Keane v. Federal Express Corporation et al, No. 1:2016cv20818 - Document 32 (S.D. Fla. 2017)
Court Description: ORDER Granting 22 Motion for Summary Judgment. Signed by Senior Judge James Lawrence King on 7/27/2017. (jw)
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Keane v. Federal Express Corporation et al Doc. 32 UN I TED STATES D I STRI T CO U RT C SO UTH ERN D ISTRICT O F FLO RI A D M I IDI I AM V SION CA SE N O .1 20818- J 6CV- LK KA REN TEPPER K EA NE, Pl ntf , ai i f FEDERAL EXPRESS CO RPORATI ON and EDUA RDO E.U TSET, D ef nda s e nt . / O RD ER G R AN TI DEFEN DAN TS'M O TIO N FO R SU M M A R Y JUD G M ENT NG TH I M ATTER com e bef e t Cour upon D ef nt FEDERAL EXPRESS S s or he t enda s CORPOM TI a EDW ARDO UTS 'M oi frS ON nd ETS ton o umma yJ gme t( 22) r ud n DE , fld J ne5 2 7. Cou t sa ii nal c nsde e Pli ifsRe po e ( 29 , ie u , 01 The r ha ddto ly o i r d antf s ns DE ) fldJ ne2 201 a De e a t' pl t rt ( 30 , ie J l 3 2 7 Upo ie u 5, 7, nd fnd ns Re y heeo DE ) fld uy , 01 . n r e oft r cor a car ulc i aton,t Cour fndst t Def evi w he e d nd ef ons der i he t i hat he endant s' M oton f Sum m a y J i or r udgm ents houl be gr ed. d ant BAC K G R OUN D Thi i an em pl e dicrm i ton cas wher n Pl ntf a l gest ss oym nt s i na i e ei ai if le hat Def nt dicrm i e agai the be e ofherr enda s s i nat d ns r caus ace.The f l i f s a e not olow ng act r ge nel diput nui y s ed: Dockets.Justia.com Pl ntf Kar n Te rK ea i ntfeshe s fas W hie caucasan and Je ih. ai i f e ppe ne de ii r el t/ i ws DE 27 4 a 8. a n ifwa e o d a De e ntFe e a Ex e s(û d Ex' f - t Pli tf s mplye t fnda d r l pr s ç Fe ' or ) a oxi a e y e ght n year prort bei pl d unde t m anagem entofDef ndant ppr m t l i ee s i o ng ace r he e Eduar Ut t t M ana ng D iect oft Regi do se , he gi r or he onalContolerDepa t e i t La i r l r m nt n he tn A m e i n a Ca i an D i s on ofFed Ex.DE 27-1,DE 23r ca nd rbbe vii * 2. Pl i ifst a f rt Ut etsde t e w a a antf r ns e o s ' parm nt s nnounced on N ovem ber25,2013. D E 27-1 On N ove ber26,2013,Pl i ifm etw ih Ut ett expr s i er ti a vacant . m antf t s o es nt es n s ni m a gem e pos ton. E 27-1 N ot y,Pl ntf had f ied t tm el appl f e or na nt ii D . abl ai i f al o i y y or t poston,Spec fca l t poston ofSeni M a he ii ii ly, he ii or nage ofRe r venue w aspos ed t i er l f Fed Ex e pl es on Se e ber 1 201 Pur uantt t polci s tf t nt naly or m oye pt m 3, 3. s o he i es e orh i t Fed Ex Pe e M a ,applc i r m ai d open t i er ca da esf s n he opl nual i atons e ne o nt nal ndi t or even ca e rdays and cl ed on Sept ber20,201 DE 23- D E 22- a 221 22.Pl ntf l nda , os em 3. 