STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION HUMAN RELATIONS

THERESA WILLIAMS, EEOC Case No. NONE

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2014-00621

v. No. 14-4994

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS,

FCHR Order No. 15-056

Respondent.

/

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR

RELIEF FROM A N UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

Preliminary Matters

Petitioner Theresa Williams filed a complaint of discrimination pursuant to the Florida Civil Rights Act of Sections 760.01 - Florida Statutes

alleging that Respondent Florida Department of Corrections committed an

employment practice by terminating Petitioner in retaliation for Petitioner's participation as a witness during an investigation of another employee's discrimination claim.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on September the Executive Director issued a determination finding that there was reasonable

cause to believe that an unlawful employment practice had occurred.

Petitioner filed a Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice, and the case was transmitted to the Division of Administrative Hearings for the conduct of a formal proceeding.

An evidentiary hearing was held in Bushnell, Florida, on March 24, before Administrative Law Judge James H. Peterson, III.

Judge Peterson issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated June 30, 2015.

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 the Administrative Law Judge's findings of fact to be supported by competent substantial evidence.

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

Filed September 17, 2015 11:11 AM Division of Administrative Hearings

FCHR Order No. 15-056 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 of law.

Exceptions

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

Dismissal

The Petition for Relief and Complaint 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 to appeal is found in Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure

DONE AND ORDERED this ,

FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Michael Keller, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner J. Jeff Graber; and

Commissioner Rebecca Steele

Filed this

in Tallahassee, Florida.

2015,

Clerk

Commission on Human Relations 4075 Esplanade Way, Room Tallahassee, FL 32399

(850) 488-7082

FCHR Order No. 15-056

Page 3

Copies to:

Theresa Williams

c/o Carlos V. Leach, Esq. Morgan & Morgan,

20 North Orange Avenue, Ste. Post Office Box 4979 Orlando, FL 32802-4979

Florida Department of Corrections c/o Sena M. Bailes, Esq.

501 South Calhoun Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-2500

James H. Peterson, III, 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

Clerk of the

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 14-004994

Orders for Case No: 14-004994