O'Brien v. U. S. Postal Service, No. 6:2010cv00054 - Document 18 (W.D. Va. 2011)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Norman K. Moon on June 20, 2011. (sfc)

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r pRrs o- l t.. sm rnlr d cE Js Dl . I ' ATL NŠBUR V Y G A . > # FI LEO IN THE U NI TED STATED D I STRI C OURT CT FOR THE W ESTERN D I STRI OF V I NI CT RGI A LYNCHBURG D I SI VI ON J 22 2 1 uN 01 Ju BY: ' .. - ,. .- DuD .. c . . e , DP C EU L CI L N O. 1 vI 6: 0c700054 LEONORA RODRI GUES O ' E BRI N, Pl nf aitf M EM O RAN D U M OPI I N ON U . POSTAL SERVI S. CE, JUDGE N ORMAN K .M OON De n a t # d n. Thi m a tri be or t c to t De e s te s f e he our n he f ndantsM oton t Dim isf f iur t sa ea ' i o s s or a l e o t t cli purua t Fe R.Ci P.1 b)6)( ke no.1 . t ras t tf l t am s nto d. v. 2( ( doc t 0) For he e ons ha olow,he D ef nda ' m oton w ilbe g an ed. e nts i l r t Plitf Le n r O' in a pe rngprps , a alg dta s wa s be t oie a an if o o a Bre , p ai t e h s le e h t he s u j c t l g l l dic i naor a tonst nbyhe e oye ,heUniedSt esPosalSe vc (( srmi t y ci ake r mpl r t t at t r ie :USPS',i ' n ) vi ai of42U. C.j2000e3() Thi saut fr dsa e oyerfom dici nai a i t olton S. - a . s tt e o bi n mpl r s rmi tng gans a empl e be aus s hasoppos d an unlwf e pl e pr tc O' in aleg t tt n oye c e he e a ul m oym nt ac ie. Bre l es ha he t r i ton ofhe empl e b t U SPS wa i r t la i f he flng a Equa e m na i r oym nt y he s n e ai ton or r ii n l Emply n Op o tnt (t 'c mpan . i cvla to fldb O' ini t o me t p ru iy 1 EEO' o litTh s ii cin ie y Bre s he ) c mi ton ofahit r ofdit uli s r mdi he tmewih t USPS i Lync g;a ul nai so y fk tes urot ng r i t he n hbm s m a y oft e e nt i a f l s um r hos ve s s s olow . Le aO ' i n m o d t Lync g i 2007.Shehad pr vi usy s r ed a ama l onor Bre ve o hbm n e o l ev s i ca re i Calf r a f ni yea s a c e t c i he em pl e w ih t U SPS a tr r i r n i o ni or ne r , nd hos o ontnue r oym nt t he fe ? '1 * a rvi i V igi a. hiem ovi it he new r i nc O' i n as he s r s ra t ri ng n r ni W l ng n o r esde e, Bre ked r upe vio t he pos o fc M it Na e ,i s c dborow adoly t ai he m ove.Na e ofe e t t t fi e, lon ppi r f he oul r l o d r ppir f r d ha hi br he c d hep O' in wih t m ove a pr de he wih hi br he ' phone s ot r oul l Bre t he , nd ovi d r t s ot rs numbe . t hi br he ha hel d O' i movei Na e s r Afer s ot r d pe Bren n, ppir uggese ts ve a tm e 't t t d çe r l i s'ha s go on adimerda ewih hi br he . ' in de lne t ofe , s di notwih t dat he l t t s ot r O Bre ci d he f r as he d s o e a nyone a t tm e. om t tpoi on, ' i n cl m s N a e bega ha as i he by c e tng t he i Fr ha nt O Bre ai , ppi r n r s ng r r ai a hosie w or e r nm e .H e di nota l he t s m e opporunii s a ot m a lc r i r , tl k nvi o nt d low r he a t te s her i a r e s s j ce h rt ds usin wi o tau inse r p e e t d s a a e h rwo