Foster et al v. Gold & Silver Private Club, Inc. et al, No. 7:2014cv00698 - Document 79 (W.D. Va. 2015)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 12/8/15. (eot)

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CLERK' OFFCQ U, . ST. S I S Df COURT AT ROANOKE, VA FC E L8D DEC 99 2 1 25 I TH E UN I N TED STATES D I STRI CO URT CT FO R TH E W ESTERN DI STRI O F V I N I CT RGI A ROA N OK E D I SI VI ON TI FOSTER, ta. A e 1, JU . D FY, D CLERK BY: - U ClE . RM t ) Ci lA cton N o.7: vi i 14CV 00698 Pl i if , a ntf s M EM O M ND U M O PIN IO N GOLD & SI LVER PRI VATE CLUB, NC. l , etal, . H on. l n E. Ge Conr ad ChifUnie St t Diti tJ e td aes src udge D ef nda s e nt . Thi coleci a tonu rt FaiLa St r Ac (I s l tve ci nde he r bor andads t CFLSA' i pr sntybeor t ' s e e l f e he ) c ur o t eplitfs moinf r ril u r j d me t Fo t era o sst o t b lw,h o t n h an if ' to o pata s mmay u g n . r h e s n e f rh eo te m oto w ilbe g a e i pa ta d ni d i pa t in l r nt d n r nd e e n r . Fact Background ual The f l i f t ar eihe undi pu e or whe e di put a e pr s nt d i t lg olow ng ac s e t r s t d , r s ed, r e e e n he i ht mo t fv rbl t t e d f n a t. Se To a v Cotn, 1 4 S.Ct 1 61 1 6 ( 01 ) s a o a e o h e e d ns e ln . t o 3 . 8 , 86 2 4 ( empha i ngt tc t mus viw t e de ons szi ha ours t e he vi nce ummayj r udgme i t lg mos fvorbl ntn he iht t a a e t t nonmovi pa t) o he ng ry . Pl n i f Ti Foser Je sca Hobb, e s c Re Sha t H ughe ,a Ter s H i rw or ai t f s a t , s i J s i a ed, nia s nd e a ne k, orha wor a e i danc r a t Gol & Sive PrvaeCl (s C1 ' i Roa ve ked, s xotc es t he d l r i t ub dhe ub' n noke, t ) V igi a The Cl i m a r ni . ub s nage by Sou hw e t Vi g ni I sm e s I . of w hi h B il H . d t s r i a nve t nt , nc , c ly Foster et al v. Gold & Silver Private Club, Inc. et al Doc. 79 H a bou i t pr s de a s e s r hol e . The Cl sbookkee ng i pe f m e by J m A . r r s he e i nt nd ol ha e d r ub' pi s r or d ol Ca tr who i oneoft e pa t r i Twi Pe ksLLC, c l ne t Cl $ 000 i 2006 re , s hr e rne s n n a whih oa d he ub 420, n and cur enty hol t m ort r l ds he gage on t pr he opert y. Dockets.Justia.com The Cl i a is a a r c e ton c ub t t e our s s a i ng,c m i i a ub s ûoci l nd e r a i l ha nc age oci lzi o- nglng, nd f l w s p a ong m e be s' who S e bound t t r by a a ec a i of a ts i e i elo hi m m r ,' k ar oge he n ppr i ton r i tc xotc da i ' M e be s p A p i to For , oc tNo.61 6 a 3. M embe sa er quie t sg nc ng. ' m r hi plca i n m D ke - t r r e rd o in a a i a i f r t s t f t t Cl s l e . The r espr bi m e be s f om us ng f ul n pplc ton o m hat e s orh he ub' ul s ul ohi t m r r i o l nguag t hi t Cl s da er , i a t ofr or ng de c orc um i a c hol a e, ouc ng he ub' nc s usng ny ype ec di vi e, ons ng l o on t pr m ies M e ber m a pur has nonal oholc be r s f o t ba a t Cl he e s . m s y c e c i ve age r m he r t he ub. The Cl s da e s w or f o e t r 7: p. .t 11 00 p. .o 10: p. .t 3: a. . ub' nc r k r m ihe 00 m o : m r 00 m o 00 m They a epad wih tpsfom da espe f m e on sa and wih m o y r ceved f pe f mi r i t i r nc ror d t ge t ne e i or ror ng çc h da es' TheClb s t t e h da ef ea $20.0, c i s i be we n t Cl a *ouc nc . ' u e s he ouc nc e t 0 whih s plt t e he ub nd t da r . Addii l f re r s f wor d,t da e sa e r quie t pa a $100 ATM he nce s tonaly, o ve y hit ke he nc r r e r d o y . fe a d a j k b x mu i fe l l u o a j k bo te Clb man ans a s b cito wih e n u e o / sc e . n i f u e x, h u e iti u s rp in t Rha ody. om , a onlne m us c s r a i s r c . The da r utlze t m us c s r m i ps c n i i - t e m ng e vi e nce s ii he i - tea ng s r ce t pl y t s e vi o a he ongs t ta om pa t i pe f ha cc ny he r r onnanc s e. Ea h of t Cl s da e s i r quie t s gn a ' nde nde con r c or a e m e , c he ub' nc r s e r d o i n t pe nt t a t gr e nt' i ' w hi h ls s t d t on whi h t da e w as û r d. I pe nt Con r c or A gr m e , c it he a e c he nc r k e ' nde nde hi ' ta t ee nt D oc tN o.61 6 a 1. The ag ee e pr vi s i pe tne pa t a f l s ke - t r m nt o de , n r i nt r, s olow : W her a ,t Co r