STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

J. FERGUSON, EEOC Case No.

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2016-00358

v. DOAH Case No. 16-6631

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES,

FCHR Order No.

Respondent.

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITIO N FOR

RELIE F FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTIC E

Preliminary Matters

Petitioner Meti J. Ferguson filed a complaint of discrimination pursuant to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Sections 760.01 - Florida Statutes

alleging that Respondent CTI Resource Management Services, committed an unlawful employment practice on the basis of Petitioner's race (Black) by terminating Petitioner from employment.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on October

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 Jacksonville and Tallahassee, Florida, on January 24, before Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins.

Judge Watkins issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated March 24,

2017.

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 June 15, 2017 12:13 PM Division of Administrative Hearings

Conclusions of Law

We 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 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 )S day of

FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON RELATIONS:

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

Commissioner Sandra Turner

Filed this day of in Tallahassee, Florida.

Clerk

Commission Human Relations 4075 Esplanade Way, Room Tallahassee, FL 3239

Copies furnished to:

J. Ferguson 200 Crete Court

St. Augustine, FL 32084

CTI Resource Management Services c/o Peter R. Corbin, Esq.

FordHarrison LLP

225 Water Street, Ste. 170

Jacksonville, FL 32202

W. David Watkins, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH Radhika Puri, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

I HEREBY that a the foregoing has been mailed to the above listed addressees this day

Clerk of the Commission

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 16-006631

Orders for Case No: 16-006631