2; 3 t ai if conc st s di nots i a a i ton a t stm e. E 27- a 27. W hen U t e ede hat he d ubm t n pplca i t hi i D 4 t 1 st ake Pli ifwh s ddno a pl frt j bwhe a plc to weeo n Plitf s d antf y he i t p y o he o n p iains r pe , anif r ponded t s had notbeen i er t i t poston att tm e i w asadve ts es hat he nt es ed n he ii he i t r ied. Ut e s at t Pl ntf t t i a ca e,Pl i ifw oul notha been qualfed f t s t t ed o ai if ha , n ny s a ntf d ve ii or he s orm a eni nage entposton. m ii Pl ntf had s eque conver atonsw ih Ut eti J ai if ubs nt s i t s n anuar orFebr y of201 y uar 4, whe e Pl i ifi it t ts w a qua ii f t s ni m anage e pos ton r antf nss ed ha he s lfed or he e or m nt ii beca e ofhe e us r xperenc i t fel ofr ve a herM ase ofBus ne s i e n he i d e nue nd tr i s 'Twoot ri er c daes bot Hipa c,a iduns es f l DE 23he nt nal andi t , h s ni pple ucc suly. 2. 2 A dm i sr ton.D E 27-1 Utetaga n r pled t Pl ntf w a notqualsed,s scaly ni ta i . s i e i hat ai i f s i peci l bec ause s i nota ce tf e publc a he s r ii d i ccount nt 27- a 1 Ther or on J a . 4 t 6. ef e, une 1,201 4, t s orm anagem entposton w asas i he eni ii sgned t an ext r candi e,D e a o e nal dat bor h Cas nova,w ho i a ce tf e publcaccount ntand hase rence asan a t f aFed a s r ii d i a xpe i udior or Ex com pe ior DE 23- D E 23- 2 tt . 4; 2. A fe f lng t obt n t s ni m a tr aii o ai he e or nage entposton,Pl ntf a oache m ii ai if ppr d Hum a Res ce a t V i Pr s dentt expr st s f l t ts s d have n our s nd he ce e i o es hat he et ha he houl been pr ot overCas om ed anova.Howeve ,Pl ntf concedest ts f l t s i an r ai if ha he aied o ubm t ofi al wrte com pl ntt ough Fed Ex' Guar nt Fai Tr t e a fci , it n ai hr s a eed r ea m nt ppea pr ss l oce beca e s had f l t f m aly a y f t pos ton i t fr tpl ce. E 27- a 45. us he aied o or l ppl or he ii n he is a D 4 t Pl ntf t r ai i he non- e orposton asa M a ai i f hus em ned n r s ni ii nagerofFi nce. na N ot ihsandi t tPl ntf adm it y di nota y f t s ni m ana m e w t t ng ha ai if tedl d ppl or he e or ge nt poston,Pl ntf bele t ts wasnotpr ot due t r aldi c i i i ii ai if i ved ha he om ed o aci s r m naton. Pl ntf i unabl t cie t a diec i t ai i f s e o t o ny r t ns anceswher a r ci l dipar ng r a k was e a aly s agi em r m ade t a d her I t ow r . nsead,Pl ntf diect t Cour t a declr i by Pa oa V e r o ai i f r s he to a aton ol ne i ( s tsa mi sr tvea ssa ta t tme , wine s d Ute r frt Pl i ifa Ute ' d nita i s it n t he i ) who t s e s t e e o antf s i he J w ' out i ofPl ntf pr ence. s e ' sde t ai ips es Durng Pl ntf t e asM a i ai ifs enur nagerofFi nance,s r cei t docum e e he e ved wo nt d couns i A ccor ng t t Fed Ex Peopl M anual a docum e ed couns i i not elngs. di o he e , nt elng s dici i y i na ur DE 23- a 205- Rat ,a docum ent d couns i i ve a s plnar n t e, 3 t 06. her e elng nvol s 2Ca a s novaas i ntfeshe s l a beng oft W hieca in r e, butPli ifdiput t sf c .DE 23lo de ii r ef s i he t/ ucasa ac antf s es hi a t 4. 