kp ro mmwe ube td e o ic so s t u n o twa d r sn , ip rg d e r ef r h , a moc d he f usng aGPS t tnd l atonsa o Lync g. nd ke r or i o i oc i r und hbur Thi ongoi t e t en pr pt d O ' i n t fl a EEO c pl i w ih t U SPS o s ng r a m t om e Bre o i e n om a nt t he n O c obe 22, t r 2008. n r pons t t s c pl i , he U SPS c I es e o hi om a nt t onduc ed an i tga i t nves i ton, i e viwi USPS e oye a Lync g pos ofi sr ga di e h cli putf t by ntr e ng mpl es t hbur t fce e r ng ac am orh O' in.On Aprl1 201 t USPS is d isfna a nc de ii fndi t tt he Bre i 2, 0, he s ue t i l ge y c son, i ng ha t t e de doe nots vi nce s uppor afndi t tt a tonsi i nt c ai d of( s rt a nont i ng ha he ci /ncde s ompl ne dicee nd dicet) eiheri vi lyorc l tvey,os t t lvelofdicrmi t yha a s t' sr e , t ndi dual oleci l r e o he e s i naor r smen . ' O ' i n tm el a Br e i y ppea ed t de i i t t U . Eq Em pl ym e O pporuniy C o m i s on, l he c s on o he S. ual o nt t t m si whih afime t fndi a r lng oft U SPS. N o mbe 1 201 a oxi t l t c fr d he i ngs nd u i he On ve r 8, 0, ppr ma ey wo mont a trt de i i oft EqualEmplyme Opporuniy Co mis o , O' i n r ceved hs fe he c son he o nt t t m s i n Bre e i aN o i ofRe tce mova , ch ct d i pr rco uc a uns ts a t y pe f ma easr s l whi ie m ope nd t nd a if c or r or nc ea ons f rhe tr i ton ofe pl e wih t USPS. O' in fl t i t ntc o r e m na i m oym nt t he Bre ied he nsa ompli wih t s ant t hi Cour fveda a trhe r e ptoft No i ofRe ti ys fe r ec i he tce moval . A lhough O ' i n' pl adi a e no s lf ly c afe , Im us be s i t ofhe c a m s t Br e s e ngs z t kil u l r t d t olcious r li be a eS ei appear ng pro se. Go do v. ee e, F. 1 47 1 51( hci.1 .Thi i c us h s r n f k 574 2d 1 N 1 4t r 978) s Co ti c r wih lbe aly consnlng apladi fl by apr s ltga f rt ur s ha ged t i r l t i e ng ied o e ii nt o he de lpme ofapotntalymeioro cli Boa v Mac veo nt e i l rt ius am. g . Dougal, 4U. 364, 65( 982) l45 S. 1 ( rctim) TheFourhCic tha as notdt tdititc t ç tbees i l s i t pe trn . t r ui s lo e ha src ours l mus pecal olcious ofc vi rght pl i if .' Gor i l i s a ntf s ' don,574 F. at11 . 2d 51 if pu p s o aRul 1 ( )6 moini t ts tes fce c o ac mpa t' n the r o e f e 2 b ( ) to s o e th uf in y f o li , a d ' S houl onl be g a e i , tr a ce i a lw el- e de a l ga i i t pl i if t s d y r nt d f afe c ptng l lpl a d le tons n he a ntf c ompli a tue ...i a a sce t n t tt pli ifc ant s r t ppe r rai ha he antf annotpr a s toff c si s ove ny e at uppor t o hscam e tti hi t rle . Edwa d v Ci o ls o o, 7 F.d2 , 4 - 4(t f i li n il m o eif' ng ' r s . t fGod b r 1 8 3 31 2 3 4h y Ci.1 .Alhougha1r a onabl i ee saedrwni f oft pl ntflun arnt r 999) t l es e nfrnce r a n avor he ai it ra ed i e enc s a unr s bl c us ons do notne t be ac e e ast ue. e e Ch v ol t nf r e nd ea ona e oncl i ed o c pt d r N m t r e, Lt. . n u rfar .o f c, 91F.d25 25 ( t Ci. 