Gilbert H. Amis, III, Complainant,v.Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, (Transportation Security Administration), Agency.

Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionDec 10, 2009
0720080048 (E.E.O.C. Dec. 10, 2009)

0720080048

12-10-2009

Gilbert H. Amis, III, Complainant, v. Janet Napolitano, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security, (Transportation Security Administration), Agency.


Gilbert H. Amis, III,

Complainant,

v.

Janet Napolitano,

Secretary,

Department of Homeland Security,

(Transportation Security Administration),

Agency.

Appeal No. 0720080048

Hearing No. 430-2007-00078X-WMS

Agency No. HS-05-TSA-002222

DECISION

Following its May 30, 2008 final order, the agency filed an appeal which

the Commission accepts pursuant to 29 C.F.R. � 1614.405(a). On appeal,

the agency requests that the Commission affirm its rejection of an EEOC

Administrative Judge's (AJ) finding of discrimination in violation of

Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act),

as amended, 29 U.S.C. � 791 et seq. The agency also requests that the

Commission affirm its rejection of the relief ordered by the AJ. For the

following reasons, the Commission MODIFIES the agency's final order.

ISSUES PRESENTED

The issues presented are whether the agency properly rejected the

findings of the AJ that complainant had been discriminated against based

on reprisal when he was denied light duty, and whether the relief awarded

by the AJ was properly determined.

BACKGROUND

At the time of events giving rise to this complaint, complainant worked

as a Federal Air Marshal at the agency's facility in Charlotte, North

Carolina. On February 27, 2006, complainant filed an EEO complaint

alleging that he was discriminated against on the bases of disability

(Eustachian tube dysfunction and dyslexia) and in reprisal for prior

protected EEO activity arising under the Rehabilitation Act when:

1. on July 27, 2005, he was denied an in-position-increase (IPI) of 3%;

2. on August 10, 2005, he was denied a restricted light duty position;

and

3. on January 3, 2006, he was not selected for an Assistant Training

Officer position.

At the conclusion of the investigation, complainant was provided with a

copy of the report of investigation and notice of his right to request

a hearing before an EEOC Administrative Judge (AJ). Complainant timely

requested a hearing. The AJ held a hearing on May 24, 2007, and issued

a decision on May 2, 2008.

The AJ found the facts of the case to be as follows. Complainant is a

Federal Air Marshal who has been employed by the agency since June 2002.

He suffers from Eustachian tube dysfunction, which affects his ability to

fly on aircraft, at times, and to walk; his condition is controlled with

medication. He also has been diagnosed with dyslexia. Complainant had

engaged in prior EEO activity on the bases of disability and reprisal

by virtue of a complaint filed on October 14, 2004, which was heard by

an AJ on February 28, 2006. In that complaint, he also named the same

two management officials who were involved in the present complaint.

Complainant alleged that he was denied a 3% in-position-increase (IPI)

for discriminatory reasons. IPI's were distributed to the top 25%

of the Federal Air Marshals in the office, based on factors such as

attitude, submission of surveillance detection reports, and missing

scheduled flights. Complainant had requested light/restricted duty on

August 10, 2005, when he submitted his restriction from flight status

to his first level supervisor, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge

(ASAC). He asked to be assigned to training or to surveillance at

the airport due to his Eustachian tube dysfunction. The ASAC refused

his request and sent him home. That same afternoon, at 5:10 p.m.,

the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) changed the Charlotte Field Office

policy to limit light/restricted duty to two employees at a time.

Complainant was placed on Continuation of Pay (COP) as there were already

two employees on light/restricted duty. The SAC testified that he had

begun the process to change the light/restricted duty policy on July 18,

2005, but that it was finalized on August 10, 2005. Finally, complainant

applied for an Assistant Training Officer position, was interviewed by

the five-member panel who rated and ranked the candidates, but was not

one of the seven candidates selected.

In his decision, the AJ found that complainant was not an individual with

a disability in that he had not shown that his conditions substantially

limited him in one or more major life activities. The AJ also noted

that complainant's Eustachian tube dysfunction was well controlled by

medication. Turning to complainant's claim of discrimination based on

reprisal, the AJ found that complainant had established a prima facie

case of reprisal. Complainant engaged in protected activity in September

2004, and the SAC and ASAC were both aware of it. He suffered adverse

actions in the form of the IPI denial, the light/restricted duty denial

and the non-selection.

