a (' ' s UM ) mot f s i or umma yj me .( 4 J antf EmmaLi a g st t on r udg nt DE-3.Pli if ma r ue ha UM t m i ed herem pl e bec eherdie s er nat oym nt aus r ct uper s w asbi ed aga ns w om en vior as i t and bec e s c pl i aboutt i s w ihi UM . ven t r or e denc aus he om a ned he s ue t n Gi he ec d vi e, Li a c m ots m al how t U M ' s at d r on f t m i i her- herf l e t c pl e hat s t e eas or er natng aiur o om et herbac orsdegr w ihi sx m ont ofhi e a c hel ' ee t n i hs r , ondii s ii i herofer ton pecfed n f l t w asa pr e . eteret xt Thus herdi c i i i a r alaton cai sbot f l , s rm naton nd et i i l m h ai. Ther or Def ndantsm oton w ilbe gr ed. ef e, e ' i l ant A .FACTUAL BACKGROUNDZ l Nove r20 2 UM po t d aj b ope ng f aS ni F na i l l t n mbe 1 , se o ni or e or i nca Anays po iin r quii aBa heorsde e a a la tt ye r ofwo k e pe inc .( sto e rng c l ' gr e nd t e s wo a s r x re e DE4 - a 21 m aa id. ha m o et n tn ye r o e pe inc i fna i l nays 32 t .Li pple She d r ha e a s f x re e n i nca a l t posto a ha mao e i fna ea Fl rdaI e nai na Uni r iy ('1 ',b iins nd d j r d n i nc t o i nt r to l ve st ' U' ut F ) 1 2 Thi Or ra e t Or rGr ntng M o i n ForSum ma yJ m e ( 5 1 s de m nds he de a i to r udg nt DE- 9 . Be a eDe e nti mo ng f s c us f nda s vi or umma yj r udgme ,a1r a ona ef c l nt l e s bl a ma i er nc w ih e dentar s nf e es t vi i y uppor i t r or ar dr n i Pl ntf' f t n he ec d e aw n ai ifs avor. Dockets.Justia.com s ha ne rfnihe he de e be a es ne de t r -a e t ca s s3( m a he d ve i s d r gr e c us he e d o e t k wo l s e . Li De ( 4 - 1 -1 ,2 -2 ,2 - 1) p. DE-3 31 1 3 0 3 7 3 . Ar ound AprlorM ay 2013 Li a w asi er e ed t e tm es. r t s m et i , m nt vi w hr e i Fis , he w ih Sur s Kum ar a s ni fnanc m a t eh , e or i e nager and Giete Onar o,a s orfnancal , s t ot eni i i anal t Sec ys . ond,s m etw ih Syl n Fos er t ExecutveD iec orofFi he t vai t , he i r t nanc a e nd Kum a ' s r s r Thid, hem e w ih Kum a a Fo t r ( maDe 3 - 9.Fo t r rs upe vio . r s t t r nd se . Li p. 4 3 ) se ha uli a ehii a hort ( ose De ( 43 8 22 3) d tm t rng ut iy. F t r p. DE- - 1 -2 . Abo awe k a t rt t r i e viw, ut e fe he hid nt r e Kuma c le he wih t j b o f ra r a ld r t he o fe nd de c i d t tr s i l ng ' hec to t tt y wa e ( r t fnih ( r s rbe he e m ,ncudi ' ondiin ha he nt d he l o i s he l t de e wihi sxm ont . ( maDe 4 2 -2 )Li a c pt d t ofe a t gr e t n i hs' Li ' p. 4:1 2. ma c e e he f r nd he c ndiin,t nki s c d fnih he de r ei t f l. I . 6 4 )Li a sofe lte , o to hi ng he oul i s r g e n he al (d 4 - 7. m ' f r e tr sgned by Seni Rec uierRonal Loui dhon,s at t s w as' equied t fni h i or r t d s t ed hat he ' r r o i s ( r Ba heor de e wihi 6mont 'a t taf iur t do s wo d be' ounds he l c l s gr e t n hs' nd ha al e o o ul ' gr f tr i ton o ( r e oy e . ( 43 5a 11 or e m na i f he l mpl m nt' DE- - t . ' Li abe n w o ki i UM ' F na e Ac o i De rm e (he m ga r ng n s i nc / c untng pa t nt t ' pa t e ' onJ y 1 S wor d co ey wih GieteOna ot a Ne t r ' rm nt) ul 5. he ke l s l t s t De ' r o nd so Gia del,aj orfna ila l t Li a Gia de l r po t d die ty t S e h r r lo uni i nca nays. ma nd r r lo e re r cl o ur s Kum ar w her Onar o r por ed t H ar y Gol zm i . os oft Depar m e , eas ot e t o r ds dt M t he t nt wor e i t s m ebuidi a Li i e a td dal wih m os oft m . ( m aDe k d n he a l np nd ma ntr c e iy t t he 4 Li p. 5 - 1 7 - 4.Ot rt n Li a e r fna i l nays i t De rm e ha a 8 . , 2 7 ) he ha m , ve