3 couns i s s on ast a pt e e pl elng es i o cce abl m oyee conduct a wrten docum e a i oft t , nd it nt ton ha couns i s s i The fr tdoc e ed couns lng wasgi t Pl ntf due t he elng e s on. is um nt ei ven o ai if o r f l e t pr l m a aiur o opery nage apayr lis The s ol s ue. econd docum e ed couns i wasgi n nt elng ve be causeone ofPl ntf'sem pl ai it oyees Be t H ar i,w asf , ty rs ound t be w or ng out i of o ki s de tea o it j b ca sfc to DE 27 4a 1 4.nr s ns t t s c ndd u ntd h pprprae o lsiiain, - t 8 I epo e o he e o oc me e c ouns i Pl ntf i or e he s orm anage ,Cas nova t ts had pr vi l elng, ai i f nf m d r eni r a , ha he e ousy atmptdt rs veHars j bmica sfc to b rpo tn it HR a e rya 201 te e o e ol ri'o s lsiiain y e rig t o s al s 3, butnot ng wasdone.DE 27- Pl ntf s r or neverhel s i it t Pl ntf be hi 4. ai ifs upe i s t es ns sed hat ai i f c nsldont pr pe se frplcnga e o ei ot c re t obca sfc ton, ou ee he o r tps o a i n mplye nt he or c j lsiiai a H a rswast eafers nd r i her t ucces f l pr ot d i o t pr rcl s scaton.DE 27s uly om e nt he ope a si i 4. Pl ntf r cei dici i f t fr ttm e i J y 2015,when one ofhe diect ai if e ved s plne or he i s i n ul r r e pl m oyeesi or e Cas nf m d anova t Pl ntf ha vi at d Fed Ex' l or aton Sec iy hat ai if d ol e s nf m i ur t Polcy by pr di non- anage ente pl i ovi ng m m m oyeeswih pas wor t t pa ol s t t s ds o he yr l ysem a Fed Ex bank account D E 23- DE 27-1.M or s i l r he t utlzi t nd . 4; e pec scaly, at r han ii ng he s c r b c up c nnesouti d i t p iy (uc a r l ng o t Tr a u y e u e a k ha l l n he olc s h s eyi n he e s r ne De rme o a ot e m a g r, antf p o d d u ut rz d e o e wih pa t nt r n h r na e ) Pli if r vi e na ho i e mpl ye s t c onsde i i or aton s t s t m coul be ac s w hie s was on vacaton.D E ntal nf m i o he ys e d ces ed l he i 23- A ccor ngl cons s e w ih t pr s onss tf t i t Fed Ex Empl 4. di y, i t nt t he ovi i e orh n he oyee Ha ndbook,on J y 1 2015,Pl ntf w aspl d on s pended l ve w ih pay pendi ul 3, ai if ace us ea t ng a i s i ton oft I or a i Securt vi aton.DE 23n nve tga i he nf m ton iy ol i 1. 4 Thei siainrve ldsvea pr blmswihPli ifs o pefr n e nvetg to e ae e rl o e t antf j b roma c . Fis ,t i tgaton c im ed t Pl ntf vi at t I or aton Sec iy Polcy r t he nvesi i onfr hat ai i f ol ed he nf m i urt i by pr di pas w or and payr lacces t unaut i e pl ovi ng s ds ol so horzed m oyees t r by pl ng , he e aci t com pa a rs f faud.Second,t i tgaton s ed t tPl ntf alow e a he ny t ik or r he nves i i how ha ai if l d n houry empl l oyee t w or r m ot y,w ihoutes a ihi apr st e ur t t o k e el t t bls ng oces o ns e hat he houry empl l oyee waspr pe l l ng hi tm e.Fur he ,a r vi oft houry o ry oggi si t r e ew he l em pl oyee' r m ot i er us consr ed t the wasnotl ng hi tm e ac at l s e e nt net age m ha oggi si cur e y. Thid,i er ews wih Pl ntf s af r vea ed t Pl ntf had exhi t poor r nt vi t ai ifs t f e l hat ai if bied l de s p.Fori t e,Pl ntf sempl ea r hi ns anc ai if oyeesr t t tPl ntf f l t r ol a epored ha ai if aied o es ve dicepa whih r uledi a$52, rs t Fe Ex.Empl s r ncy c es t n 000 ik o d oyeesf t c urher ompl ned ai t tPl ntf s ha ai if howed a l k ofi er ti i pl e i t ne pa ol sys e ,a ac nt es n m em ntng he w yr l t m nd r pored t tPl i ifhas us s r and unpr es i ll e t ha a ntf ed t ong of s ona anguage durng saf m ee i . i t f tngs DE 232. Bas on t e fndi ,on Augus 6,201 a deci on w asm ade by Pl ntf ed hes i ngs t 5, si ai ifs s i st dem ot Pl ntf fom herm a uperor o e ai if r nagem entposton.DE 23- Pl i ifwast n ii 2. antf he of e ed he choi e off ale atve non- a fr r c our t m i , m nage e postons Fr t e c ce , m nt ii . om hos hoi s Pl ntf c ai if hoset new tte ofFi nci A dvi or DE 27- Pl ntf a he il na al s . 