c o a r e t pe f m a t Com pany l a i a a e i e s he nt a t r g e s o r or t he oc ton s n xotc da r a a1 tmesa a i pe ntco r c or Shei fe t c nce , t l i s n nde nde nta t . s r e o hoos he da t e r ys o w o k a m us pr d he own cosum e . She s e t he own s r nd t ovi e r t s el c s r ongs . . ors a . f t ge da esa c os s he ownda er i s Alot Contacora e st wor nc nd hoE e l r nc outne . s he r t gr e o k f ls fs f l i Com pa gui lnes ul hi t , olow ng ny de i . W he ea ,a a 1tm e ofope a i t Conta orw ilr e ve and ke a 1ofhe r s tl i s r tons he r ct l ec i ep 1 r tpsr c ve whie pe f m i on sa a a e i da e . Fu t nnor s i t i e ei d l r or ng t ge s n xotc nc r r he e he s o ke p oneha fo t f f e c a e r pr va e ç uch da e ' r or e by he , e l f he ee or a h nd ve y i t i co nc ' pe f m d r except f t colecton of any and al f ow ed t t Com pany by t or he l i l ees o he he Co r c or i udi bu notlm ic t t daiy A TM a J box f e ,t c r nt a t , ncl ng t i t d o he l nd uke e s o ove t ec t,(ndjaloan fne orohe moniss ma owet t Compan hos oss a s yi s t r e he y o he y. I d. Ov r h ls s v r l e r, a c r h v b e s be tov ro fn s t mo t o no e t e a t e ea y a s d n e s a e e n u j c t aius i e ,he s c mmo f whi w er f l ng w or eary i vi aton oft Cl s r es. l addii t w orki a f l ch e or eavi k l n ol i he ub' ul n ton o ng ul s f ,da er a e r quied t r f a n f o c um i a c hi t nc s r e r o e r i r m ons ng l oholo d ugs a ca be s pe d f r r , nd n us nde or vi l tng t s r e. The Cl al o, at va i s tm e , has pr bie da r ' bo r e o a i hi ul ub s r ou i s ohi t d nce s yf i nds o r s gnii a ot r fom be ng a l e i t Cl a ha di c plne da e s f vi a i t s i f c nt he s r i low d n he ub, nd s s i i d nc r or ol tng hi nle. l ProceduralH i orv st On De embe 22,201 Fose , c r 4, t r Hobb,a Ree fld a i talc nd d ie n nii ompl i agans t Cl ant i t he ub, Ha bo ,Sout r ur hwes Vi gi a l s m e s a M el ns l ,a l ng t tt de e t r ni nve t nt , nd o , nc. legi ha he f ndan s f ie t t a ld o c ompl wih t mi mum wa r quie e soft FLSA. On Aprl17,201 a a y t he ni ge e r m nt he i 5, n mende d com pl i w ast l d t adde Hughesa H i raspl i if . a nt i e hat d nd ne a ntf s On M ay 6,201 t co tgr nt d t pl ntf s m o i n f c t o ce tt c ton a a 5, he ur a e he ai if ' t o or ondii nal rii a i s c l c i a ton and f no i e t po e i l c as m em be s w hi h w a unoppos d by t ole tve c i or tc o t nta l s r, c s e he d fn a s J h nn Ph liss b e u n l on dt a to a a o ti plitf. ee d nt. o a a ilp u s q e tyj ie he ci n s n p - an if n On J 1 201 t pli if fldas c a ndedc une 2, 5, he antfs ie e ond me ompli t whih a dCa tra a a n , c dde re s de e nt On Se e ber 1 201 t pl i if tl d a t r a e f nda . pt m , 5, he a ntf s i e hid m nded c pl i t w hi h adde a om a n , c d c ai f r t la i i vi a i oft FLSA . l m or e a i ton n ol ton he Th plitfs fld a moi n f rp rils mmay j d me to Se tmbe 3 ,2 5 i e an if i e to o at u t u g n n pe r 0 01 , n a w hi h t y as t c t o fnd i t i f vo o t f l i i s s c he k he our t i n he r a r n he olow ng s ue : W he he t pl i if a e i pe ntco r c or ore pl sf pur esoft t r he a ntf s r nde nde nt a t s m oyee or pos he FLSA ; W het t e i i vi and/ ent pri coverage undert FLSA ; her her s ndi dual or er se he 3. W het Sout estV igi a l t ent ,H ar ,and Cart qualf ast her hw r ni nves m s bour er iy he pl i if 'e pl ye sf pur e oft FLSA ;a a ntf s m o r or pos s he nd 5. W he hert def nda sw iluly vi at d t FLSA . t he e nt lf l ol e he Th c u thed a he rn o t e plitfs mo in frpa t ls mma y j g n o e or l ai g n h an if ' to o ri u r ud me t n a Nove be 9,201 Them o i hasbe n f l bref a i rpe f r e . m r 5. ton e uly i ed nd s i or eviw St andard ofR e ew vi An a r o s mmay j d me ti a p o rae ûft e mo a ts o t tt r i n wad f u r u g n s p r p it ' h v n h ws ha hee s o i g n i ed s u ea t a ymae ilfc a dt mo a t se t ldt j d me ta amatroflw. e u n ip t s o n tra a t n he v n i ni e o u g n s te a ' t ' Fe R. v. 5 () t ds uei g n iei û ra o a l j r c ud rt r av r itf rte d. Ci P. 6 a . t ip t s e un f a e s n be u