The agency offered legitimate, nondiscriminatory reasons for each

of its actions. Regarding the IPI denial, the agency claimed that

complainant was not among the top 25% of the Federal Air Marshals in the

Charlotte Field Office. Complainant was not given a light/restricted

duty position because the policy was that only two employees could be on

light/restricted duty at a time, and two Federal Air Marshals with more

seniority occupied those positions at the time of complainant's request.

The agency noted that complainant did receive COP from the Office

of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) while he was out. Finally,

complainant was not selected for the Assistant Training Officer position,

because he was not among the best qualified.

The AJ then examined whether complainant had shown that any of the

agency's reasons to be pretext for discrimination. He found that as to

issue 1, although the SAC was the approving official for awarding the

IPIs, he did not select which Federal Air Marshals were considered to

be the top 25%. Rather, a panel of supervisors forwarded the names to

the SAC. Regarding issue 3, the AJ found that there was no evidence

that complainant had not been selected for the Assistant Training

Officer position for retaliatory motives. Complainant had not shown

that he was better qualified than those candidates who were selected

for the position.

With respect to issue 2, however the AJ found that complainant had shown

facts that supported a finding of discrimination. Complainant requested

light/restricted duty on August 10, 2005, and the agency changed the

policy within hours of his request in a way that would deny him the

light/restricted duty. Complainant made his request before the new

policy was put into effect, but it was applied to him. Additionally,

the SAC was the named responsible management official in complainant's

previous EEO case, and the SAC was the official who decided to issue

the new policy the same day as complainant's request. The AJ noted

that another Federal Air Marshal was allowed to work light/restricted

duty a few months later, even though there were already two Federal Air

Marshals on light/restricted duty. The AJ concluded that complainant had

been discriminated against on the basis of reprisal when he was denied

light/restricted duty.

The AJ awarded as relief for the discrimination: $47.01 in lost Sunday

pay; compensatory damages of $10,000.00; mileage expenses of $54.62;

and attorney's fees of $8,750.00. He also ordered that the agency

post a notice informing employees at complainant's work location that:

it had discriminated against an employee; it would cease discriminating

on the basis of reprisal; it would not retaliate against complainant;

and it would take corrective, curative or preventive action to ensure

that future violations such as this do not recur.

The agency subsequently issued a final order rejecting the AJ's finding

that complainant proved that he was subjected to discrimination as

alleged.

CONTENTIONS ON APPEAL

The agency argued on appeal that the finding of discrimination based

on reprisal was in error. The agency claimed that the AJ's conclusion

that complainant established a prima facie case of reprisal was incorrect

because complainant was not aggrieved when he was denied light/restricted

duty because he received COP from OWCP during the time period he was

off work. Complainant had experienced an on-the-job injury to his right

inner ear on August 6, 2005, which is what precipitated his request for

light/restricted duty on August 10, 2005. Because it was an on-the-job

injury, complainant was approved for OWCP benefits until he was cleared

to work again by his doctor. The agency argued that complainant was

fully compensated by OWCP while he was off work and that therefore,

he was not aggrieved.

The agency further argued that there was no causal connection between

complainant's prior EEO activity in September 2004 and the change in the

light duty policy on August 10, 2005. The agency's argument centers on

the amount of time between the protected activity and the adverse action

being too long. Finally, the agency asserted that the decision to change

the light/restricted policy had been made by the SAC on July 18, 2005,

because there were issues with the administration of the previous light

duty policy.

The agency argued, in the alternative, that if the Commission upholds the

AJ's decision finding reprisal discrimination, the amount of compensatory

damages awarded was too high, and unsupported by any findings by the AJ.

The agency also argued that the attorney's fees award was too high, based

on the complainant's degree of success on his three claims. The agency

claimed that the total fee requested should have been reduced by 67%

to reflect that complainant only prevailed on one of three claims.

Complainant did not submit any contentions in support of the AJ's

decision, or in opposition to the agency's brief in support of the

appeal.

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

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

an AJ 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). An AJ's conclusions of law are subject to a

de novo standard of review, whether or not a hearing was held. An AJ's

credibility determination based on the demeanor of a witness or on the

tone of voice of a witness will be accepted unless documents or other

objective evidence so contradicts the testimony or the testimony so

lacks in credibility that a reasonable fact finder would not credit it.

See EEOC Management Directive 110, Chapter 9, � VI.B. (November 9, 1999).