4. ai if ppea ed t l he dem oton t ough Fed Ex' Guar nt ed Fai Tr m e pr s butw asuns i hr s a e r eat nt oces , ucces f . s ul Pl i iffl t i t nts ton M a c 7,201 ale ng r e di c i i i and antf ied he ns a ui rh 6, l gi ac s rm naton r alaton. E 1.D ef et i i D endantt r t rfl d t i t M oton f Sum m ar J he eafe ie he ns ant i or y udgm e on nt J 5,201 A R e pons and Re y w e e tm e y fl m aki t sm aterrpe f t une 7, s e pl r i l ied, ng hi t i or he Cour ' r vi . ts e ew LEG AL STAN DA RD û mmayj g nti a o it wheet pla ngsa ds ppori maeil l su r ud me s pprprae r he e di n u t ng tras esabls t tt e i no ge ne is ast any m at r a f and t tt m ovi pary i t i h ha her s nui s ue o e i l act ha he ng t s e tte t j g nta amatro lw. Ceoe Cor v Catet477U. 31 3 nild o ud me s te f a ' ltx p. . r t, ' S. 7, 22 ( 98 ) Fe R. v. 5 a . mmayj gme t'sp o ryr g r e no a a 1 6 ) d. Ci P. 6() Su r ud n ç r pel e a d d t s i di f vor d pr s a e ocedur s t ,butr t rasan i e alpar oft Fede alRul asa al horcut a he nt gr t he r es whol, ihaede ine t sc r t j ts e ylja di x nsvedeemi to of e whc r sg d o e u e he us, pe d s n ne pe i tr nain e e y a to 'Pa e v Ca binc 28 F.d 1 ,1 4 ( 1h Ci. 0 . v r c in.' c , po a o, 3 3 275 28 1 t r 20 2) Summa y r j g n i a pr p it u e st r i age neis off c f rtilAge v Po tr ud me t s p o rae nls hee s nui sue a t o ra. e . re , 21 F. p' 8 7,8 ( 1h Ci. 07 .' rf cua is st bec nsde e ge ne 6 Ap x 3 40 1 t r 20 ) S a t l s ue o o i r d nui , Fo t ymu tha ear a ba i i t rc r 'M iev Jfe s n ( Bd o he s v e l ss n he e o d. z . efro 7y' fEdu .93F.d ' c, 3 7 9,7 2( 1hCi.1 6) l o po i amoinf s mma yj dgme t t n mo ng 3 4 1 t r 99 .n p sng to or u r u n,he on vi pa y ûm us s rt û t how s sc f t t suppor t tt r i a genui diput 'Ande son v. peci ac s o t ha he e s ne s e.' r Li e t Lob y, nc,4 U, 2 2 ( 9 6) Th no vi g pa t ma no r l o t e b ry b l . 77 S. 42, 48 1 8 . e nmo n ry y t ey n h pl adi ,butr t m us dem ons r e agenui i s f ti t ough afi t , e ngs a her t tat ne s ue or ral hr fdavis de ii i e r or a w er a adm i s ons Cel ex,477 U . at323- The postons, nt r ogat y ns s, nd s i . ot S. 24. e se ofa ûm e e s ntla' ofe de i suppor oft nonm ovi pary' poston i xit nce ç r ci il ' vi nce n t he ng t s ii s i ufi i nt t r m us be e dence on w hi t fnderoff tc d r onabl fnd f ns fc e ; he e t vi ch he i ac oul eas y i or t mo ngpa t Nat1Cas Co.v Pik ns 58 F. he vi ry. $ . . c e s 2 App' 8 ,8 41( 1h Ci. 4 x 39 40- 1 t r 201 ) ( o i Wale v Da b 91 F. 1 73,1 ( 1h Ci.1 90 ) qu tng k r . r y 1 2d 5 577 1 t r 9 ). DI SCU SSI N O Pl ntf t o countcom pl ntalege t tD ef nt engage i r al ai ifs w ai l s ha enda s d n aci dicrm i ton and r t i i agai therunders i 1 1,Til 42 oft Unied s i na i e alaton ns ecton 98 te he t St es