0 9 ; a r tnov J h s n d v Co s me af isc m, n .5 3 0, 3 4h r 2 0 ) Giraa . n o , 5 F. 298,302( h Ci. ) Thec antmus bedimis i i doesno al eC nough 21 3d 4t r 2008 . ompli t s sed f t t le û e f t t sa eacl m t r le t ti pl usbl on isf ce'BelAt.Cor v Twombl 50U . acs o t t ai o ei f ha s a i e t a .' l l p. . y, S. 5 570,1 S. .1 1 4 ( 44, 27 Ct 955, 97 2007) A cl m i plusbl i t c an c ansEf t . ai s a i e f he omplit onti acual c t ntt talowst c t o dr w t r as bl i e e et tt de enda i la ef t on e ha l he our t a he e ona e nf r nc ha he f nt s ib or he m iconduc alege 'and i t r i t et n a s erpos i lt t a de enda hasace s t l d,' f he e s d mor ha he sbiiy hat f nt td unl wf l 'As r .j v l b , - U. --,-- 1 9 SCt 1 3 1 49( 0 9 . nd cd'gaRul a uly.' hc o t . q al-- S. -- --, 2 . . 9 7, 9 2 0 ) I e i e 1 b)6)moton,ac tmus viw t matri co e ,d a ngoncommons ns d 2( ( i our t e he te n ntxt r wi e e e xpere e. qb ,1 S. . 1 i nc I al 29 Ct at 950. û ked a s r i 'l cki tf t r f c ua e A t na s e ton' a ng turhe a t l nh c m e ' e nt' i nota a s n dequaecam frr le .d.quotngTwombl 550U. a 555,1 S. .a 9 . t li o eif 1 ( i y, S. t 27 Ct t 66) II. 3 O' i n as e t t the t na i ofe pl e wih t USPS wasi rt iton f r Bre s rs ha r enni ton m oym nt t he n eala i o herflng a EEO co pl ntale ng di crm i t y t ea m e ti vi a i ofTil V1 . To ii n m ai l gi s i na or r t n n ol ton te 1 l pr valonhe r t lai c am ,O' in mus s ts yt t ee sep pr s hemeesa ihe i e i r e ai ton l i Bre t a if he hr - t oof c t bls d n M c n el u l sCor v Gr e , 1U. 7 2 8 2 0 , 1 7 ) S t v Fis UninNa . Do n lDo g a p. . e n 41 S. 9 , 0 - 4 ( 9 3 . mih . rt o t Bank, F. 234, ( hCi. ) Thefrtrquie 202 3d 248 4t r 2000 . is e rmentoft sfa wor i t tO' in hi rme k s ha Bre make o aprmafaci c s ofr aiton.d I i welesa ihedi t scr uit tt t ee s ut i e a e etlai I t s l tbls n hi ic t ha he hr eeme sofaprmafaci r t iton cai unde Til V1 ae( )enga nti aprtce l nt i e ealai l m r te I r 1 geme n oe td a tvt ( ) d es e ly n a to , n ()ac u a l kbewe ntep oe tda tvt a d cii 2 a v re mpo me t cin a d 3 a s l i t e h r tce cii n y, n y t e ly n a to S e eg , lma v Mayln Co r o pe l, 2 F.d 1 7 1 0(t he mp o me t ci n. e , .. Coe n . r a d u t fAp as 6 6 3 8 , 9 4h Ci. 0) Prc v.Thomps 380F.d209, 2( hCi.2004) Dowev.Tot Aci Agai t r 201 ; ie on, 3 21 4t r ) al ton ns Pov ry i Roanok Vale 1 F. 653,656( hCi.1 ( ogatdb Buri onA(tr et n e ly, 45 3d 4t r 998) abr e y lngt f Sant FeRy.v Whie,548U. 5 68,1 S. . e . t S. 3, 26 Ct2405, 5( 241 2006:. trt pl ntf ha Afe he ai if s ma eo t i a i c s ,h b r e s it t t e l y rt pr d c algtmae d u aprmaf ce a e te u d n hfs o he mp o e o o u e e ii t, no s rmi t y r s f t a s a ton. t 202 F. a 248.The bur n t r t z ndic i naor ea on or he dvere ci Smih, 3d t de hen etm s t t pl ntf , o he ai if who mus de t monsr t t tt e pl r sas e t r as n f t a r ea ton tae ha he m oye ' s red e o or he dve s c i wasm e e y pr e f a r ala or a m us I r l et xt or et i t y ni . d O' ins tsista frt wop o so aprma a i c s o d s rmiaoy rtl to Bre aife h t is t r ng f i f ce a e f ici n t r eai in. a He flng ofa EEO c r ii n ompl ntwaspr ece a tviy unde Til Vl , ie,380 F. a 21 ai ot td ci t r te 1 Prc 3d t 2, an he tnni ton wa a adve s e pl d r e na i s n r e m oymenta i Dowe 1 F. at656- Conve s l cton. , 45 3d 57. r e y, t t r rquie ntofapri he hid e rme mafacecam,ac usllnkbet ent EEO compl nta he i li a a i we he ai nd r t m i ton,i w holy l ng f om O ' en' com pl nt er na i s l acki r Bri s ai . lI he EEO c pli , O' inalg dta s ewa sbe tdt dsrmi to a dhaa s n o t b sso n r om ant Bre l e h t h s u jce o ici nain n rsme t n he a e f e rc , aina o i n sx, g , n rjrslI at ry nnep g t l g n yd cso ,h US fu dta te ae n to l rgi, e a e a d e ia.n hit- i a e i a e c e iin te PS o n h th na evi epr e e byM s. Bre dl nots r afndig t ta oft aci and i de scompl nedof denc es ntd O' in d uppo t i n ha ny he tons nci nt ai r et t lvelofdicrmi t y ha a s nt On a l t EEOC aftmedt age y decso dee mi ngt t os o he e s i naor r s me . ppea, he fr he nc iin, tr ni ha O' infi dt ma eaprmaf cec s o dsrmiaino t b sso rc , to a o ii, e a e o rp ia. Bre al o k e i a i a e f ici n to n he a i f a e nain l rgn sx, g , r e rsl 4 To s tsy t ca a iy r r m e ofar prs lcl m,t e oyermus havetke t ai f he us lt equie nt e ia ai he mpl t a n he e pl e a i bec e t pl i ifenga d i a pr e e a tviy. owe 1 F. a 656. m oym nt cton aus he a ntf ge n ot ct d c i t D , 45 3d t t nc by de i ton,a e oye ca t e, si fnii n mpl r nnott kea i bec us ofaf c orofwhi h i i unawa e a cton a e at c ts r, t e pl ye ' know l dge t t pl i ife ge i apr ec ed a i t i abs ut l he m o r s e hat he a ntf nga d n ot t ctviy s ol e y n e s r t esa ih t t r e e ntoft prma f i c e'1 E mpl r'i t sc nt xt ec s a y o t bls he hid l me he i ac e as .' d.f oye ' n hi o e r est t patc a s r s t)rs i ef rt a ree oymentadi Se i ks e efr o he riulr upe viors e ponsbl o he dve s mpl on. e d. e as Ho ln v Wa hn t nHo s l c, 8 F.d20 , 9( t Ci. 0 )( li ta t lo la d . s ig o me, n .4 7 3 8 21 4h r 20 7 hodng h t o e tbls aprmafacertlai c e,t pli ifmus pr t t cii ke 'ha sa ih i i eaiton as he antf t ove he t sonma r' d de knowl ofhi pr e tda i t .nt sc e,herlva C ii edge s otce ctviy) l hi as t ee nt t sonmakes' e m t beTed dec r's e o Be la Re c Cly, het s vior who sgne O' in' NotceofRe ova . O' in l nd bec a a t wo uper s s i d Bre s i m l Bre na e bot t e i vi l i he c pl i ,2butdoesnota l ge t te t rw asawa e s ha m s h hes ndi dua s n r om a nt le ha ihe r he d fl d a EEO co pl ntwhen t y s gne t N otc ofR e oval I f t O ' i n doesnot ie n m ai he i d he ie m . n ac , Br e a lget ta nea t pos ofi e kne s ha fl d anEEO c le ha nyo t he t tc w he d ie ompl nt Ast scic thas ai . hi r ui he d t ta s vi or