y i nca a l t n he pa t nt d 6 ba heorsde e .Dougl sDe l ( 4 - J1 . c l ' gr e ( a c.DE- 3 6 1) A tt tm e Li a t he i m houghts onl ne he y eded t r t s urtesanal i,buts o e-ake ec ii yss he lt rla ne s a s ha t r -a fna i l rme .DE- 3 1 at 6. a e e r d he lo d o e t ke i nca c i s ( 4 - 7 2 1 4 A lhough Kum ar st t ' eam i taly w or i a s nii l ked n epar e ofi e i t M c ght at fc n he Kni Buidi t m oved s l ng, hey oon aferLi a' hi e i o t buidi w ih m os oft i t m s r nt he l ng t t he r c or s. ow ker - 2- Ar ound t o w eeksl er Li a t i t r s erf t f ls m es eratFI . w at , m red o egi t or he al e t U H ow ever t r gi r t d hert s fr thad t r appl f adm i son beca eher , he e star ol hat he is o e- y or si us s udents at had bec e i i She r appled f adm is on butw ast d t s t t us om nactve. e- i or si ol hat he m i notbe r ns at i tm ef f lc as es She r ght ei t ed n i or al l s . epor ed t st Kum ar herdiec t hi o , r t s uper s ,w ho t d hernott w or y a vi or ol o r bouti asl ass t t cl si t s i t ong he ook he as n he prng, and t he pr f r t s t t cassi t s i bec e t w oul 1 her hat e er ed hat he ake he l n he prng aus hat d et f c o he ne jb i t f l. di no a k he f ra doc nt ton of r o us n r w o n he al He d t s r o ny ume a i he ate ptt r s erf t c as ,a s di notpr de a She di nots tm o egi t or he l s nd he d ovi ny. d peak t o a nees a UM a t tm ea nyo le t t he i boutt is . 1 . t5 - 4 5 - 8. he sue (# a 1 5 , 7 5 ) Overt nextf m ont ,Li a s ared t notc t Kum art eat he he ew hs m t t o ie hat r ed r dif r nty f om herm al co- or Giar lo a t he m adenegatve c m ent t fe e l r e w ker r del nd hat i om so Li a aboutherf al c w or r butnothe m al c w or s A tsom epoi i m em e o- ke s r e o- ker . nt n O c ober Kum aras d f f t , ke or eedbac a k bouthi m anagem ents yl She t d hi t he s t e. ol m hat m adene i c m ent aboutpeopl a t s w asc er abouthi t eatng gatve om s e nd hat he onc ned sr i Gia de l dif r nty fo he .I a 8 - 2. Her s r r lo fe e l r m r (d. t 8 9 ) e ponde t t te t d t m d ha he r a e he dif r nty be a eLi aw a a' he 'whe e sGia del wa ' a e rdrv n. (d fe e l c us m s ' mot r' r a r r lo s ' r e - i e ' I . c ' a 9. t 2) S n t r a tr Li me wih Fose t dic show he j b wa goi S oo he e fe , ma t t tr o s us r o s ng. he r s herc er a aied onc ns boutKum arsnegatve c m e sa hi dif entalt eat entof ' i om nt nd s fer i r m Li aa Gia de l (# a 9 - 6) m nd r r lo.J . t 4 9 . On N ove be 6,Kum arc l Li a i o hi ofi e a c r ed herabout m r aled m nt s fc nd onf ont w hats had t d Fos er Li a l tKum arsofi e ups a t d Fos erw hathad he ol t . m ef ' fc et nd ol t ha ne (d a 97 0 ,1 5.Hum a Re our e M a e Pa aW rg c nt ce Li a ppe d.I . t -1 0 1 ) n s c s nag r ol i ht o a td m t ne day,a t y m eta f w days l ert di c st st i Acc di t he xt nd he e at o s us he iuaton. or ng o W r ghtsnot fom t m eetng,Li a t d hert Kum arhad an 'i s w ih w om en i ' es r hat i m ol hat 's ue t /c n' c r t s t i 'and t he m ir anaged herbutnotG iar l herm a e a t ontol he iuaton' hat c om r delo, l c - k r ( 4 - 6 a 11 rg s i t ts woul s he eat a me tng t o wor e . DE-8 1 t .W i ht ad ha he d c dul e m e i o dic st m a t rf t r ( maDe 1 0-1 1 4 0 )Ac or ngt W rght s s us he te urhe . Li p. 0 -0 , 0 - 5. c di o i , he i stga ed Li a' com pl ntbutdi nott e i asa di c i i i c pl ntbec e nve i t m s ai d r at t s rm naton om ai aus g nde dic i i to ' dn' c m eup. ( rg De ( 48 7 1 9:4- 1 0: ) e r s rm na i n ' t o di ' W i