y o l eun e dc o h A nonmovi pa t '' Li rain Pa t ofVa. J 71 F. 308,31 ( hCi. )( uotng ng ry.' be tra ry v. udd, 8 3d 3 4t r 2013 q i Dulneyv.Pa kaci Cop . Am.673F. 323,330(t Ci.201 ) 1 fc i mae ili i a c ng of , 3d 4h r 2). t a t s tra f t A ' ghtafctheoutomeoft s tunde t goveni 1w.' J ,( i Ande s v. be t mi fe t c he ui r he r ng a '' #- quotng ron Li ry Lobby.nc.477U. 242,248( 986). l , S. 1 ) l c n ie igamo inf rs mmayj d me tt ec u'mus v e t erc r i t elg t n o sd rn to o u r u g n ,h o l t iw h e o d n h ih t m os f vor e t t nonmovi pa t Toln,1 S.Ct a 1 66. To w ihsa a s ma y t a abl o he ng ry. a 34 .t 8 t t nd um r j me moin,heno udg nt to t nmovi parymus pr uc s fce e de fom whiharas bl ng t t od e ufiint vi nce r e e ona e j y c ud rtr av r c i t a p ry sfv r An es nv Li e t Lo b ,lc, 7 U. 2 2 ur o l eu n edit n h t a t' a o . d ro . b ry b y n .4 7 S. 4 , 248 ( 986) ( l or o s c ai ale tonsdo no s fc ,no doesaC r s i il of 1 . C us y r pe ultve lgai conc t ufie r mee cntla e de e'i s vi nc n uppor of(henonmovi pat s c e. Tho on v.PoomacElc.Powe Co. t t ng ry'l as ' ' mps t e r , 31 F. 645 649 ( hCi.2002)( tngPhilpsv, Trns ,l ,1 F. 285,287( h 2 3d , 4t r quoi li CSX a p. nc. 90 3d 4t Ci.1 ) r 999). D i si scus on (f e FLSA i bes unde sood ast û i m um wa / xi t' -h s t rt he m ni ge ma mum hour lw.' Tr i v. a '' e o Ry nHos tlt Pr .l .795F. 442, ( hCi.201 ( i Mona v. ma piaiy ops. nc, 3d 446 4t r 5) quotng han Count of y Chesefel 95F. 1 1 ( hCi.1 ) tne ci t FLSA,Congrs itnde 'o tri d, 3d 263, 266 4t r 996). t na tng he l e s ne d t pr ec a 1 c r w o ke s f om s t nda d w a ot t 1 ove ed r r r ubs a r ges a o e sve w or ng hour .' I nd ppr s i ki s '' d. ( i Bar i v.Ar ns - tFrihtSyssl ,450 U. 7 739 ( 981 . Thus a quotng mntne ka asBes eg . nc. S. 28, 1 ) ,s rlva her,t Ac ma tsami mum wa f c rde oye ,29U. C.j206() and ee nt e he t ndae ni ge or ovee mpl es S. a, pr desa c us ofac i f rvi a i oft spr vii ovi a e ton o ol tons hi o s on. Se 29U. C. 21 b) e S. j 6( . 1. Em pl ovee D eterm i i naton Th frtis cr ie i tep an if' to f r a ta s mmayj dg n i wh t r h e is su as d n h litfs moin o p ril u r u me t s ehe t e pl i tf sar em pl yee w ihi t m ea ng oft FLSA . The FLSA de i s a ' m pl e' as a n if e o s t n he ni he fne n ç e oye ' C ny i vi e o d by a e oye.' 29 U. C.j 203() 1. I a ton,t veb ' ndi dual mplye a n mpl r' S. e () n ddii he r d m pl ' sde i d û xpans ve y t m ea û uf e orpe m i t wor '' N a i i M u . ns Co. i oy' i fne û e e i l o n s fr r to k.' tonw de t I . v.Dade 503 U. 31 326 ( 992)( i 29U. C.j203( ) il e edei tonsbr de r n, S. 8, 1 quotng S. g). d- s tnii -h oa n (hemea ngo Cmpl e't c rs g kes whomi tnotq lf ass hund asrc t ni f e oye o ove ome wor rq gh uaiy uc er tit a iai ofta tonala ncyL c r t lw prncpls.' Sch t v.Ca t ItlSe .nc. pplc ton rdii ge or ontacl a i i e '' ulz pial n ' c.I , 466F. 298,304( hCi. 3d 4t r 2006)( tngDaden,503U. a 326) quoi r S. t . l o de t de e m i whe he a wor i a e pl e ora i pe ntc r n r r o t r ne t r ker s n m oye n nde nde ontadorunde r t FLSA , he c tm us c i rt t onom i r ltes' t r l tons p be w e n t w or r he t our t ons de he i ec c ea ii ' of he e a i hi t e he ke and t puai e o r rt rt n a lbel usd by t pa test eves J ;se as he ttve mplye, ahe ha ny a s e he ri hems l . #a e lo Rut ror Food Cor v.M c hef d p. comb,331U. 72 729 ( 9 )(s hee t wok done i is S. 2, 1 47 ç r he r W ,n t es e ,f l st us lpa h ofa e pl e, tng on a Snde nden co r c or l beldoe s nce olow he ua t n m oye puti n i pe t nt a t ' a s nottket wor rfom t pr e ton oft Ac.) Thecux oft sa yssi whehe t a he ke r he otci he t'. ' r hi nal i s t r he wor ri Ce onomialyde nde ont busnes t whih (he rndess r c ori, samatr ke s tc c l pe nt he i s o c s l e r evie s a te ofe onomi ge iyj i b i sfrr rsl ' Sc t,466F. at304 (ntr ctto and c c ralt , n usnes o hejef' hulz 3d i enal iain quottonmaksomit ) ai r ted . Cour s ha de l d a sx-ac or t t t de e m i whe he t e t ve ve ope i f t es o t r ne t r he conom i r lte c ea ii s i c t t a w o ke i a e pl e or a i pe nt c r c or l Thos f c or a e