To prevail in a disparate treatment claim such as this, complainant must

satisfy the three-part evidentiary scheme fashioned by the Supreme Court

in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973). Complainant

must initially establish a prima facie case by demonstrating that he or

she was subjected to an adverse employment action under circumstances

that would support an inference of discrimination. Furnco Construction

Co. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 567, 576 (1978). Proof of a prima facie case will

vary depending on the facts of the particular case. McDonnell Douglas,

411 U.S. at 804 n. 14. The burden then shifts to the agency to articulate

a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its actions. Texas Department

of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 253 (1981). To ultimately

prevail, complainant must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that

the agency's explanation is pretextual. Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing

Products, Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 120 S.Ct. 2097 (2000); St. Mary's Honor

Center v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 519 (1993).

Complainant can establish a prima facie case of reprisal discrimination

by presenting facts that, if unexplained, reasonably give rise to

an inference of discrimination. Shapiro v. Social Security Admin.,

EEOC Request No. 05960403 (Dec. 6, 1996) (citing McDonnell Douglas).

Specifically, in a reprisal claim, and in accordance with the burdens

set forth in McDonnell Douglas, Hochstadt v. Worcester Foundation for

Experimental Biology, 425 F. Supp. 318, 324 (D. Mass.), aff'd, 545 F.2d

222 (1st Cir. 1976), and Coffman v. Department of Veteran Affairs, EEOC

Request No. 05960473 (November 20, 1997), complainant may establish

a prima facie case of reprisal by showing that: (1) he engaged in a

protected activity; (2) the agency was aware of the protected activity;

(3) subsequently, he was subjected to adverse treatment by the agency;

and (4) a nexus exists between the protected activity and the adverse

treatment. Whitmire v. Department of the Air Force, EEOC Appeal

No. 01A00340 (September 25, 2000).

We note that the agency had argued to the AJ prior to the hearing that

complainant's claim of denial of light/restricted duty should be dismissed

because complainant was not aggrieved. The AJ did not grant the agency's

motion for dismissal. We agree that complainant was aggrieved when he

was denied the light/restricted duty, even though he was compensated by

OWCP for his time out of work. The Commission has stated that adverse

actions need not qualify as "ultimate employment actions" or materially

affect the terms and conditions of employment to constitute retaliation.

Lindsey v. United States Postal Service, EEOC Request No. 05980410

(Nov. 4, 1999) (citing EEOC Compliance Manual Section 8, "Retaliation,"

No. 915.003 (May 20, 1998)). Instead, the statutory retaliation clauses

prohibit any adverse treatment that is based upon a retaliatory motive and

is reasonably likely to deter the charging party or others from engaging

in protected activity. Id. The Commission finds that complainant

was aggrieved for the purposes of a claim of reprisal discrimination

in that the actions of the SAC were likely to have a chilling effect,

not just on complainant, but on other employees in the workplace.

Contrary to the agency's argument that there was no causal connection

between complainant's previous EEO activity and the decision to implement

a new light/restricted duty policy, we note that proximity in time to

the original EEO activity is not the only way to establish a connection.

On August 10, 2005, when the complainant was denied light/restricted duty,

his previous complaint was still being processed, with an investigation

conducted subsequent to the filing of the formal complaint on October 15,

2004, and a hearing conducted in February 2006. We note that in Jenkins

v. U.S. Postal Service, EEOC Appeal No. 0120064579 (July 8, 2008), the

Commission found that the named responsible management official would have

been recently reminded of the previous EEO complaint due to the ongoing

investigation and any recent activity in the processing thereof.

Finally, the agency argued that the decision to change the

light/restricted duty policy was made on July 18, 2005, a little

over 3 weeks before complainant made his request for restricted duty.

In his affidavit, the SAC says it was "coincidental" that he decided

to implement the revised policy on the very day that complainant made

his request. While a change to the policy may have been contemplated,

the decision to implement it, on August 10, 2005, at 5:10 p.m. and to

decide that it should apply to a request previously made under the old

policy, was entirely within the SAC's discretion. Thus, we find the

AJ's determination that the change was made for discriminatory reasons

to be reasonable and supported by substantial evidence in the record.

Relief awarded

Compensatory damages

Pursuant to section 102(a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1991, a complainant

who establishes unlawful intentional discrimination under either Title VII

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended, 42 U.S.C. � 2000e

et seq., or the Rehabilitation Act may receive compensatory damages for

past and future pecuniary losses and non-pecuniary losses. 42 U.S.C. �

1981a(b)(3). In West v. Gibson, 527 U.S. 212 (1999), the Supreme Court

held that Congress afforded the Commission the authority to award

compensatory damages in the administrative process.