ht p. DE- - J 1 2 2 8. ' On N ove ber13,Foseri ued a w rten w ar ng t Kum arf f lng t m t ss it ni o or aii o c m uni at pr es i l w ih hi s af,par iul l on N ovem ber6 t ar Li a. om c e of s onaly t s t f tc ar y ow ds m The w ar ng not t Fos e had m etw ih Kum ari Augus and O ct ni ed hat t r t n t oberoft year hat t dic shi unpr es i o s us s of sonalc m uni aton s yl and par iul l hi ha tofm aki om c i t e tc ary s bi ng negatvecom m ent aboutc or r i fontofot em pl i s ow ke s n r her oyees. tr t at UM ' l eier ed s expec atonsgoi f w ar and r r Kum art atend s alc as esand t t i ng or d equied o t ever l s o par i pat i a ' anage entt tci e n ' m m eam coac ng s son.'H owever i di notr er e hi es i ' ,t d ef enc a alga i o g nde - s d dic i i to o dipa a ete t e .DE- 3 1 . ny le ton f e rba e s rm nai n r s r t r a m nt ( 4 - 11 A lo on N ove be 1 Li a em aied W r ghtt as i t m e i w oul i l s m r 3, m l i o k f he etng d ncude Kum a ,a W rghtc nfr e t t two d.DE- 3 1 1 m e i et r a t r W rg r nd i o im d ha i ul ( 4 - 2.So tm he e fe , i ht a ke Kum a t ' i m iehi c r ai nswih gwm a untlwewe ea 1 bl t st s d r o ' ni z s onve s to m t li l i r 1a e o i dow n i a t n eam m eetng bec e w e di notw a t es at t st i f t . i aus d nt o cal e he iuaton urher' ' ( rg De 8 )Howe r Li aw a not nf m e oft s On No mbe 2 , ma W i ht p. 6. ve , m s i or d hi. ve r 6 Li e aied W rghtt f l up on t t m l i o olow he eam m eetng and s at t herw or envionm ent i t ed hat k r had goten w or ebeca e Kum arhad s oppe c m uni atng w ih hert t poi of t s us t d om c i t o he nt e l ng herf om w or m eetngs W rghtr s xcudi r k i . i e ponded t t m eetng w oul t hat he i d ake plc t f l wi Thur da ( 4 1 1 a e he olo ng s y. DE-3-3. - 4- O n Dec ber5 a m eetng t pl e w ih Li a,Gi delo,Kum ar Fos er em , i ook ac t m rar l , t , W rght and new l hi ed Executve Diect ofFi nc Al n Gom ez. W rghtt d Li a i , y- r i r or na e a s i ol m t t m ate had bee addr s t Kum arhad no i1i entons a t t bes hat he tr n es ed, hat l nt i , nd hat he t r ol i w oul be f e yone t ' ove f w ar 'She di notm enton t UM had es uton d or ver o' m or d. ' d i hat i s a w r ten w ar ng t Kum ar. m a r ponded t s c d notsm pl m ove s ued it ni o Li es hat he oul i y f w ar be or d caus he c e r oncer had notbee addr s and Kum arhad ne ns n es ed ver apol ze orac ogi d know l edged t hehad done anyt ng wr hat hi ong.Li a w asnotas m ked ho s wa e UM t a e st stlton.Li aDe 1 9 2 ) w he nt d o ddr s he ita i ( m p. 1 -1 2. Afert m eetng,Gom ez,Fos er and W r ghtdi c s how t pr eed. t hat i t , i s us ed o oc Gom ez c l oncuded t Li a a Kum a w oul notbe abl t w or t her6H e hat m nd r d eo k oget . , Fos er and W rghtdec ded t r ove Li a f om Kum ars s t , i i o em m r ' uper s on and t m ove he vi i o r phys c ofi t t M c i Buidi Soon t ea t ,Gom ez and Kum arhad a i al fce o he n ght l ng. her fer brefdi c s on i w hih Kum arc iii Li a' w or pe f m anc a t d Gom ez i s us i n c r tc zed m s k r or e nd ol t Li a s ilnee hat m tl ded t c pl eherdegr e. o om et e Som e i e afert di c si Gom e tm t hat s us on, z, Fose , nd W rghtde i d t Li awoul r por die ty t Go e ( m e De 7 tr a i cde hat m d e t r c l o m z. Go z p. 9 1 ,1 - 6. ,6 92 ) Li a w asnotcons t be or t e de s onsa w asnothappy w ih t m uled f e hes cii nd t he mov (d. t1 ; se De 7 , 4.Be a es w a s pa a e fo he c r r , t e.I a 8 Fo tr p. 1 9 ) c us he s e r t d r m r owo ke s i wa ha de t r a h outf ne a sg nt