Code.Spec fcaly,Pl ntf alege t D e e nt t ea ed W hie ipani at ii l ai if l s hat f nda s r t tm s c e oy e mo ef vo a y t a Pl itf who i ntfe he s l a W h t/ u a in a mpl e s r a r bl h n an it de iis r e f s ie ca c sa nd Jewih.Pl ntf f t alegest Def ndant r t i e aga ns herf r por i r al s ai i f urher l hat e s e alat d i t or e tng aci di c i i i a ns a he em pl s rm naton gai t not r oyee.I isM oton f Sum m ar J n t i or y udgm ent , Dee da prmaiyc tn t tPli ifc nn a sr zprmaf i c s f r fn nt i rl one ds ha antf a ot s et i ace a e o di c i i ton orr alaton.Pl ntf r pondst t r a e s ili s s off tt s rm na i et i i ai if es hat he e r tl s ue ac hat r ai ast bot cl m s The Cour wiladdr s e cl m i t n. em n o h ai . t l es ach ai n ur 1. Di c m i i Cl m s ri naton ai W her , asher apl ntf pr ent no diec evi nce ofdi c i i ton, cour s e e, ai if es s r t de s rm na i 3 t a y t f ii rbur s fi f a ew or se outi M c onnel D ou as Cor aton ppl he am la den- hitng r m k t n D l gl por i v Gr e 41 U. 7 2 ( 97 ) Und rt M c nn l Dou asfa wo k,t pli if . e n, 1 S. 9 1 3 . e he Do e l gl r me r he antf b asa i ta bu d nofe tbls ngaprmaf i c s ofds rmi to Se Hola v e r n niil r e sa ihi i ace a e ici nain. e lnd . 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Pl i ifdi howeve ,s f ra adve s em pl e ac i i t f m of a ntf d, r uf e n re oym nt ton n he or s pe i a de oton.Ther or ,pur uantt t M c onnel D ou as f am ewor t us ns on nd m i ef e s o he D l gl r k, he bur now s fst D ef den hi t o endant t pr f ra l tm a e,non- s r m i or r as f t s o of e egii t di c i nat y e on or he adve s e pl e actons.Def nt ha done s c endi t Pl ntf w as r e m oym nt i enda s ve o, ont ng hat ai if s pe us nded pendi t i tga i ofa r tt ts vi at d t l or aton Sec iy ng he nves i ton epor ha he ol e he nf m i urt Polc Furhe ,Def nda sofert f l i non- et xt r ons f de otng i y. t r e nt f he olow ng pr e ual eas or m i 8 Pli if ( )t ei ve tg to c ime t tPli ifvi l td Fe Ex' I or ton antf; 1 h n si a i n onfr d ha antf o ae d s nf ma i Se u iy Polc ( Pli tf al we a ho l e o et wo k r m o ey, e u tng i c rt iy; 2) a n if lo d n ury mpl ye o r e t l r s li n a i c ur t r c d oft a e oy e' ho s a ( Pli ifsdie te o e n na c ae e or h t mpl e s ur ; nd 3) a ntf r c mpl ye s r t t Pl ntf wasa poorl epored hat ai i f eader putt com pa atfnanci rs and act , he ny i al i k, ed unpr es i l of sonaly. W ih t ,t bur now s fs t Pl ntf t r t hat he den hit o ai if o ebutt non- e exualr ons he pr t eas ofer by Def ndant W ih r pec t herI or a i Securt vi aton,Pl ntf f ed e s. t es t o nf m ton iy ol i ai if conc edest s vi at t I or a i Securt polcy,buti i t t ot r hat he ol ed he nf m ton iy i ns s s hat he em pl oyeeshavevi at t polc wihoutr i a H ow e r Pl ntf ha not ol ed he i y t epr m nd. ve , ai i f s bot e t i cat t r oft e e pl s who w e e alegedl notr prm anded f her d o ndi e he ace hos m oyee r l y e i or vi atng t polcy.4w ihoutf ct s i ot ol i he i t a s how ng henvie,Pl ntf m er y r i on a s ai if el eles c us y ale ton t ts