sknowl dge oft pl i if spr e t d ac i t i ç ol el ne es a y' l ha uper s ' e he a ntf ot c e tviy s û abs ut y c s r ' t e tbiha i f cec s a ans t ee o e , we 1 F.da 6 6,h a snc o ti o sa l prma a i a e g i t h mply r Do , 45 3 t 5 t e b e e f h s s eeme fom O' i n' c l nt ' r Bre s ompli i a glrng o iso a nt s a i m s in. Abs ntt e pl r sdie tknowldge, e e he m oye ' r c e t mpor pr m iy oft pr e t d aci t a al oxi t he otc e tviy nd t a r e e pl ym e a ton i ofe pr f r d a c r s a i e de ofa c us l he dve s m o nt c i s t n of e e s icum t ntal vi nce a a c m ec i n be we t t o e nt . e e g. Le te iv Equ I , ol to t en he w ve s Se , . , ti r . ant nc 478 F.3d640, (t Ci. 650 4h r 2 0 ) Prc , 0F.da 21 ) n v Ru f l, 2 F.d 1 ,1 (t Ci. 0 3 . re a l, 0 7 ; ie 38 3 t 3 Kig . msed 3 8 3 45 51 4h r 2 0 ) Fo x mp e a em pl r sknow l n oye ' edge co ed w ih a adve s a ton t n a t fr toppo t t c n upl t n r e c i ake t he i s r uniy a s tsyt c us tonr uie nto aprmafacer t ito cli Prc 380F. a 213. aif he a ai eq rme f i i ealain am. ie, 3d t On 2Pl ntf' co pl ntls st ky' a a i vi i ved i he dic r . ai ifs m ai it t Bec ' s n ndi dual nvol n r s ha ge t o he ha t pa s oftmege r ly negaesa i e e eofdic i i to 1 he t r nd,he s age i ne a l t n nf r nc s rm na i n. d. (ef ngt ani t t mont lps ) SeealoCausy v Bal 1 F. 795,803( h Ci. r eni o ne o en h a e. s e . og, 62 3d 4t r 1 ( di t tat re nmont i eva bewee a e oyeeflnga EEO c antan 998) hol ng ha hite h ntr l t n n mpl ii n ompli d hi tr nai i t lngatmet esabls c atonabs ot re de ofrtlai . s e mi ton s oo o i o t ih aus i ent he vi nce eaiton) Alhough alr t t a ge empor gap bewee apl i ifspr e t d a i t a a r ee oyme al t n antf ' ot c e ctviy nd dve s mpl nt a ton we kenshe dam ,i i no ne s miy f t .t n c eswhe e tempor lpr m iy ci a r i t s t ce s l aal i as l r t a oxi t be we n pr e e ac i t a alege y r a it y c t e ot ctd tviy nd l dl etla or onduc i misng, t s s i coursmay l t t t ook o he i e v ni perodf ot revi nceofrtlat yanmus'' ete i478F. at650( i ntr e ng i or he de eai or i .'f tir, 3d quotng Fa r l v Pln e sL# s v r Co , 6F.d2 , 81( dCi. 0 :. r el . a tr a es .20 3 71 2 3 r 20 0 l t i t ntc e,O ' i n t l d he EEO c pl i w ih t U SPS on O c obe 22,2008. n he ns a as Br e i e r om a nt t he t r O ve t o ye r t n pa s d bef e t U SPS no ii O ' i n ofherpe ng t m i ton on rw a s he s e or he tfed Br e ndi er na i No vembe 18 201 m uc t l a tm et pr dea i er nc ofa c us co c i r , 0, h oo ong i o ovi ny nf e e a al nne ton bewe n t e nt . hie O' in alege t tdtrng t pe i afe s fl d he EEO c e t e he ve s W l Bre l s ha li he rod tr he ie r as , he s pei sleaitdme(i)mor'bycalnghe i ot ofieandnotalowi hert do r u ror s tlae r sc e' li r nt he fc l ng o i t( r postone al ( r t dos'hi pori oft c antconai nofcua co e û wha he l ii ntis hej o 't s ton he ompli t ns a t l ntnt t tca r i e he c e i t t l ve