ort wor on t a pr j cs a s s r ro ec or w s i nme s o k e m o e t, nd he be n t f e iolt d. Li aDe 1 5 3 ) ga o e l s a e ( m p. 2 -1 5. Gom ezr ac Fos e ast Exec i Diect ofFi epl ed t r he utve r or nanc on N ovem ber18. e Be or t n, di notwor a UM o ot r s kno Li ( m e De ( 4 - 4 f e he he d k t r he wie w ma.Go z p.DE- 3 1 1 6 .Fose w a pr o e a uli a ey be a ea s ca eChi fFi nca Ofie i -7) t r s om t d nd tm t l c m s o it e na il fc r n J y 2 1 ( se De 7. ul 0 4.Fo t r p. ) 6 The r cor i uncl ast w het Gom ez orW rghtknew att tm e t e d s ear o her i he i hat Li a' oferl t rr r hert c pl e herdegr w ihi sx m ont ,butW rghts m s f ete equied o om et ee t n i hs i ' notsfo t me tng s e r m he e i ugge tt is wa r ie a a' onc r ' ( 4 - 6a 1 . s he s ue s as d s ' e n. DE- 8 1 t 21 c ' On Dec ber16,Gom ez em aied Li a t as f an updat on he pr es em l m o k or e r ogr s t ar com pl i herdegr Li a r ponded t s had be una e t r s er ow ds etng ee. m es hat he en bl o egi t f hercas i t f lbuthad r gi er f t s i a t s had as Kum ar or l s n he al e st ed or he prng, nd hat he ked i J ywhats needed t do a n ul he o boutt is and t het d hernott wory abouti. he s ue hat ol o r t Gome a k d he t doc e he e f rst r c z s e r o um nt r fo t owa ds ompltnghe de e .DE- 3 1 . ei r gr e ( 4 - 5J She r ponded by pr di t l ters i herr ns at e f t s i es ovi ng he e t how ng ei t em nt or he prng s m e tr (7 48 7a 7 . Thi wa t fr ttm et tLi at d a nea UM ot r e se .1 E- - t 34 s s he is i ha m ol nyo t he t n Kum ara ha boutheri lt t r s erf t f ls m es er nabiiy o egit or he al e t . Som etm e afert ,Gom ez decded t r om m end t Li abe t m i ed f i t hat i o ec hat m er nat or f lng t fnih herdegr w ihi sx m ont A c or ng t Fos er Gom ez ' ade t aii o i s ee t n i hs. c di o t , ' m he de ii 'a Fose ' d noto r i i.7( trDe 3 )Ac or ng t Fose a cson' nd t r ' di ve rde t' Fose p. 0. c di o tr nd ' Gom ez,t y di notexpl e w het rLi a sdeadlne c d be e e he d or he m ' i oul xt nded bec e t aus hey t hought rwo k pr t d be n poo .1 . t3 - 9 m e De 3 - 3.On J nua y he r oduc ha e r (J a 4 40 Go z p. 4 4 ) a r 8 2 4 Gome i o me Li at ts ha be n tr i t d.DE- 3 1 1 , 01 , z nf r d m ha he d e e m na e ( 4 - 6. Som e i e i ea l 201 Kum ari or ed G iar l t hew asup f a tm n ry 4, nf m r delo hat or pr i fo j orfna i l na ys t s ni fna ila l t Hi pr i t ok omoton r m uni i nca a l t o e or i nca nays . s omoton o ef c i J 2 4.Gia del De (7 4 - 1 ,1 . fe t n une 01 ( r r lo p. 1E- 8 81 4 7) B.D I sCUssI N O Li aas ert cl m sf s x di rm i i a r a i i underbot Til V1 m s s ai or e sc i naton nd et laton h te 1 a t Fl i Ci lRi sA c ,w hi h bot em pl t s e l nd he orda vi ght t c h oy he am egalanal i .Se ys s e Vae z ea' Glb Gr un N. ,L 1 S 3 1 , ( a 3 DCA 2 0 )(ii Ha p r ln u l p o e o d Am. LC, 8 o. d 7 21 Fl . d . 0 9 ctng r e ? Blc b se Entr Ct :,1 9F.d 1 8 ,1 87( 1h Ci.9 8 ) Be a eLi asc s r ss 7 o k u tr e . ? . 3 3 3 5 3 1 t r1 9 ). c us m ' a e e t . r Exec i Diect ofH um an Res c Er olDougl as er st heal utve r or our es r as s t hat one de i d t t r i t Li a( 4 - % 1 1 b t sas e to i notc nsde e a cde o e m na e m 9E- 3 6 3 , ut hi s ri n s o i rd t s umma y j me be a ei i i onsse wih Fo t rsde ii t si ny. r udg nt c us t s nc itnt t se ' poston e tmo on cic s antale denc M c nne lDouglsCo p.,.Gr e apples 411 U . 792 r um t i vi e, Do l a r p en i . S. (9 3. 