STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

ANGELA WRIGHT, EEOC Case No. N/A

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2019-21197

v. DOAH Case No. 20-2126

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC FCHR Order No. 21-027 OPPORTUNITY,

Respondent.

/

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

Preliminary Matters

On July 31, 2019, Petitioner Angela Wright filed a complaint of discrimination pursuant to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Sections 760.01 - 760.11, Florida Statutes (2019), alleging that Respondent Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, committed an unlawful employment practice against Petitioner on the basis of disability.

On February 20, 2020, Petitioner submitted an Election of Rights to the Florida Commission on Human Relations, requesting a Petition for Relief to file with the Division of Administrative Hearings, since more than 180 days had elapsed since filing her complaint of discrimination.

On April 28, 2020, 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.

The hearing was originally scheduled for August 27, 2020, but on July 29, 2020, Respondent filed a Motion in Limine to which Petitioner filed a response.

On August 14, 2020, a telephonic hearing was held.

On August 18, 2020, an “Order Granting, In Part, And Denying, In Part, Respondent’s Motion In Limine” was issued.

On August 24, 2020, Respondent filed a Motion to Continue Final Hearing, which was granted.

On September 14, 2020, both parties filed a Stipulated Motion for Continuance, which was granted.

On November 9 and 10, 2020, a final evidentiary hearing was held in via Zoom web- conference before Administrative Law Judge Robert J. Telfer III.

Judge Telfer issued a Recommended Order dated January 19, 2021.

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

Filed March 31, 2021 4:10 PM Division of Administrative Hearings

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.

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 party 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 9.110.

DONE AND ORDERED this 31 day of March , 2021.

FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Mario Garza, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Libby Farmer; and Commissioner Larry Hart

Filed this 31 day of March , 2021,

in Tallahassee, Florida.

Tammy Barton

Clerk

Commission on Human Relations 4075 Esplanade Way, Room 110

Tallahassee, FL 32399

(850) 488-7082

Copies furnished to:

Angela Wright

4102 Greensboro Highway

Quincy, Florida 32351

Florida Deptartment of Economic Opportunity c/o Brandon W. White, Esquire

c/o Dominique Young, Esquire 107 E. Madison Street Caldwell Building, MSC 110 Tallahassee, FL 32399

Robert J. Telfer III, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH Sarah Stewart, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing has been mailed to the above listed addressees this 31 day of March , 2021.

By:

Tammy Barton

Clerk of the Commission

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 20-002126

Orders for Case No: 20-002126