The AJ awarded complainant $10,000.00 in compensatory damages, but did

not discuss how he arrived at this amount in his decision. The agency

argued that the award was unsupported by the record. We find that

there was testimony at the hearing in support of complainant's claim

for compensatory damages. Complainant claimed that he has suffered

from insomnia, anxiousness, and stomach upset.1 He testified that he

had not seen a psychiatrist out of fear that he would lose his security

clearance. There was no testimony as to the duration of these conditions.

Non-pecuniary damages must be limited to the sums necessary to compensate

the injured party for the actual harm and should take into account the

severity of the harm and the length of the time the injured party has

suffered from the harm. Carpenter v. Department of Agriculture, EEOC

Appeal No. 01945652 (July 17, 1995).

Based on the record before us, we find that the agency failed to

establish that the AJ's award was not reasonable. On the contrary,

the AJ's award is supported by substantial evidence in the record

as set forth in complainant's testimony and is consistent with the

amounts awarded in similar cases. See Daniels v. United States Postal

Service, EEOC Appeal No. 07A30028 (September 3, 2003) ($10,000.00

award in non-pecuniary, compensatory damages based on complainant's

statements of vomiting, anxiety, sleeplessness, digestive problems,

and emotional distress resulting from the agency's discrimination);

Williams v. Department of Transportation, EEOC Appeal No. 01A10856

(July 6, 2001) ($9,000.00 award in non-pecuniary, compensatory damages

where complainant experienced depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and

difficulty in his marital relations).

Attorney's fees

The agency is required to award attorney's fees for the successful

processing of an EEO complaint in accordance with existing case

law and regulatory standards. Bernard v. Department of Veterans

Affairs, EEOC Appeal No. 01966861 (July 17, 1998). Attorney's fees

are computed by determining the lodestar, i.e., the number of hours

reasonably expended multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate. 29 C.F.R. �

1614.501(e)(2)(ii)(B); Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Management

Directive (MD) 110 at 11-5 (citing Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424,

434 (1983)). All hours reasonably spent in processing the complaint

are compensable, and the number of hours should not include excessive,

redundant or otherwise unnecessary hours. MD 110 at 11-5 (citing

Hensley, 461 U.S. at 434; and Bernard, EEOC Appeal No. 01966861).

A reasonable hourly rate is based on prevailing market rates in the

relevant community for attorneys of similar experience in similar

cases. MD-110 at 11-6 (citing Cooley v. Department of Veterans Affairs,

EEOC Request No. 05960748 (July 30, 1998)). In determining the degree of

success, the Commission will consider all relief obtained in light of a

complainant's goals, and, if a complainant achieved only limited success,

s/he should recover fees that are reasonable in relation to the results

obtained. Hensley, 461 U.S. at 434. While a reasonable fee should not

be determined simply by mathematical formula, hours spent on unsuccessful

claims should be excluded from the amount of a reasonable fee. Id.

The attorney requested a total of $10,975.00 in fees. The AJ awarded

$8,750.00, after reducing the award by $2,225.00 for charges for the

work done prior to the filing of the formal complaint. The agency

argued that the award should be further reduced by 67% to reflect the

degree of success by the complainant. Although we agree with the agency

that complainant should only recover for the hours spent pursuing the

claim he was successful on, the agency, however, failed to set forth in

any detail the specific hours that it believes should be disallowed.

For example, complainant's attorney may have spent a disproportionate

amount of time on the issue that he prevailed upon; therefore, the 67%

across the board reduction called for by the agency would not be proper.

Based on its appeal, we find that the agency simply failed to establish

that the AJ's attorney fee award should be reduced.

CONCLUSION

Based on a thorough review of the record and the contentions on appeal,

including those not specifically addressed herein, we MODIFY the agency's

Order as reflected above.

ORDER

Within sixty (60) days of the date this decision becomes final:

1. The agency shall issue complainant a check for $10,000.00 for

non-pecuniary compensatory damages.

2. The agency shall pay complainant $8,750.00 for attorney's fees.

3. The agency shall pay complainant $47.01 in lost Sunday pay, and $54.62

in mileage expenses.

4. The agency shall provide training to the responsible management

officials regarding their responsibilities under EEO laws, with a special

emphasis on the Rehabilitation Act.