1 7 ) Unde t M c n l Do glsfa e k apli ifwho e tbls s' a t r he Do nel u a r m wor , a ntf sa ihe ' cs f a quaet pe mi a i e e eo dici nain'ha ap i f cec s of de t o r t n nfrnc f s rmi to ' s rma a i a e dici nain. o xp Ciyo lnt,Ga, 20F. 1 6 ,1 7 ( t Ci. 0 8 . srmi to Riu . t jAta a .5 3d 2 9 2 5 11h r 2 0 )The em pl oyerc r butt pr um pton ofdicrm i i by pr f i a 'l tm at ,nonan e he es i s i naton oferng 'egii e di c i i or r on'f t adver e em pl entac i I l t em pl s rm nat y eas ' or he s oym ton. d. f he oyers ifes ats i t sbur ofpr hi den oduc i t bur n s fst t pl ntf t s ton, he de hit o he ai if o how t t em pl r s hat he oye ' pr f r r on w asa pr extf dicrm i i J ofe ed eas et or s i naton. #. 1.Li a CannotM ake a Pr m a Fac e Case ofD i rm i i m i i sc i naton Fo ap i f cec s o e oyme dici nain,apli if ts w t t r rma ai a e f mpl nt srmi to antf mus ho ha : ()s beo t apr tce ca s ()s wa q lfe f t jb,( t e oye 1 he lngs o oe td ls,2 he s uaiid or he o 3)he mpl r t k a a ree pl oo n dve s m oyme a to a ( i tki t a e s e oy e a ton nt ci n, nd 4) n a ng he dv r e mpl m nt ci , t em pl he oyerteat herl sf r ed es avor y t a s m ia l si at per on out i t abl han i l ry- m ed s s de he pr t ce ca s Smih'. c h e - a tn Co p.6 4F.d 1 2 ,1 2 ( 1h Ci. 01 ) He e o e t d l s . t p Lo k ed M ri r , 4 3 3 1 3 5 1 t r 2 1 . r , Li a c m annots i f t s cond el ent ats y he e em . Toe tbls q lfc inf rt jb a' antf ne donl s t heors sa ih uaiiato o he o , ' i if e pl y how hat he s tsida e oye' o jci q lfc to . V'sf p Ata aI e Sc S s, 0 aife n mpl rs be tve uaiiains' e es . lnt ndp. h. y .4 8 ' s F.d 7 3 7 9(1hCi. 0 5 . si uiy dirga dst ' mpl e ' s e tve 3 6 , 6 1 t r 2 0 )Thi nq r se r he ' oy rs ubjci e e l tonso t pl i if's h asj pe f ma e a f us ss ey o ' vi nc vaua i f he antfz uc ob ror nc , nd oc e ol l n ' de e ' e t i o jci l veiibl a et re sl o ana eorwihi t pli ifs hats be tvey rfa e nd ihe a iy bti bl t n he antf' pose so 'I .(m p ssom it d) Ther q r m e t t m afnih he de e wihi s s i n. d e ha i te . ' e uie nt ha Li i s r gr e t n sxm o hsi a o j ci q lfc ton. pose jb de c i i n r quie aba heors i nt s n b e tve uaiia i The t d o s rpto e r d c l ' de e . masjbofe ma a e e inbyal nghe sxmont t me tt s gre Li ' o fr de n xc pto lowi r i hs o e hi r r ent buts f l d t do s equiem , he aie o o. Li a ar m guest Kum arhad appar aut iy t w ai orext Li a s hat ent hort o ve end m ' de dl t c a i o omplt he de e ( 4 a 1 -1 . Howe r a r nta hort o y ne e e r gr e.DE- 6 t 2 31 ve , ppa e ut iy nl e s si ' prncpalr es nt t an agenthasaut iy t ac and a t r par y xi t f ' i i epr e s hat a hort o t hi d t r a ona y r le on (heprncpa/lr pr s nt i n t hi de rm e . M alr & Ev ns e s bl eis t i i ls e e e ato o s ti nt' lo y ' a Co rco s& En n es LLC '. k g eL:@ .4 3F. x 8 2 8 6( 1 h Ci. 0 2 . nta tr gie r, p Tus e e J1p, 6 App' 6 , 6 1 t r 2 1 ) ' 'The ac soft agent s andi al ' t he , t ng one,ar i ufii t es abls t t age i e ns fc ent o t i h hat he nt s a ho ie t a tf t prncpa. Stly' Trnsto a HopiasCop.fT mp , S ut rz d o c or he i i l' al p a iin l s tl r o a a 44 o. ' e . 3 6 7 6 0( a. d DCA 2 1 ) Li ac n poi t noe de et tUM ,o a pe s n d 2 , 3 Fl 2 0 0. m a nt o vi nc ha r ny r o aut i d by U M ,r es nt t hert Kum arhad aut iy t m odiy t degr horze epr e ed o hat hor t o f he ee- c pl i deadlne.Them e e f t Kum arw ashers om eton i r act hat uper s doesnotc oa hi vior l k m w ih t a hor t t c t he ut iy o hange t t m sofhere pl e . auseLi a di nots if he er m oym nt Bec m d ats y t e oye ' o j ci quaiiai n t ts c mpl t he de e wih n sxmont , he mpl rs b e tve lfc to ha he o ee r gr e t i i hs s wa no quaiidf t jb, nd s c nno ma aprma ai c s of he s t lfe or he o a he a t ke i f ce a e di c i i i s rm naton. 