as ndi a e hat r r s n m oye n nde nde ont a t . d. e at s r f l s olow : ( )t de eeofc r t t puai empl rha ove t ma eri whih 1 he gr ontolhat he ttve oye s r he nn n c t wor i pefr d:( t wor rso t te f pr i orl sde nde he k s ro me 2) he ke ' pporuniis or oft os pe nt o (ejma a eil kl ()tewoke' iv sme ti e i n o maeilo n h r n g ra s il 3 h r rs n et n n qujme t r tra, r ; g ej mp o me t f te wokes ( ) h d g e o s i rq le f rtewo k ( ) h r e ly n o oh r r r;4 t e e re f kl e ur d o h r ; 5 l t pemane e of t wor ng r ai hi a ( t degee t whih t he r nc he ki eltons p; nd 6) he r o c he s r c r nde e a e a i e a pa toft put tve em pl yer sbusnes . e vi es e r d r n nt gr l r he a i o ' i s l a 304d. t 05. t o s ngl f c ori di postve a c t a e di e t d t l k a t t alt oft d i e a t s s ii nd ours r r c e o oo t he ot iy he N cic sa s' M c ely v. a ks Ste tEntt LLC, F. r um t nce . ' Fe e J c on r e ', 47 Supp.3d260,267( M d. 4) D. 201 - (ntr ciain a quotton maks o te . 1,atr a iai oft sx fcor,Che i enal tto nd ai r mitd) f fe pplc ton he i a t s d t m ovi pa t ha s ng ry s hown t t he ei $ do 'ast t r a i hi bewe n t pa te ,hec r ha t r s no ubt o he eltons p t e he ris t ou t m a de e mi asam at roflw t tt wor ri a empl y t r ne te a ha he ke s n oyeeori pe ntc ta t . 1 nde nde on r c or' d. ' (ntr cttonsomitd) i enal iai te . A. Dezree ofCont rol The fr tf c ori t d r ofc r t ta put tve e pl erhas ove t m a r i is a t s he k ee deg ontol ha a i m oy r he nne n w hi h t w or i pe f m e ' Sc t 466 F. a 30 05. I ot r FLSA c e i vi c he k s r or d. ' hulz, 3d t 4n he as s nvol ng e tc da e s eouls ha f xo i nc r , ' ve ound i a pr pr a et il notonl a t c ub' r e a g de i s t t p o i t o 'ook y t he l s ul s nd ui lne r r ng t da er ' pe f m a es a be vi , t a s t t cub' c r ove t ega di he nc s ror nc nd ha or but lo o he l s ontol r he amos r a cint e.' M c ee 47F.Supp. a 268( i Bute v. t phee nd le el '' Fe lv, 3d t quotng lr PP&G.l ,No. nc. W M N- 3- 201 U. Dit LEXI 1 7 ( M d.Nov.7,201 ) S 1 430, 3 S. s. S 5941 D. 3. k Exampl ofcl es ubs e tng s g fca c r i ude: tni da e s f a e es a t r nes ; e or i xeri i nii nt ont ol ncl i ng nc r or bs nc nd a di s nf c ng behavi al r es' s tng m i m um peror ance f or ul , eti ni f m ees; and r ri dancers t si i upon equi ng o gn n arval' I (ii ca e ) ri . d. ctng s s. ' l t sc e,t undiputd f t esa ih t tt Cl e r ie sgniia c r o r n hi as he s e ac s t bls ha he ub xe cs s i fc nt ontol ve t da e s a w e la t Cl sa m os e a c i nt e. The Cl s t t f e t ti c r d he nc r , s l s he ub' t pher nd le el ub e s he e ha s ha ge f t e c h da e t tt da e sper or ,a r quiest da e st pa ce t i f es e r or h ouc nc s ha he nc r f m nd e r he nc r o y ra n e ve y da t tt y e e tt wor Alhoug t d e sa ea et c et pa tc a s fst t y y ha he l c o k. t h he anc r r bl o hoos he riulr hit hat he wih t wor t a er quie t complt t i s fsa ha be n fne f la ngea l The s o k,hey r e r d o e e her hit nd ve e i d or e vi ry. d n esaeas s b e t ooh rb h v o a r e ,n ldn r lsp o iiigd u sa dac h l n a c r r lo u j c t te e a ir luls icu ig u e r hbtn r g n lo o a d r ti tng t a t nda e ofs gnii ntot r . Se Thom ps n v.Li & A . I ,779 F.Supp. esr c i he te nc i fca he s e o nda , nc. 1 l ( D. 2011 ( tng t a ge lme cub' r espr bii ûc sng,fg i 39, 48 D. C. ) cii o nte n l s ul ohi tng çusi ihtng, bii s r t hi ordr gs 'aswel a i pp o i t be vi ron sage i dec di t tt c r tng, c a c ng, u ,' l s na r pr a e ha o t , n i ng ha he ont ol fco weghedi fvoroft da e s. Addii l t hour ofopeai me rhi r es a tr i na he nc r) tonaly,he s rton, mbe s p ul a r quie e s a t nd e r m nt, nd ypesofbe r s s d a e deer ned by t Cl ve age ol r t mi he ub. Ae or ngl t c di y, he sg fca tde eeofc r e r s by t Cl wei i f voroffndi t tt pli if ar i nii n gr ontol xe cied he ub ghs n a i ng ha he antfs e e pl e r t rt n i pe ntc r c or . m oye s a he ha nde nde ont a t s B. O pport t for Prof tor Los uni v i s Thes c f c ore l t t wor s o runii sf pr i orl sde nde ont i e ond a t vaua es he ker ' ppo t te or ott os pe nt her ma nage i s