,.

STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

EMMANUEL AGBARA, l ..

Petitioner,

V.

ORCHID SPRINGS VILLAGE, NO. 200, INC., AND JOHN CARROLL, PRESIDENT,

HUD Case No. 04-09-0405-8 FCHR Case No. 2009H0095 DOAH Case No. 09 6.516

FCHROrderNo. 11-013

Respondents.

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FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM A DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICE

Preliminary Matters

Petitioner Emmanuel Agbara filed a housing discrimination complaint pursuant to the Fair Housing Act, Sections 760.20 - 760.37, Florida Statutes (2007), alleging that Respondents Orchid Springs Village, No. 200, Inc., and John Carroll, President, committed a discriminatory housing practice on the basis of Petitioner's color (Black) and National Origin (Nigerian) by denying Petitioner's application to purchase a condominium.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on March 31, 2009, the Executive Director issued a determination finding that there was reasonable cause to believe that a discriminatory housing practice had occurred.

Petitioner filed a Petition for Relief from a Discriminatory Housing Practice and the case was transmitted to the Division of Administrative Hearings for the conduct of a formal proceeding.

An evidentiary hearing was held by video teleconference at sites in Lakeland and Tallahassee, Florida, on July 13, 2010, before Administrative Law Judge Jeff B. Clark.

Judge Clark issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated November 22, 2010.

The Commission panel designated below considered the record of this matter and determined the action to be taken on the Recommended Order.

Findings of Fact

We fmd the Administrative Law Judge's fmdings of fact to be supported by competent substantial evidence ·

We adopt the Administrative Law Judge's findings of fact.

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FCHR Order No. 11-013

Page 2

Conclusions of Law

We find the Administrative Law Judge's application of the law to the facts to result in a correct disposition of the matter.

We adopt the Administrative Law Judge's conclusions oflaw.

Exceptions

Petitioner filed exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's Recommended Order in a document entitled, "Petitioner's Exceptions to the Recommended Order in the above Titled Case."

With regard to exceptions to Recommended Orders, the Administrative Procedure Act states, "The final order shall include an explicit ruling on each exception, but an agency need not rule on an exception that does not clearly identify the disputed portion of the recommended order by page number or paragraph, that does not identify the legal basis for the exception, or that does not include appropriate and specific citations to the record." Section 120.57(1)(k), Florida Statutes (2009); see, also, Bartolone v. Best Western Hotels, FCHR Order No. 07-045 (August 24, 2007).

A review of Petitioner's exceptions document suggests that it does not comply with this statutory provision.

It can be said, generally, that Petitioner excepts to the Administrative Law Judge's finding that no discriminatory housing practice occurred in this matter.

The Commission has stated, "It is well settled that it is the Administrative Law Judge's function 'to consider all of the evidence presented and reach ultimate conclusions of fact based on competent substantial evidence by resolving conflicts, judging the. credibility of witnesses and drawing permissible inferences therefrom. If the evidence presented supports two inconsistent findings, it is the Administrative Law Judge's role to decide between them.' Beckton v. Department of Children and Family Services, 21

F.A.L.R. 1735, at 1736 (FCHR 1998), citing Maggio v. Martin Marietta Aerospace, 9

F.A.L.R. 2168, at 2171 (FCHR 1986)." Barr v. Columbia Ocala Regional Medical Center, 22 F.A.L.R. 1729, at 1730 (FCHR 1999). Accord, Bowles v. Jackson County _ Hospital Corporation, FCHR Order No. 05-135 (December 6, 2005).

Based on the foregoing, Petitioner's exceptions are rejected.

Dismissal

The Petition for Relief and Housing Discrimination Complaint 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

FCHR Order No. 11-013

Page 3

to appeal is found in Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.110.

DONE AND ORDERED this 8th day of February , 2011. FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Donna Elam, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Gayle Cannon; and Commissioner Billy Whitefox Stall

Filed this 8th day of in Tallahassee, Florida.

F"'-e=b=ru=a=rc.J..y

,, 2011,

Violet Crawford, Clerk Commission on Human Relations

2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 488-7082

Copies furnished to:

Emmanuel Agbara

1822 Metzerott Road, No. 206

Adelphi, MD 20783

Orchid Springs Village, No. 200, Inc., and John Carroll, President

c/o Rex P. Cowan, Esq.

505 Avenue A, Northwest, Suite 200 Winter Haven, FL 33881

JeffB. Clark, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH James Mallue, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

FCHR Order No. 11-013

Page 4

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing has been mailed to the above listed addressees this 8th day of February , 2011.

i rk 1! ,t:fo.f

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 09-006516

Orders for Case No: 09-006516