2.Li a CannotShow Pr ext m et Ev niLi c dma ap i a i c s,UM ha pr fe e a'e ii t, e f ma oul ke rmafce a e s ofr d ' gtmae nonl dicrm i or r on' f hert r i i herf l e t c pl e herdegr e w ihi s i nat y eas ' or e m naton; aiur o om et e tn sx m ont Li a has s i hs. m ubm it d no r or evi te ec d denc s e how i t sr on w asapr t . ng hi eas e ext An e pl m oyee c s an how pr ext' t di ec l by pe s et ' her r ty ei r uadi t cour t a ng he t hat dicrm i or r as m or lkel m otvat t em pl s i nat y e on ei y i ed he oyerori r ty by s i t ndiec l how ng hat t em pl ' pr f ed e anaton i unw orhy ofc edenc ' Kr gorp.Ta e Pha m. he oyer s ofer xpl i s t r e. a ' k da r Am.I .7 2F. 1 0 , 3 8(1hCi. 0 2 (uotngTe D@ 'o y. is, ,nc, 0 3d 3 4 1 0 1 t r 2 1 ) q i x. rfcmt Ayar f 7 . Bur n , 5 U. 2 8 2 6( 9 1 )To s w t ti i unw o t ofc e nc ,a e pl ye die 4 0 S. 4 , 5 1 8 ). ho ha t s rhy r de e n m o e m us poi t 's h w eaknes es i pl i ltes i onss enci ,i ohe enc e or t nt o 'uc s , m ausbiii , nc it es nc r i s c r c i i t em pl ontadi tons n he oyerspr f ed l tm at r onsf isactons t a ' ofer egii e eas or t i hat - 8- r ona ef fnderc d fnd t m unw or hy ofc edence. Ve s l,408 F. a 771. eas bl acti oul i he t r ' s es ' 3d t Asl ast pr f ed expl i i 'one t m i m otvat a r ona e ong he ofer anaton s ' hat ght i e eas bl em pl r' an em pl oye z' oyee c annotr buti sm pl by 'quar elng w ih t w i dom oft e ti y ' r i t he s hat r a on. Ch pma '. Tr ns ,2 9F.d 1 1 , 0 0 ( 1h Ci. 0 0 . e s ' a n p AI a p. 2 3 0 2 1 3 1 t r 2 0 ) ' Li a c m otpoi t w eaknes esori pl i ltesi UM ' expl i The m al nt o s m ausbiii n s anaton. po tdjb de ci i r q r da' c l ' De e i Fna eorrltdfed. ( se o s rpton e uie ' heors gre n i nc eae il ' DEBa ' 4 - a 1) t 3 2 t .Alhough UM m a a e c pton t t swhe i hie Li , ro f rlte de n x e i o hi n t r d ma he fe e t r r quie he t fnih he de e wihi sx mont .DE- 3 5a 11S unde sood t s e r d r o i s r gr e t n i hs ( 4 - t . he r t hi r q r m e a a ' o to '( m aDe 4 21 2 butf i d t fnih he de e wihi e uie nt s ' ndii n' Li c p. 4: - 2) al o i s r gr e t n e sx m ont A lhough Li a now ar i hs. t m guest U M c d ha w ai orext hat oul ve ved ended t he sx- ont deadlne t c pl e herdegr ,t si ir eva unl U M teat m e i m h i o om et ee hi s r el nt ess r ed n and w om en dif enty i t sr d,s h asby ext ndi s m iardeadlnesf m e fer l n hi egar uc e ng i l i or n butnotf Li a. eSm ih 644 F. at1341.Ther i no e denc ofs dif ental or m Se t, 3d es vi e uch fer i t eat enti t s c e. n f t Li a ss x- ont de i w as a ac om m odaton t r m n hi as I ac , m ' i m h adlne n c i hat nobody ele r ei s ec ved.Ever yone e s ofcom par bl r nk i t D epar m ental e had le a e a n he t r ady abac orsdegr hel ' ee. The e o e Li c n onl s v v s r f r , ma a y ur i e umma yj me bypo ntng t e i nc r udg nt i i o v de e t UM w asm or lkel m otvat by dicrm i or r ons I t sr hat ei y i ed s i nat y eas . n hi egar s d, he ar guest hert m i i w asuli a el m otvat d by Kum arsbi bec e w hen hat er naton tm t y i e ' as aus G om e t m i ed her he s m pl r z er nat , i y ubber s am ped a r om m endaton f om Kum ar -t ec i r . How ever t st y ofc aton r r a s , hi heor aus i equies how i t 't dec sonm akerf l ed ng hat 'he i i olow t bi ed r om m e he as ec ndaton w ihouti i t ndepe ndenty i tgatng t c pl ntagai t l nves i i he om ai ns t e oy e'Stmp o ' Ci o saos,1 6F.d 1 8 1 3 (1hCi. 9 9. r, he mpl e . i sn p % fTu cloa 8 3 32 , 3 2 1 t r 1 9 )Hee ' . t e i no r or evi her s ec d denc t Gom e f l e hat z olowed abi ed r om m endaton f om Kum ar as ec i r w he he dec ded t t m i eLi a.Fi s,t e i atm os a s i il ofevi nc t t n i o er nat m r t her s t c ntla de e ha Kum areven m ade a 'r om m endaton' t t m i e. 