ls See Schulz,466 F. d a 305. A s s t f t a ral kil . t 3 t e orh bove,t Cl s t t pr c he ub e s he i e c r ed f t c ha g or he ouch danc s pe f r e by t da e s whi h s t n i ly a f t t da e s e rom d he nc r , c ubs a t a l f ec s he nc r ' a lt t m a a pr i . Alhough t da e s a e a s pai t o h tps f om c t e s t biiy o ke oft t he nc r r l o d hr ug i r us om r , he ia gum e ...t tt abiiy t ea n tps s tr nt ha he lt o r i ugges s t ta wor r ha a opporuniy f pr i or t ha ke s n t t or oft l s i t eb i e sc n itn wi id p n n c nrco sau . . a b e r ui eyrj ce b o s n h usn s o sse t t n e e de t o ta tr tt s . h s e n o tn l ee td y h c t i o he FLSA c es i vi exotc da e s ' Thom pson,779 F.Supp,2d at 1 s our s n t r as nvol ng i nc r . ' 49; ee he t at t s or he as M c ee 47F. lo Fe lv, Supp. a 27 (ii c e) A st Unied St esCour ofAppeal f t 3d t 0 ctng as s. Fit Cicui expl ned i Rei v.Cicl C.I t çqt .lw=, 99 F. 324( hCi.1 : fh r t ai n ch r e nves m s l 8 2d 5t r 993) . ( nc cusomes arve a ghe dee nts ni tl ,a da e ' i tai , Ol e t r ri t t fnda 'l ghcubs nc rs niitve h sl,a d c su sg fc n l c nrb t t tea u to h rtp . Bu r e u te n o tme iniia ty o tiue o h mo n f e is t t h dee nlha a sgnii ntr e i drwi cusomest isni t ubs (nd)i fnda t s i tca ol n a ng t r o t ghcl a s r pons bl f a es i e or dveri e e t l a i bus ne s hour ,m a nt na off iii s ts m n , oc ton, i s s i e nce ac lte , a t tcs and i nt r ofbe r gesa f eshe i , nve o y ve a nd ood. Gi nisc z ove deemi nt ofc t rvolme ghede e nt e rie ve t ontol r tr na s usome u , t fnda l xecs s a hi de e ofc r ove a da e ' o gh gr e ontol r nc r s pporuniy f rpr i. The da e sa e f r t t o oft nc r r a m or c os y a n t w a ea ne s t lng f a lvi t e l el ki o ge r r oli or i ng, han t i pe nt o nde nde e te e ur s ki ar t n on t rrs c pia i sme s n r pr ne s ee ng eur hei iky a t l nve t nt . Rech,998 F. a 328 (ntr lciai a quotton ma ksomit . Afe c i rngt i 2d t i ena ttons nd ai r ted) tr onsdei he undipu e f ct he e, he c ttndst tt opporuniy f pr i orl s a s w e ghs i f vorof s t d a s r t our i ha he t t or ott os l o i n a em pl oyee st us. at C. Invest enti E qui entor M at al m n pm eri s The t r f t i t e onom i r a ii st s i t pli if lvelofi t e i t hid acor n he c c e lte e t s he a ntfs' e nvesm nt n he busne s i l ng t rknve t i e pme o maei ,orgher e oyme ofot r i s, ncudi hei t sment n qui nt r tral t iq mpl nl i he wor r . Sc t 466 F. a 3 ke s' ' hulz, 3d t 05. $1 a l i t s f cor cou t l t t c pial ;n nayzng hi a t , rs ook o he a t i t e s m ade i t danc c ub by t da e sa c ub ow ne sr pe tve y. M c el v,47 nvesm nt n he e l he nc r nd l r es c i l ' ' Fe e F. Supp.3da 271( tngc es. t cii as ) H e e,t undi put d f c s e t bls t t t de e nt ' i s m e i t Cl b g e ty r he s e a t s a i h ha he f nda s nve t nt n he u r a l e ee t da r 'i t e . I co r s t t da e s w hos pr m ar i s m e i i t xc ds he nce s nvesm nt n nt a t o he nc r , e i y nve t nt s n he cosum est tt y c t ha he hoos t we r t def nda sha a c i r e i t nti t Cl s e o a , he e nt ve onsde abl nvesme n he ub' buidi a f i hi a a e r s l ng nd um s ngs nd r e ponsbl f t Cl s bil a expe e . The de e i e or he ub' ls nd ns s f ndan s t a s pay w age t t Cl s o he w o ke sand e pl ye . A c or ngl t sf t a s w e g lo s o he ub' t r r r m o es c di y, hi ac or l o i hs if n avoroffndi t tt pl i if a e em pl esr he t i pende con r c or . i ng ha he a ntf s r oye at r han nde nt t a t s D. D ezree ofSkilR equi l red The f h f or i t çdegr ofskilr r f t wor ' Schulz,466 F. at305. ourt act s he t ee l equied or he k.' t 3d 8 ç he c l t ha he d t tt r i no s ci ls l r quied t be a e tc da er poi i t t i r okr s ve l ha he e s pe a kil e r o ot n xo i nc , ntng o he l ck of i t u ton, c r ii t o a pror ex r e a nsr c i e tfca i n, nd i pe i nce r qui e t be om e a e i da r' e rd o c n xotc nce . ' M cFeee 47F.Supp. a 27172( tngc es. I t sc e t dee nt c e t tt r ly, 3d t - cii as ) n hi as ,he fnda s onc de ha hee i ltl t no s i s l r quiedt da a t Cl a t , ha t sf ct wei i f vo of s ite o pecal kil e r o