wastea e l s f abl t ot sout i ofherr oncl or l ga i ha he r t d e s avor y han her s de ace. The ef e,Pl ntf f l t de onsr t any f si catng di c i i i a t f l r or ai if ais o m ta e act ndi i s rm naton, nd hus ais tr o ebutt I or aton Sec iy vi aton as a l gii a e r on f s pe ng and he nf m i urt ol i e tm t eas or us ndi uli at l dem otng he . tm e y i r D ef nt addii l of e ed t i pendent lgii at r ons f de otng enda s tonaly f r wo nde , e tm e eas or m i Pl ntf :he m ihandlng ofa houry e pl ,a poorl ade s p.W ih r pec t ai if r s i n l m oyee nd e r hi t es t o herm i ha i oft houry em pl e,Pl ntf a guest s w asne i or ed t t s ndlng he l oye ai if r hat he ver nf m ha s coul notalow an houry em pl he d l l oyee t wor r m ot y.H ow e ,Pl ntf f l t o k e el ver ai if ais o di put t s di notdevel a s t t acc a el ta t houry em pl e' tm e, s e hat he d op ysem o ur t y r ck he l oye s i 4N o a y,h v r teCo r c ngla fo terc r ta CJOc hiit (ne o e Plitf ctsa a t bl owe e,h u t a e n rm h e od h t c pnia mply e anif ie s n e a l o s me n wh volt dt ep lc wi o trp i a d , sas W hi / u a in x mp e f o o e o i ae h o iy t u e rm n ) i lo t ca c sa . h e 9 and t tasa r ul t empl ha es t he oyee m ir por e hi hour .A st D ef ndant as e ton t t s e td s s o e s' s r i ha s w asapoorl r Pl ntf poi soutt s hascons s e l r cei postve he eade , ai if nt hat he i t nty e ved ii r vi st oughoutheryear a Fe Ex untlhe ta f rt Ut ts m anage e t m . e ew hr st d i r r ns e o se ' m nt ea Howe ,Pl ntf doesnotpr s f s t r ver ai if e ent act o ebutt com pl nt r t by he m os he ai s epored r t rc nte oye s na l t t anif( )f i dt r s leadice nc t tpu Fe e e mpl e , mey,ha Plitf 1 al o e ov e s rpa y ha t d Ex i fn nca rs ( s we alc o i e e ti i e e i ane pa ol s tm ; n i a i l ik; 2) ho d a k f ntr s n mplm ntng w yr l yse a d ( s keu pr e son ly t he s r nae du i he tnu ea M a g rof n 3) po n of s i a l o r ubo di ts rng r e r s na e Fi nce.Uli at y,undert undi put d r cor Pl ntf cannotdem ons r e t her na tm el he s e e d, ai if tat hat de oton w asdue t anyt ng ot rt herpoorper or ance.Pl i ifhast ef e m i o hi he han f m a ntf her or f l d t m eetherbur n unde t M c onnel D ougl fam ewor t r aie o de r he D l as r k o ebutDef ndant ' e s pr f r d non- e ext lr as f dem otng he . of e e pr t ua e ons or i r The Cour nextt nst Pl ntf cl m t tFed Ex dicrm i t a ns he r by t ur o ai ifs ai ha s i na ed gai t r ace f lng t pr ot he t a s ni m a aii o om e r o e or nage entposton.A pl ntf as er i a m ii ai if s tng dic i na i c am f rf iu et p o emus e tbls t t ( )s i ame rofa s rmi ton l i o al r o r mot t sa ih ha ; 1 he s mbe p otce ca s ( s a idfra dwa quai dfraj bfrwhiht e oy r r e td ls ;2) he pple o n s lie o o o c he mpl e wa s e nga ia s ( d s t he q lfc to , hewa rj ce f e oy n ; s e ki pplc nt; 3) e pie r uaiiains s s ee td or mpl me t a ( t e o rc ntnu d t s e a i a swih Pli ifsq lfc to o ti e nd 4) he mpl ye o i e o e k pplc nt t antf ua ii a ins u sd o he pr t ce ca s Lub tk v Ap id Ca d S . I c,29 F.d 1 01 1 5 ( 1h Ci. f r o e t d ls . es y . ple r ys, n . 