'ec i ' o er nat Theonl r or evi ncei ofa y ec d de s brefdi c s on i w hi h Kum a crtc zed Li a' w or peror a e and s at t i s us i n c r iii m s k f m nc t ed hat Li asi ne de t c m pl t he de e . Gome De 20 2)S c Gom e m tl e d o o ee r gr e ( l z p. -2 . e ond, z i pe nty i si t d whe he Li aw o d c m pl t he de e i tm e ( 4 nde nde l nve tga e t r m ul o e e r gr e n i . DE- 3 1 1 wa as Li ' die ts r s f amont ,e bl hi t o e vehe j b 5.He s lo ma s r c upe vior or h na i m o bs r r o ng pe f m anc diec l Ther i no evi nc t Gom ez' i s i i oft e m a/er r or e r ty. es de e hat s nve tgaton hes s w ast nt by bi .Ther or t f tt Kum arm ade c t n c m e s t Gom ez ai ed as ef e, he ac hat er ai om nt o doesnots uppor ar ona ei er e t Gom e w asa m er c t eas bl nf enc hat z e ondui t ough w hih t hr c Kum arefec tat Li a' t m i i Bec e Li a hasnotpr ent any ot f tl ed m s er naton. aus m es ed her evi denc t hert r i i w asdi c i i or herdic m i i cl m f l e hat e m naton s r m nat p s ri naton ai ais. 3.Li a Ca m nnotShow t a Ret l at y M otve Caused H erTer i i hat a i or i m naton Li aalo ar m s gues t U M t m i ed herbec e s c pl ned about hat er nat aus he om ai Kum arsge r bas t eat entofher Ret i i c ai sar a yzed unde a varant ' nde - ed r m . alaton l m e nal r i oft M c nne lDougl sf a ew or f dicrm i i c ai s. em pl he Do l a rm k or s i naton l m An oyee m a a kes prma a i c s ' s ng()t ts e ge i sautrl pr e tda tvip () i jce a e ' howi 1 ha he nga d n tt o iy otce ci t 2 by t ts s f r d amatral a r ea ton, nd ()t tt pr e t d a tviy c us d ha he ufe e e i l dve s ci a 3 ha he ot ce ci t a e y t a r ea to 'Clr ' S. o r Ho p. s.6 1F. he dve s c in. c kp Br wa d s Dit, 0 App' 88 ,8 6( 1 h Ci. 01 ) ' . x 6 9 1 t r2 5 (ii Ch ptr7Tr ' Ga eGo r t I .6 3F.d 1 4 ,1 5 ( 1h Ci. 01 ) Onc a ctng a e . . t u me, nc, 8 3 2 9 2 8 1 t r 2 2). e p p i a i c s i ma ,'hebur nofpr to s fst t dee ntt atc lt a rmafce a e s de ' t de oducin hit o he fnda o riuae l tm at non-et i or r on f isem pl entacton,w hi h t pl ntf c egii e, r alat y eas or t oym i c he ai if an r butw ih e denc ofpr ext' I U li at y,a pl ntf m us s e t vi e et . d. tm el ' ai if t how t 't desr t hat 'he ie o r tlaewa t butfrc us o t c le de oy nta to 'I>ï?o xa S eait s he -o a e f he halnge mpl me cin. .l .fTe s w. '1 z Me . r f Nasr 1 3S. . 5 7 2 2 (0 3; e as Pe n o 7 CiyO ntvie d Ct.? sa, 3 Ct2 1 , 5 8 2 1 )se lo nnigtn J t fHu s l , , . . l 2 F.d 1 6 , 2 9 (1 h Ci. 0 1 ( la lt i ' hee pl ye wo d ha em a t 61 3 2 2 1 6 1 t r 2 0 ) no ibiiy f ' m o r ul v de he t s m ediput d e o e de ii n i t a e eo t a lge bi s ) a s e mpl ym nt cso n he bs nc f he le d a v . Thefrt woee nt ofaprmaf cec s a eme: mac mpli d a is t lme s i a i a e r tLi o ane bout Kum ari November2013and wast mi ed onJ nuar 8,2014.Herpaper appeart n er nat a y s o ar f c aton by s gue or aus i uggesi t s w asexpos t a ' t r ofant tng hat he ed o ' e n pat agonim ' s ' t t ga atrhe c ant c mi tngi he tr nain. e Loma v Cfgo ha be n fe r ompli , ul nai n r emi to S e z n . h f Ri eaBe c , 9 F. vir a h 3 Supp. d 1 9 ,1 5( D. a 2 1 )(a a i m a bei e r d fom 3 3 2 40 S. Fl . 