Earl D. Fulmer, Complainant,v.Hearing Nos. 360-96-8716X, 360-97-8716X F. Whitten Peters, Secretary, Department of the Air Force Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionFeb 16, 2000
01980460 (E.E.O.C. Feb. 16, 2000)

01980460

02-16-2000

Earl D. Fulmer, Complainant, v. Hearing Nos. 360-96-8716X, 360-97-8716X F. Whitten Peters, Secretary, Department of the Air Force Agency.


Earl D. Fulmer, )

Complainant, )

) Appeal No. 01980460

v. ) Agency Nos. KHOF95430, 96532

)

Hearing Nos.

360-96-8716X,

360-97-8716X

F. Whitten Peters, )

Secretary, )

Department of the Air Force )

Agency. )

)

DECISION

The complainant timely initiated an appeal to the Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission (Commission) from the final decision of the

agency concerning his claim that the agency violated Title VII of the

Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.<0> The

appeal is accepted by the Commission in accordance with the provisions

of EEOC Order No. 960.001.

ISSUES PRESENTED

The issues presented herein are whether the agency discriminated against

the complainant based on color (black) and reprisal (prior EEO activity)

when: (1) he was scolded by his supervisor on two occasions; (2) he

was issued a letter of reprimand on June 19, 1995; (3) he received a

rating of �Fully Successful� on his 1995 performance appraisal; and (4)

he was transferred to another unit.

BACKGROUND

The complainant filed formal complaints in October 1995 and September

1996 in which he raised what have been identified as Issues 1 through 4.

Following investigations of these complaints, the complainant requested

a hearing and his two complaints were consolidated. The administrative

judge (AJ) who heard the case subsequently issued a recommended decision

(RD) finding no discrimination or reprisal with regard to both complaints.

Specifically, although the AJ found that the complainant was able to

establish a prima facie case based on reprisal, he found that the agency

had articulated legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for the challenged

actions that the complainant had not established were pretextual.

The agency thereafter issued a final decision (FAD) dated September 29,

1997, finding no discrimination. It is from this decision that the

complainant now appeals.

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Pursuant to 64 Fed. Reg 37,644, 37,659 (1999) (to be codified at

29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a)), all post-hearing factual findings by an

Administrative Judge will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence

in the record. Substantial evidence is defined as �such relevant evidence

as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.�

Universal Camera Corp. v. National Labor Relations Board, 340 U.S. 474,

477 (1951) (citation omitted). A finding regarding whether or not

discriminatory intent existed is a factual finding. See Pullman-Standard

Co. v. Swint, 456 U.S. 273, 293 (1982).

After a careful review of the record, the Commission finds that the RD

summarized the relevant facts and referenced the appropriate regulations,

policies, and laws. We agree that the complainant failed to present

sufficient evidence to conclude that the challenged actions were in

retaliation for his prior EEO activity or that they were motivated by

discriminatory animus. Consequently, the Commission discerns no basis

for disturbing the RD. Accordingly, after a careful review of the record,

including the complainant's contentions on appeal, we affirm the FAD.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M1199)

The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this

case if the complainant or the agency submits a written request containing

arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:

1. The appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation

of material fact or law; or

2. The appellate decision will have a substantial impact on the policies,

practices, or operations of the agency.

Requests to reconsider, with supporting statement or brief, MUST BE

FILED WITH THE OFFICE OF FEDERAL OPERATIONS (OFO) WITHIN THIRTY (30)

CALENDAR DAYS of receipt of this decision or WITHIN TWENTY (20) CALENDAR

DAYS OF RECEIPT OF ANOTHER PARTY'S TIMELY REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION.

See 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,659 (1999) (to be codified and hereinafter

referred to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405). All requests and arguments must be

submitted to the Director, Office of Federal Operations, Equal Employment

Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 19848, Washington, D.C. 20036. In the

absence of a legible postmark, the request to reconsider shall be deemed

timely filed if it is received by mail within five days of the expiration

of the applicable filing period. See 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644, 37,661 (1999)

(to be codified and hereinafter referred to as 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604).

The request or opposition must also include proof of service on the

other party.

Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your

request for reconsideration as untimely, unless extenuating circumstances

prevented the timely filing of the request. Any supporting documentation

must be submitted with your request for reconsideration. The Commission

will consider requests for reconsideration filed after the deadline only

in very limited circumstances. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c).

COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S1199)

You have the right to file a civil action in an appropriate United States

District Court WITHIN NINETY (90) CALENDAR DAYS from the date that you

receive this decision. If you file a civil action, YOU MUST NAME AS

THE DEFENDANT IN THE COMPLAINT THE PERSON WHO IS THE OFFICIAL AGENCY HEAD

OR DEPARTMENT HEAD, IDENTIFYING THAT PERSON BY HIS OR HER FULL NAME AND

OFFICIAL TITLE. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of your

case in court. "Agency" or "department" means the national organization,

and not the local office, facility or department in which you work. If you

file a request to reconsider and also file a civil action, filing a civil

action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1199)

If you decide to file a civil action, and if you do not have or cannot

afford the services of an attorney, you may request that the Court appoint

an attorney to represent you and that the Court permit you to file the

action without payment of fees, costs, or other security. See Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.;

the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. �� 791, 794(c).

The grant or denial of the request is within the sole discretion of

the Court. Filing a request for an attorney does not extend your time

in which to

file a civil action. Both the request and the civil action must be

filed within the time limits as stated in the paragraph above ("Right

to File A Civil Action").

FOR THE COMMISSION:

02-16-00

Date Carlton M. Hadden, Acting Director

Office of Federal Operations

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

For timeliness purposes, the Commission will presume that this decision

was received within five (5) calendar days after it was mailed. I certify

that this decision was mailed to complainant, complainant's representative

(if applicable), and the agency on:

Date Equal Employment Assistant01 On November

9, 1999, revised regulations governing the EEOC's

federal sector complaint process went into effect.

These regulations apply to all Federal sector EEO

complaints pending at any stage in the administrative

process. Consequently, the Commission will apply

the revised regulations found at 64 Fed. Reg. 37,644

(1999), where applicable, in deciding the present

appeal. The regulations, as amended, may also be

found at the Commission's website at WWW.EEOC.GOV.