STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION QN HQM,t\N RELATIONS

KIMBERLY D. DOTSON,

l Li p 1:2= 3 l EEOC Case No. 15D200800945

FCHR Case No. 2008-01963

Petitioner, l, ; ·, ·. (

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DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES,

Respondent.

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DOAH Case No. 09-2386

EEOC Case No. NONE FCHR Case No. 2010-01100 DOAH Case No. 10-10017

FCHR Order No. 11-034

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITIONS FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

This matter is before the Commission for consideration of the Recommended Order of Dismissal, dated January 26, 2011, issued in the above-styled consolidated cases by Administrative Law Judge Lawrence P. Stevenson.

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Judge Stevenson's order reflects that Petitioner failed to appear at the scheduled administrative hearing in the consolidated cases. Specifically, Judge Stevenson's order states that based on Petitioner's failure to appear, "Petitioner has failed to meet her burden of proof to establish either her claim that Respondent engaged in unlawful employment practices or that Respondent terminated her employment in retaliation for Petitioner's seeking a remedy with FCHR."

Commission panels have concluded that when a Petitioner fails to appear at the scheduled administrative hearing in their case, they fail to meet their burden of proof, and the Petition for Relief should be dismissed. See, e.g., Patterson v. Panama City Housing Authority, FCHR Order No. 11-001 (January 13, 2011), Crump v. The Majestic Tower at Bal Harbour, FCHR Order No. 10-072 (September 21, 2010), Bermudez v. Lake County Housing Authority, FCHR Order No.

10-041 (April 27, 2010), Cowden v. Difiglio, et al., FCHR Order No. 09-115 (December 14, 2009), Scott v. Two Men and a Truck, FCHR Order No. 09-009 (January 27, 2009), Enzor v. Sandco, Inc., FCHR Order No. 08-048 (July 29, 2008), Rodriguez v. Center Point Health and Rehab, FCHR Order No. 08-001 (January 14, 2008), West v. Sembler Corporation, d/b/a Bay Walk, FCHR Order No. 07-037 (June 15, 2007), Martinez v. KJC Enterprises, d/b/a Plantation. Island Resort, FCHR Order No. 07-028 (April 20, 2007), Chaney, et al. v. Robert Buckner & Associates, FCHR Order No. 06-092 (November 13, 2006), and Prek v. Workforce Central Florida, FCHR Order No. 06-079 (September 18, 2006). ·

FCHR Order No. 11-034

Page2

We adopt the Administrative Law Judge's finding as to the nonappearance of Petitioner and conclude that Petitioner has failed to carry her burden of proof.

Exceptions

Neither of the parties filed exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's Recommended Order of Dismissal.

Dismissal

The Petitions for Relief and Complaints of Discrimination are DISMISSED with prejudice.

The parties have the right to seek judicial review of this Order. The Commission and the appropriate District Court of Appeal must receive notice of appeal within 30 days of the date this Order is filed with the Clerk of the Commission. Explanation of the right of appeal is found in Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.110.

DONE AND ORDERED this 13th day of April , 2011. FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Donna Elam, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Elena Flom; and

Commissioner Billy Whitefox Stall

Filed this 13th day of in Tallahassee, Florida.

A=p=n=·1_ _,, 2011,

Violet Crawford, Clerk Commission on Human Relations

2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite I00

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 488-7082

FCHROrderNo. 11-034

Page 3

NOTICE TO COMPLAINANT I PETITIONER

As your complaint was filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you have the right to request EEOC to review this Commission's final agency action. To secure a "substantial weight review" by EEOC, you must request it in writing within 15 days of your receipt of this Order.

Send your request to Miami District Office (EEOC), One Biscayne Tower, 2 South Biscayne Blvd., Suite 2700, 27th Floor, Miami, FL 33131.

Copies furnished to:

Kimberly D. Dotson 825 Briandav Street

Tallahassee, FL 32305

Kimberly D. Dotson 825 Brianday Street

Tallahassee, FL 32305

Department of Financial Services c/o Kim M. Fluharty-Denson, Esq. 612 Larson Building

200 East Gaines Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0333

Lawrence P. Stevenson, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH James Mallue, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing has been mailed to the above listed addressees this 13th day of April , 2011.

...

By: ,U.

Clerk of the

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 09-002386

Orders for Case No: 09-002386