ofpl us biiy. Tw om bl 55 U . a 570,1 S. . ha n a s < ont ntons o he e l a i lt Sce y, 0 S. t 27 Ct a1 t 974. Sheofe sno da e orpa test e nt c tt i r t i or te t fr ts ri o ve s onsiutng ealat y r a ment l d,i . ndee t s em st onl evi nc t tO ' i n' t m i ton w a c us ly conne t d t t EEO e he y de e ha Br e s er na i s a al c e o he c pli i t o ni ofO' i n he s f Thi cic tha he dt t4 pli ifsown s lom ant s he pi on Bre r el. s r ui s l ha : a ntf a ef s vi opi o , bs ta hi mor aei ufk intt etbls lprmafaci caeof er ng nins a en nyt ng e, r ns t e o sa ih i e s dici nai 'Mac y v. al 3 F. 463, ( hCi. srmi ton. ' ke Shal a, 60 3d 468 4t r 2004) Ac di l O' i ha . cor ngy, Bren s f ie t sa eada m f r t lai .3 al d o t t i or e a iton 11 1. Fort r s sa edhe ei De e he ea ons tt r n, f ndan ' M oton t Dimi swilbe GRAN TED wihout ts i o s s l t p eu iei a a c mpa yi Or e . rj dc n n c o n ng d r The Clr oft Cou ti dr ctd t s nda c rii c oft sM e or ndum Opi o e k he r s ie e o e e tfed opy hi m a ni n and a co pa ng Or rt a1c c m nyi de o l ouns lo r c d a t t Pl i if e f e or nd o he antf . ' a tue Ent r d t s7(V-dyo Jn, 2011. e e hi e ' NO K. OO M UN I TED STATES D I STRI J GE CT UD 3I t at na i t t smoton t dimis teDee d n mo e frsz r u g ntAl o g n t n he ler tve o hi i o s s , h fn a t v s o l mmayj d me . t u h o h c n iee i t sRue1 ()6 rve ln t t th US ha atc ltdlgtmae n n ici n tr ra o s o sd rd n hi l 2b () e iw, oe ha te PS s riuae e ii t, o dsrmiaoy e s n f risacin,s tsyi isbur n a or ngt M c o t to aif ng t de cc di he DonnelDougl fa l as rmewor Smih,202 F. a 248. k. t 3d t As deaiedi t Notc ofRe t l n he ie mova,O' i fie t dei rdoz ofpi e ofFis Cl sM ai,a cumul ed l Bren ald o lve ens ec s rt as l c at o et wi u a to iain u e h rc lp o o tejb, n fi dt o e tafclwswhl o h rrue . v ri t t uh rz to , s d e el h ne n h o a d al o b y rfi a me ho e ie n e o ts (e De ' Mo.oDimis2)Fu temoe ta Noieo Re v leee c saLetrof aniga dasv n d y S e fs tt s s . rh r r,h t tc f mo a rfrn e te W r n n e e - a s pe i ladi up t t USPS' decso t tr na eO' in' e oyme ; h oft e i tnce oc tre us nson e ng o he S iin o e mi t Bre s mpl nt bot hes nsa s clr d b fr O' intldh rEEO c mpan.1 Ex. 5. Bre h ref n tigyspp rst US Sd nil f eoe Bre ie e o lit(d, 1 ) O' in eslu wit l u o t he PS' e a o n a rt it r a musr r ngt EEO c ny eala o y ni egadi he ompl nt Thef ure al wrte byUSPS ma ge ai . o m is itn na mentt ts ofe s ha he fr a e de s ri he cai wee als ntmont beor s fl herEEO c s vi nce uppo tng r l m r l e hs f e he ied ompl nt Thi c imst t ai . s onfr ha disaif ci ove O' in' a ltesasamalcare e se pro t - a notasar ul of-he flng t EEO s ts a ton r Bre s biii i rir xitd ir o nd es t r ii he c pli .O ' in doe notc e t ta oft U SPS' r as f he tr i i a epr e ual om ant Bre s ontnd ha ny he S e ons or r em naton r etxt .

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