STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

CATHERINE M . LECAS, EEOC Case No. NONE

Petitioner, FCHR Case No.

v. DOAH No. 15-7003

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,

FCHR Order No. 16-055

Respondent.

/

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITIO N FOR

RELIE F FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTIC E

Preliminary Matters

Petitioner Catherine M . Lecas filed a complaint of discrimination pursuant to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Sections 760.01 - Florida Statutes (2014), alleging that Respondent Florida Department of Environmental Protection committed unlawful employment practices on the bases of Petitioner's race, color, sex, national origin, religion and age, by harassing Petitioner. Petitioner also alleged that Respondent engaged in unlawful retaliation by terminating Petitioner from employment.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on November 2, the Executive Director issued a determination finding that there was no 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 by video teleconference at sites in Lakeland and Tallahassee, Florida, on June 1, before Administrative Law Judge Linzie F. Bogan,

Judge Bogan issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated August 30,

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 find 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 November 10, 2016 2:38 PM Division of Administrative Hearings

FCHR Order No. 16-055

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 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 Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure

DONE AND ORDERED this day of ,

FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Rebecca Steele, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Derick Daniel; and

Commissioner Jay Pichard

Filed day of , in Tallahassee, Florida.

Clerk

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

FCHR Order No. 16-055 3

Copies furnished to:

Catherine

3590 Nth 14th St.

VA 22201

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

c/o Brian C. Keri, Esq.

Law Offices of Brian C. Keri, P.A. Post Office Box 13599 Tallahassee, FL 32317

Linzie F. Bogan, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH James Mallue, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy foregoing has been mailed to the above

Clerk of the

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 15-007003

Orders for Case No: 15-007003