5. The agency shall consider taking appropriate disciplinary action

against the responsible management officials. The Commission does not

consider training to be disciplinary action. The agency shall report

its decision to the Compliance Officer. If the agency decides to take

disciplinary action, it shall identify the action taken. If the agency

decides not to take disciplinary action, it shall set forth the reason(s)

for its decision not to impose discipline. If any of the responsible

management officials have left the agency's employ, the agency shall

furnish documentation of their departure date(s).

6. The agency shall post a notice in accordance with the paragraph below.

The agency is further directed to submit a report of compliance, as

provided in the statement entitled "Implementation of the Commission's

Decision." The report shall include supporting documentation verifying

that the corrective action has been implemented.

POSTING ORDER (G0900)

The agency is ordered to post at its Charlotte, North Carolina facility

copies of the attached notice. Copies of the notice, after being

signed by the agency's duly authorized representative, shall be posted

by the agency within thirty (30) calendar days of the date this decision

becomes final, and shall remain posted for sixty (60) consecutive days,

in conspicuous places, including all places where notices to employees are

customarily posted. The agency shall take reasonable steps to ensure that

said notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.

The original signed notice is to be submitted to the Compliance Officer

at the address cited in the paragraph entitled "Implementation of the

Commission's Decision," within ten (10) calendar days of the expiration

of the posting period.

ATTORNEY'S FEES (H0900)

If complainant has been represented by an attorney (as defined by

29 C.F.R. � 1614.501(e)(1)(iii)), he/she is entitled to an award of

reasonable attorney's fees incurred in the processing of the complaint.

29 C.F.R. � 1614.501(e). The award of attorney's fees shall be paid

by the agency. The attorney shall submit a verified statement of fees

to the agency -- not to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,

Office of Federal Operations -- within thirty (30) calendar days of this

decision becoming final. The agency shall then process the claim for

attorney's fees in accordance with 29 C.F.R. � 1614.501.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMISSION'S DECISION (K1208)

Compliance with the Commission's corrective action is mandatory.

The agency shall submit its compliance report within thirty (30) calendar

days of the completion of all ordered corrective action. The report shall

be submitted to the Compliance Officer, Office of Federal Operations,

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960, Washington,

DC 20013. The agency's report must contain supporting documentation,

and the agency must send a copy of all submissions to the complainant.

If the agency does not comply with the Commission's order, the complainant

may petition the Commission for enforcement of the order. 29 C.F.R. �

1614.503(a). The complainant also has the right to file a civil action

to enforce compliance with the Commission's order prior to or following

an administrative petition for enforcement. See 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407,

1614.408, and 29 C.F.R. � 1614.503(g). Alternatively, the complainant

has the right to file a civil action on the underlying complaint in

accordance with the paragraph below entitled "Right to File A Civil

Action." 29 C.F.R. �� 1614.407 and 1614.408. A civil action for

enforcement or a civil action on the underlying complaint is subject

to the deadline stated in 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16(c) (1994 & Supp. IV 1999).

If the complainant files a civil action, the administrative processing of

the complaint, including any petition for enforcement, will be terminated.

See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.409.

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL

RECONSIDERATION (M1208)

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 29

C.F.R. � 1614.405; Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive for

29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), 9-18 (November 9, 1999). All requests

and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of Federal

Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box 77960,

Washington, DC 20013. 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 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 (R0408)

This is a decision requiring the agency to continue its administrative

processing of your complaint. However, if you wish to file a civil

action, you have the right to file such action in an appropriate United

States District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date

that you receive this decision. In the alternative, you may file a

civil action after one hundred and eighty (180) calendar days of the date

you filed your complaint with the agency, or filed your appeal with the

Commission. 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. Filing a civil

action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.

RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z1008)

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 from the Court that

the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also

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 with

the Court 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:

______________________________

Carlton M. Hadden, Director

Office of Federal Operations

_______12/10/09___________

Date

1 Complainant testified that:

[I] get to the point at times when I'm driving to the office or I just -

-I'm ready to shake, it's just - it's nerve racking just going there.

If I stay all day at the office, when I leave the office I have a hard

time sleeping at night, I've had insomnia, I'm taking Tums and its been

on my medicals, I talked to my doctors about it, I'll take a roll of

Tums a day and it's just - it's killing me.

Hearing Transcript at pg 60.

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0720080048

U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Office of Federal Operations

P.O. Box 77960

Washington, DC 20013

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0720080048