0 4 c us ton y nf r e r eiher'an unus ly s t ' ua l ugges i t por pr m iy bet n t pr ect ac i t and tve em al oxi t wee he ot ed tviy t a lge y r t la or a t or' pa t r ofa a nim c upl d wih tmi ) S he le dl eai t y c' ' te n nt go s o e t i ngv . he ' a poi st t o actonsi pari ar Fi s,s ari i N ovem ber Kum ari nt o w i n tcul . r t t tng n , gnor d he and e r excl uded he f om w or m ee i Sec rr k tngs. ond,afers i i t on D ec ber5 t U M do t he ns sed em hat m or t t lhert 'm ovef w ar ' s w ast ans er ed t t M c ghtBuidi e han el o' or dz' he r f r o he Kni l ng, ioltnghe fom he ta a i bii he a lt t wor ontn prjcsorse s ai r r r e m nd nhi tng r biiy o k e m oe t e k o ne a sg e s ( 4 a 1 ,1 - 0. ut w s i nm nt.DE- 6 t 5 8 2 4 Ho ve, sumi t t sma sap i a i c s,Li c nnots w pr tx. we r a s ng hathi ke rmaf ce a e ma a ho ee t Fi s,asdic s above i t anal i ofherdicrm i i cai ,s c r ots rt s us ed n he yss s i naton l m he a m how t UM ' pr f ed expl naton f hert r i i hat s ofer a i or e m naton- herf l e t c pl eher aiur o om et degr ee- i unw orhy ofc edenc Sec s t r e. ond,t r or s he ec d how st UM had l tm at hat egii e r onsf t ot rt ac i t Li a c e m ake up a ' t n of eas or he he wo tons hat m ont nds ' er pat ant agonim . Asf Li a' per i t Kum arw asi s ' ' or m s cepton hat gnorng her W rghthad as i , i ked Kum art m i m i hi c o ni ze s onve s i w ih Li a untlafert t r atons t m i t he eam m eetng t a d i o voi e c ltng tnso bew e n Kum a a Li a8( rg De 8 . Asf rLi asta f r s aa i e i ns t e r nd m . W i ht p. 6) o m ' r nse outofKum arss ' uper s on and i o t M c ghtBuidi t sw asa r ona e vi i nt he Kni l ng, hi eas bl s uton gi Gom ez' c l i f om t Dec ber5 m eetng t Li a and Kum ar ol i ven s oncuson r he em i hat m 8 Per hapsi W rghthad expl ned t st Li a att tm e i w oul have avoi f i ai hi o m he i , t d ded l ng Li a w ih t i pr s on t s w asbei os r zed. 20/ hi i eavi m t he m es i hat he ng taci But 20 ndsght doe note t bls t a de- c aton ate ptw as apr extf r alaton. s s a i h hat es al i tm et or et i i - 11 - c d no l oul ongerw or t hergBeca e a r onabl f ti k oget . us eas e ac fnderc d notc l oul oncude f om t f t i t r or t a des r t r alat w ast butf caus ofLi a' r he ac s n he ec d hat ie o et i e he -or e m s t m i i herr alaton c ai f l er naton, et i i l m ais. Bec e t r i no genui i s ofm at i f w hen t r or evi aus he e s ne s ue eral act he ec d denc i es v e d i t lg mo tf v a et Li , i e il d t s iwe n he i ht s a or bl o ma UM s ntte o umma yj me on r udg nt bot ofLi a' c ai s. ti her by h m slm I s e ORD ERED t hat 1 ) Dee ntsmoto f s fnda ' in or umma yj me ( 4 i GRANTED. r udg nt DE-3Js 2 ) Thi c s i DI M I SED W I PREJ CE. s ae s S S TH UDI 3 ) Thi c e i CLOSED . s as s 4 ) Any pe ng motonsnoto he wier e upon a eDENI AS M OOT. ndi i t r s uld r ED DONEAND ORDE D i MimiFoiatiX/ d yo J y 2 1. RE n a , lrd,hs W a ful,05 + e k , PATRI A A . TZ CI SEI UNI TED S TATES DI TRI J S CT UDGE 9 Alhough Li a ar t m guest Gom e di notcons therbef em aki t s hat z d ul or ng hi decs on,s s ii he ugges sno vi bl aler i pl em ent M or t a e t natve ac . eover t Cour i nota z he ts ' uperper onneldepar m entt r xam i an e iy' busnes dec s ons. Cha a ' s - s t hat ee nes ntt s i s i i ' pm n, ' 2 9F.d a 1 3 (ia i n omit d) 2 3 t 0 0 ct to te .
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