6 3 3 , 30 1 t r 20 )( ii M c nn lDou a , l U. a 8 ) 02 ctng Do e gl s 4 1 S. t 02 . l t M oton,D ef nt cont t Pl ntf-aist s i f t s n he i knda s end hat ai iff l o ats y he econd and t r pr ng ojaprmaf i d s rmi to c am f rf l et pr mo ebe a ePli if hi o s ï i ac e ic i nai n li o àiur o o t c us antf d l 0 di nota y f t pos ton,and t s d ppl br he ii he ucces f ca da e w a uli at y m or qualse s bl ndi t s tm el e i d. Pl ntf ai ifconce t s di notappl f t poston,buti s st ts di nota y des hat he d y or he ii nsit ha he d ppl bec ause Utett d hers w asnotqualfe How e ,Pl ntf a s ton i r ut by s ol he ii d, ver ai i fs s er i s ef ed t undiput r or f s l ed,t r cor s he s ed ec d àct . nde he e d hows t Pl ntf di notexpr s hat ai i- d f es i ee tt Ute u iov rt l h c rt j posigha cosd fri en l ntrs o s t ntl e wo nonts /e he ob tn d l e o ntr a applcant .The r d f rt confnns t tPl ntf wasaw a e t i i Fe Ex' ofi i i s ecor u her i ha ai if r hat t s d s f c al p iyt po t o va a isfrs v nd y b o eco igi t i ena a pia s The olc o s j b c nce o e e a s efr lsn t o ntr l p lc nt. polc mo e ve sae t tti t e o esrs nsblt t a pl f raj bva a y iy r o r tts ha i s he mplye ' e po iiiy o p y o o c nc ofi e es w ihi t aloted s n da pe i Her t s orm a nt r t t n he l t eve y rod. e, he eni nagem entposton ii waspos e i e naly on Sept ber 1 201 a cl e on Sept be 20,201 l i t d ntr l em 3, 3, nd os d em r 3. t s undi put t Pl i ifdi nots i an a i ton a t tm esand di notconfont s ed hat a ntf d ubm t pplca i t hat i d r Ut e aboutheri er ti t poston untlN ovem ber26,201 M or st nt es n he ii i 3. eover Pl ntf , ai i f adm is i he Decl a i t s di noti taly a y f t poston beca e s had t n r ar ton hat he d nii l ppl br he ii us he n b e itrse i t oba a e ts d. c r i y,ii o nv emi yun s e ot e n nee td n hej s dv rie Ac o dngl t s ve h l ngl diputd t Pl ntf f l d t appl f t s orm anagem entposii Pl ntf t r or t l hat ai if aie o y br he eni ton. ai i- he ef e àis f t saeaprn a i ca m J d s rmi to a t t pr moton. o tt imf c e li br ic i nai n s o he o i Ac odi l Dee nt aee ildt s mmayj dgme a t t c r ngy, fnda s r ntte o u r u nt s o he di c i i ton cl m . s rm na i ai 2. Ret i i alaton W ih r s c t c amsf rr t lai n, pli tf m u tpr vet t ( )s ee a d t e pe t o li o eaito a a n if s o ha : 1 h ng ge i asau o iypr t ce e r s i n; 2)s s f r d a a ve s e o n a to a n tt t rl o e t d xp e so ( he ufe e n d r e mplyme t c i n; nd ( )t ea ve s e oy nta ton wa c u a l lnke t t sa ut iy pr e td 3 h d r e mpl me c i s a s ly i d o he tt orl otc e a t t Ol ta v Ta o Bel 1 1F.d 1 ,1 0 ( 1h Ci.1 8 . r , antf ci y. mse d . c l, 4 3 457 46 1 t r 99 ) He e Pl i if vi alegest s e l hat he ngaged i apr ec ed acton w he s s n ot t i n he oughtt pl e he em pl o ac r oyee, Bet Hars it ahgh r obca sfc to Plitf frhe camst ts es frda ty ri,no i e j lsiiain. anif u t r li ha h ufee n adve s empl e acton w hen s w ass equenty i s d a doc ent couns i re oym nt i he ubs l s ue um ed elng frha n adie te