nce t he ub nd, hus t t hi a or ghs n a r fndi t t pl i i f a e e pl yee r t rt n i pende c r c o s i ng hat he a ntf s r m o s a he ha nde nt ont a t r . E. Perm anencv oft W orki R el i he ne atonshi p The ffh f c ori t pe m a nc oft w or ng r l tons p. Vi w i t e de e i il a t s he r ne e he ki e a i hi e ng he vi nc n t lgh m os f abl t t def nda s t c tfnds t tt s f c or tps a i te pl e he i t t avor e o he e nt , he our i ha hi a t i ga ns m oye s a us s nc t da r ha no s cii t r of e pl e ,a s e oft na e pl i if t t , i e he nce s ve pe fed e m m oym nt nd om he m d a ntf s da e a ohe esa ihment a t s metmet tt woked a t Cl SeeL.a 272. nc d t t r tbls s t he a i ha hey r t he ub. ls t N one hel s t l ck ofpe m a nc i t r a i ns p bet e n t Cl a t da e s i i t es , he a r ne e n he el to hi w e he ub nd he nc r s t not out ome de e nai 'of whehe t danc r we e e pl es of t Cl L-; s e alo c t nui tve' t r he e s r m oye he ub. d, e s , Thomps 779F.Supp. a 1 0(mpha ii t tig a yoft c t t tha f e i on, 2d t 5 e szng ha sml n he ours ha ve ound xotc d e s t be e pl es unde t FLSA di s de pie fndi t e oyme r ltons p anc r o m oye r he d o s t i ng he mpl nt ea i hi lc ahihdeg e ofpe ma nce'(ii caes. a ked g r e r ne ' ctng s ) ) F. lnt eiralN at ofServi R endered ure ees The s xt a fnalf c ori t e e t whi h t s r c r nde e by t pl i tf sw e e i h nd i a t s he xt nt o c he e vi es e r d he a n if r i i e a pal of t put tve e oye ' bus ne s' Sc t 466 F. a 305. H e e t s nt gr l ' an t he a i mpl r s i s . ' hulz, 3d t r , he de e nt c f nda s once t t pr s nc of e i d e s i e s ntalt t Cl s e s e e a de hat he e e e xotc anc r s s e i o he ub' xi t nc nd, t , t t t s f c or c hus ha hi a t ouns l i f vor of fndi t t t pl ntf s a e e pl yee r t r t n es n a i ng ha he ai i f r m o s a he ha i ndependentcont act s. r or 9 G. C ons de t on ofAl Fac or i ra i l t s A fe cons de i t s x f c o s i c bi ton a r ol ng a di put f c s i f vo tr i rng he i a t r n om na i nd es vi ny s ed a t n a r of t de e nt ,t c tc ude ,a a m ater of l w ,t t t pl ntf s a e e pl es f he f nda s he our oncl s s t a ha he ai if r m oye or pup os soft FLSA . The onl f t t tdoe no c ea l w e gh i f vorofe pl e s a usi e he y ac or ha s t l ry i n a m oye t t s t pe m a nc of t pa tes w or ng r a i ns p,a c t ha c i t nty f he r ne e he r i ' ki el to hi nd our s ve ons s e l ound e i xotc da e s t be e pl yee und r t FLSA de pie t c m onl t a i na ur of t i t y. nc r o m o s e he s t he om y r nsent t e he ndusr SeeThomps 779F.Supp.2da 1 (iig c s s. Alhought pl ntfssgneda e me s on, t 51 ctn a e) t he ai if i gre nt l belng t a i hem asi pe ntconta t s t l belus d by t pa tesi notdipostve unde t nde nde r c or , he a e he r i s s ii r he ec onom i r altes t t M c e e 47 F.Supp,3d a 273,s e a s M c c e ii es . Fe l y, t . e l o com b,331 U . a 729. S. t I t d, û he e onom i r a iy i t t t dan r a e no i bus ne s f t m s l s but a e nsea û t c c e lt s ha he ce s r t n i s or he e ve r de nden upon fndi e pl ym en i t bus ne sofot r . Cicl C . nvs ,998 F. a 329. pe t i ng m o t n he i s he s' r e I . ' 2d t Co e ns quen l t c tco l ty, he our nc udes t t t pl i if a e e pl es w ihi t m ea ng of t ha he a ntf s r m oye t n he ni he FLSA . I 1. C overaae D eterm i i naton Th s c n is erie i teplitfs moinf rp ril u r j d me ti wh t e e e o d su asd n h an if' to o a t s mma y u g n s eh r a t i e pl e i c r d by t FLSA . lf r a e t o pos i e t pe ofFLSA cove a ' he r m oym nt s ove e he d he e r w s bl y s r gev' J e sv. alt W alRe i nc Re isl ,662F. 1 1 ( 1hCi. 1 . Fis, os ndi W l o l sde e par nc, 3d 292, 299 1 t r 201 ) rtan e pl m oyee m a es a i h li vi y t bls cndi dual c r e' by s i t t s e ove ag ' how ng ha he ngag i i e s a e ed n nt r t t co r e or i t pr to of goods f i esae co r e. I (ii 29 U. C.j mme c n he oducin or ntrtt mme c d. ctng S. 207()l) Se ond,a empl e may etbls ( ntr ie co rge' by s ng t ther a( ). c n oye sa ih C eprs vea ' howi ha e e pl rha em pl se ge i c m er e ori t pr m oye s oyee nga d n om c n he oduc i ofgoodsf co m e ce a i ton or m r , nd s a e eprs who ea lg os vol m eofs l smadeo busne sdonei notl st n $500, n ntr ie s nnua r s u ae r i s s es ha 000. I (ii 29U. C.j203()1( ()(i) d. ctng S. s( )A)i-i). 10 Ba ed on t undiput d f ct i t r or t c ' c l st tt pli if qualf s he s e a s n he ec d, he oul oncude ha he a ntfs t iy f i vi ua c r ge unde t FLSA . I vi or ndi d l ove a r he ndi dual cove ag e s s f r a e pl r e xi t o n m oyee w ho Se al us s t i t me alte ofi esae c k gulry egl he nsnz nt iis ntrtt ommec i ( r wor ' Thor v.Al r re n hej k. ' ne l Re trto S r s, 48F.d1 6 ,1 6 ( lCi. 0 6 . I i wels tldt ts l itr e i a so ain e v .4 3 2 4 2 6 1 r 2 0 ) t s l-ete ha ithe n en t s n k i tume aiy ofi ene c nsr ntlt ntr t ommec ' Unie Stt v.l na y,392 F. 1 re. ' td aes br da 3d 306,1 1( 1h 31 1 t Ci.2004) s alo Avepoit l v.Powe Tool.l ,981F,Supp.2d 496,51 ( . Va. r ; ee s ns nc. r s nc. 2 W D. 201 ) M orove ,ii cla fom t r c ' t tt Cl sda r aer rdt rgulryus 3. e r t s e r r he e ol ha he ub' nces r equie o e a l e d t i e ne t pe f m t d es t t t y a e hie t pe f m . Se . e. Har he nt r t o r or he anc ha he r r d o r or e c. bour D e 61 p. ( imi t tt ub' da es us t i ene t sr a musc f t i pe fr nc l confr ng ha heCl s nc r e he ntr t o te m i or her roma es; CatrDe 37(c re p, a knowld ngt tt Cl sda e spef m usngmusct ti sra dfom e gi ha he ub' nc r ror i i ha s te me r t i ene a t theda r c et ro musc . Consque l t c t oncl s asa he ntr t nd ha t nces hoos hei wn i) e nty,he our c ude , m a t rofl w , ha t pl i tf sa e i vi l co r d undert FLSA . Com pa e Kendrc v. te a t t he a n if r ndi dualy ve e he * r ik Ea e I ' Gr .LLC,No.08gl ntl p. 80909- V- ARRA,2011U. Dit LEXI 36246,a *8 ( D. Cl M S. s. S t S. Fl.Apr 4,2011 (i ng t tt undiputd fcsetbls t tt pli ifquaii f a . ) fndi ha he s e a t sa ihed ha he antf lfed or i vi c r gewher t e de e s ndi dual ove a e he vi nc howe t tt pl i ifwa r quied t us t i e ne d ha he antf s e r o e he nt r t a tl nd eephone t pef m he j dui ) wih Jmi z v. So. Paki I , o ror r ob tes, t i ne r ng. nc. No. 231 C1 O' 07- 56- V- SULLl VAN,2008 U. Dit LEXI 7 47,a * ( D.Fl Se .l S. s. S 01 t 23 S. a. pt 6, 2008 ( di asamatroflw,t ti vi lc r di no a y,wheet ewa dno ) hol ng, te a ha ndi dua oveage d t ppl r her s k e de e t t t pl i if r gul ry us d i t u ent lte o i e ne co m e ce lke t . . . vi nc ha he a ntf e a l e ns r m a ii s f nt r t m r i he i ene'whiewas ngc r) ntr t' l hi as. *Ha ng r he t sdecii t cour ne notde dewhe he t pl ntfsqualf f e er ie vi eac d hi son, he t ed ci t r he ai if iy or nt prs cover undert FLSA. age he 11 111. Em pl over D et i i erm nat on Th n x is e rie i te pan if'moin frpat ls mma yj d me ti wh t r e e t s u as d n h litfs to o ri u r u g n s ehe a Sout e tV i gi a I t e s Ha bour a Ca tr a e pr r y c r c e i e ast pl i if ' hw s r ni nves m nt , r , nd re r ope l ha a t r z d he a ntf s e oye sf pur esoft FLSA. l r s e t t pli if 'm o i Sout s Vigi a mpl r or pos he n e pons o he antfs ton, hwe t r ni I t e s a Ha bo c nvesm nt nd r ur once t s i s . How e r Ca tr m a nt ns t t he c de hi s ue ve , re i ai ha anno be t c a s fe ast pl ntf s e pl r l s i i d he ai if ' m oye . The FLSA detne t t r i m pl r't i ude ta pe s a tng die ty i t i s he e m s oye ' o ncl e i ny r on c i r c l n he i ee tofanempl i r ltont a e oye ' 29U. C.j203d) k deemi whet r ntrs oyer n eai o n mpl e. ' S. ( . ' tr ne he To a i vi l n be la easa e pl ye unde t FLSA ,C our sge r l l a t C c n ndi dua ca i bl n m o r r he c t ne aly ook t he e onom i c r aiy'oft i vi ' sausi t wor a e.' M c l 47 F.Supp.3da 27 ( i e lt he ndi duals tt n he kplc '' Feeey, t 4 quotng Roma v.Ga n uposI1 l , F.Supp. 407, 6( M d. 3); e as Brc vv. Isnc.970 2d 41 D. 201 ) s e lo ike Count of v Smyt 9 F.Supp.1 1 1 5 ( . Va.1 96) I s doi c t e mi anumbe of h, 44 3 0, 31 W D. 9 . n o ng, ours xn ne r f c o s i l ng whe he t pur t d e pl r ha t po e t hie a fr e pl s a t r , nc udi t r he pore m oye s he w r o r nd i e m oyee , s vi e w or s he es co r w o k co tons de er i t m e hod orr t ofpa e t a uper s k c dul , nt