oy ewor ngi a i o r obclsii to Asdic s d o vig rc mpl e ki n n mprpe j a sfcain. s use above a docum ent couns i i notcons de e di ci i a Fed Ex,a t e or , ed elng s i r d s plne t nd her f e doesnotcons iut an a r e e pl e acton.I i w orh notng,how ever t tt e dve s m oym nt i t s t i , hat Pli ifas fist stsyt frtp o o aprmaf cec s f rtlai b c u e antf lo al o aif he is r ng f i a i a e or eaiton e a s Pl i ifdi notengage i a sat or l pr e ed a i t a ntf d n t ut iy ot ct ctviy, Pli ifa s rsta rpo tn Hars j bmica sfc to wa ap otce a tvi antf se t h t e rig ri' o s lsiiain s r e td ci t y bec e Pl i i fbeleve t tHar i wasnotbei pr ot due t bei a A f i aus a ntf i d ha rs ng om ed o ng n rcan A m e i n wom a H oweve ,Pl ntf efors t consr herr r ca n, r ai ifs f t o tue eques t pr ot Be t t o om e ty Ha st ahihe j bca sfc to a ac mplitfrrcal s rmi to ae ni o g r o ls iiain s o an o a i dic i nain r c r t d by t undiput f ct i t r d.The r d s st Pl ntf ne ontovere he s ed a s n he ecor ecor how hat ai i f ver fl a ki ofcom pl ntf dicrm i ton w ih r pe t H a rs.Furt m or ied ny nd ai or s i na i t es ct o r i her e, Pl i ift tfed t tatt tm e s s antf esii ha he i he oughtt r as iy Har i pos ton,Pl ntf ne o ecl s f rs' ii ai if ver m a a m e i w ha s vert Hari aboutdi c i i ton. ken i t lghtm os de ny nton t oe o rs s rm na i Ta n he i t fvo a et h r Pli ifsg dfih, ube tv beifta Ha rs j mica sfc to a rbl o e , antf oo at s j cie le h t ri' ob s lsiiain wa ar s l ofdic i na i i no s fc e ty p o tvet s ppo ta ob e tvey s e u t s rmi ton s t ufiin l r bai o u r n j ci l r s ea onabl i e e t tPl i ife e nf r nce ha a ntf ngage i apr ec ed actviy.I dn ot t i t ndee Pl ntf's d, ai it 1 2 t tm ony alude t no f t w hi m i s es i l so ac s ch ght uppor herconcl i t tH a rsw asbeng t us on ha r i i di c i i ed aga ns on t bass ofherr ce orgende ,and Pl ntf ot r s f l t s rm nat i t he i a r ai if he wi e ais o ciet anyt ng i t r cor whi h woul s t o hi n he e d c d uppor t concl i A c di y,as t hat uson. cor ngl Pl ntf i una et s ai if s bl o how t s was e hat he ngaged i a pr e ed a i t Pl i i fi una e n ot ct ctviy, a ntf s bl t etbihuprmaf i c s f he cam t ts wa rtlae a i ti vilto of o sa ls i ace a e or r li ha he s eaitd gans n oain t Ci lRiht Ac, ndDee da i e ildt s he vi g s ta fn nts ntte o ummayj dg nto t scam, s r u me n hi li a w el. l CO N CLU SI N O l i O RD ER ED ,ADJUD G ED ,a D ECREED t tD ef nt M oton f ts nd ha enda s' i or S umma y J g e ( 22 , , ndt s m ei, r b GR ANTED . s pa ae r ud m nt DE ) be a he a s he e y By e r t Or r t Cour s lent Fi J de , he t hal er nal udgm enton behal ofD ef ndant a agai tPl ntf . f e s nd ns ai if DO NE a OR DER ED i Cha ber att Ja esLawr nce K i Feder J tce nd n m s he m e ng al usi Buidi and U nied St esCourhous i M i i Fl i t s27t da ofJ y,201 l ng t at t e n am , orda, hi h y ul 7. * J M ES LA A N CE KI G N UN I TED STATES D I STRI J DG E U SOUTH ERN D I STRI OF FLORI A CT D Cc: A l couns ofr or l el ec d 1 3
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