ol r ndii , t m ne he t ae ym n , nd m a nt n e pl m e r or . Brc y,9 F.Supp.a l 5. N o s ngl f c or i dipostve, i ai m oy nt ec ds i ke 44 t 31 i e a t s s ii no i t m e e f ctt ta i vi ualm ai t i a hi l vels a usi t busnes . M cFe e 47 r s he r a ha n ndi d n a ns gh-e t t n he i s el y, F. Supp.3d a 274. t Bas d on t e de e i t r co d, he c t su bl t co l a am a t ro l w , ha e he vi nc n he e r t our i na e o nc ude, s te f a t t Ca tri pr l c r c e i e a t pl ntfs e o rf pur esoft FLSA. Alho h i re s opery ha a t rz d s he ai if ' mpl ye or pos he t ug t i undi put t tCa t row nst Cl sA TM m a hi s pe f m sbookke pi f tons f rt s s ed ha re he ub' c ne , r or e ng unc i o he Cl a i one ofs ve al t r t tl ne t Cl m one i 2006, he de e nt 'de ii ub, nd s e r parne s ha oa d he ub yn t f nda s pos ton t tm ony i cat t Cart doesnotm anage orcont olt Cl hie orfr t Cl sdancer es i ndi es hat er r he ub, r ie he ub' s, s tt da r 'hour ,moniort da r 'a va o de rur tmes o de e mi t da r ' e he nce s s t he nce s ni l r pa t e i , r t r ne he nce s r t or m e hod of pa en . Consr ng t e de e i t lghtm os f r bl t Ca t r t ae t ym t tui he vi nc n he i t avo a e o r e , he courti unabl s t t f t srel s e ay hat he ac or evantt t i ue ofem pl o he ss oyer s at f t us avort pl nt f asa he ai ifs m a t rofl w . Ac di y, he i s ofwhe he Ca tri pr r y c r c e i ed a t pl i if ' te a cor ngl t s ue t r re s ope l ha a t r z s he a ntf s e o e c r tb d cd do s mmayj d me t mply r amo e e i e n u r u g n . I . V W ilul lf nessD et i i erm nat on The tna i s r s d i t pl i if 'm oto i w he he t def nda sw iluly f l t l l s ue ai e n he a ntf s in s t r he e nt lf l aied o c pl w ih t FLSA . A fndi of wilul s i pa t t a i abl lm ia i pe i om y t he i ng lf nes m c s he pplc e i t tons rod. W he a vi a i i non- il ul a t o- a s a ut oflm ia i a i ' n a vi a i n i w ilul n ol ton s w lf , w ye r t t e i t ton pples whe , ol to s lf , atr e- rsaut oflmiai a i . See29 U. C.j 255( . A wilulvi aton oc ur h e yea tt e i tton pples S. a) lf ol i c s whc a empl n n oyer kne or s w, howe r c e s dir ga d f t f ct t t hi c d e kls s e r or he a , ha s onduc wa t s pr bied. 54:Mcla i v.RihlndShoeCo.48 U. 1 1 ( 988 . ohi t vughln c a , 6 S. 28, 33 1 ) . I mo i g f rs mmayj d me to t sis e te panif e h sz ta a F A n v n o u r u g n n hi su , h litfs mp a ie h t n LS a ton w as fl d ag ns t Cl a Sou hw e tV igi a I t e s i 201 a t tH a bour ci ie ai t he ub nd t s r ni nves m nt n 0, nd ha r d a t t da e s i pende c r t a e m e f l ng t c me men oft ea le r fed he nc r ' nde nt ontacor gr e nt olowi he om nce t he rir ac i ton. Tha a ton,how e r s tl be or a di pos tve r i w e e m a by t c t a t ci ve , e ted f e ny s ii ulngs r de he our , nd Ha bour tsiid a hi deposto t the c i d t bei ve t tt da e s we e pr ry r e tfe t s ii n ha ontnue o le ha he nc r r ope l cl s t e a i pe nt c r t r . V i w i t evi nc i t lght m os f vo abl t t as ii d s nde nde ontac o s e ng he de e n he i t a r e o he de e nt ,t c ttnds t twhe he t ea le a ton pu Ha bour o a ot r de e nton f nda s he our i ha t r he ri r c i t r r ny he f nda notc t tt i ac i ns wer pr bie by s a ut i a ge ne y d s e f ta t us t tt i e ha he r to e ohi t d tt e s nui l i put d ac nd, h , ha he i s of w ilul s m us be r s ve a t i . Se M o m adiv. wabui i 605 F.A pp' 3 s ue lf ne s t e ol d t ral e ham N s, x 29, 333( h Ci. 5 ( di t tag neis ofmatralf c e sedast whehe a e rir 5t r 201 ) hol ng ha enui sue ei a t xit o t r n ale a ton,whih stl pu t dee ntonnoiet the pa sr t evi aedt FLSA) ci c eted, t he fnda tc ha r y tucur olt he . C oncl i us on Fort r s sae t moi f pa ta s mmayj he ea ons ttd,he ton or ril u r udgme tfldbyt pli if wil n ie he antfs l be gr nt d i pa ta de e i pa t TheCl k i d r c e t s nd co esoft sme or ndum a e n r nd nid n r. er s ie t d o e pi hi m a opi on a t a om pan ng or rt a1 c ni nd he cc yi de o l ouns lo r or e f ec d. DATED : s Y N da ofDec mbe 201 Thi y e r 5. , ChifUnie St t Diti tJ e t d aes src udge

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