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MARLENA SEENAUGHT vs MORTON PLANT HOSPITAL, BAYCARE, 20-002539 (2020)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 20-002539 Visitors: 15
Petitioner: MARLENA SEENAUGHT
Respondent: MORTON PLANT HOSPITAL, BAYCARE
Judges: JODI-ANN V. LIVINGSTONE
Agency: Florida Commission on Human Relations
Locations: Tallahassee, Florida
Filed: Jun. 03, 2020
Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Monday, October 19, 2020.

Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
Summary: The issue in this case is whether Morton Plant Hospital, Baycare (Morton Plant Hospital or Respondent), committed an unlawful employment 1 All statutory references are to Florida Statutes (2019). Relevant provisions of chapter 760, Florida Statutes, have been unchanged since 2015, prior to any allegedly discriminatory acts. practice against Marlena Seenaught (Ms. Seenaught or Petitioner), on the basis of her sex and in retaliation for engaging in a protected activity, in violation of the Florida
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STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS


MARLENA SEENAUGHT, EEOC Case No. 15D201900466


Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2019-18039


v. DOAH Case No. 20-2539


MORTON PLANT HOSPITAL, BAYCARE, FCHR Order No. 21-020


Respondent.

/


FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE


Preliminary Matters


On February 28, 2019, Petitioner Marlena Seenaught filed a complaint of discrimination pursuant to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Sections 760.01 - 760.11, Florida Statutes (2018), alleging that Respondent Morton Plant Hospital, Baycare, committed an unlawful employment practice against Petitioner on the bases of sex and retaliation.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on April 29, 2020, the Executive Director issued a determination finding that there was no reasonable cause to believe that an unlawful employment practice had occurred.

On June 1, 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.

On August 17 and August 19, 2020, a final evidentiary hearing was held in via Zoom Conference before Administrative Law Judge Jodi-Ann V. Livingstone.

Judge Livingstone issued a Recommended Order, dated October 15, 2020.

Judge Livingstone issued an Amended Recommended Order dated October 19, 2020.

The Commission panel designated below considered the record of this matter and determined the action to be taken on the Amended 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 March 31, 2021 2:54 PM Division of Administrative Hearings

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:


Marlena Jacinta Seenaught 6201 Hillside Avenue

Seminole, Florida 33772


Morton Plant Hospital, Baycare c/o Ashley A. Tinsley, Esquire c/o Kevin D. Johnson, Esquire Johnson Jackson PLLC

100 North Tampa Street, Suite 2310

Tampa, FL 33602


Jodi-Ann V. Livingstone, 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: 20-002539
Issue Date Proceedings
Mar. 31, 2021 Agency Final Order Dismissing Petition for Relief from an Unlawful Employment Practice filed.
Nov. 19, 2020 Transmittal letter from Loretta Sloan forwarding Respondent's Exhibits to Respondent.
Nov. 19, 2020 Transmittal letter from Loretta Sloan forwarding Petitioner's Exhibits to Petitioner.
Nov. 18, 2020 Transmittal letter from Loretta Sloan forwarding records to the agency.
Oct. 19, 2020 Amended Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
Oct. 19, 2020 Amended Recommended Order (hearing held August 17 and 19, 2020). CASE CLOSED.
Oct. 15, 2020 Recommended Order (hearing held August 17 and 19, 2020). CASE CLOSED.
Oct. 15, 2020 Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
Sep. 28, 2020 Respondent Morton Plant Hospital, Baycare's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Sep. 25, 2020 Transcript Fee filed.
Sep. 25, 2020 Petitioner's Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Sep. 17, 2020 Notice of Filing Transcript.
Sep. 16, 2020 Transcript of Proceedings (not available for viewing) filed.
Aug. 19, 2020 CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
Aug. 18, 2020 Court Reporter Request filed.
Aug. 18, 2020 Order Rescheduling Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for August 19, 2020; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee).
Aug. 17, 2020 CASE STATUS: Hearing Partially Held; continued to date not certain.
Aug. 12, 2020 Respondent's Witness List filed.
Aug. 12, 2020 Amended Notice of Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for August 17, 2020; 9:30 a.m.; Tallahassee; amended as to Hearing Type).
Aug. 12, 2020 Respondent's Amended Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
Aug. 12, 2020 Petitioner's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
Aug. 12, 2020 Respondent's Amended Exhibit List filed.
Aug. 11, 2020 Petitioner's Witness List & Petitioner's Exhibit List filed.
Aug. 11, 2020 Respondent's Amended Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
Aug. 10, 2020 Respondent's Responses to Petitioner's First Request for Production filed.
Aug. 10, 2020 Respondent's Exhibit List filed.
Aug. 10, 2020 Respondent's Amended Motion to Allow for Hearing to Occur via Video Conferencing or, in the Alternative, for Continuance (amended as to conferral only) filed.
Aug. 10, 2020 Respondent's Motion to Allow for Hearing to Occur via Video Conferencing or, in the Alternative, for Continuance filed.
Aug. 10, 2020 Respondent's Proposed Exhibits filed (exhibits not available for viewing).
Jul. 22, 2020 Notice of Taking Deposition of Petitioner Marlena Seenaught filed.
Jul. 21, 2020 Respondent's Notice of Non-Party Production filed.
Jul. 13, 2020 Request for Production to Respondent filed.
Jun. 16, 2020 Respondent's Notice of Discovery Requests to Petitioner filed.
Jun. 12, 2020 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
Jun. 12, 2020 Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for August 17, 2020; 9:30 a.m.; Tampa and Tallahassee, FL).
Jun. 10, 2020 Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
Jun. 10, 2020 Notice of Appearance (Kevin Johnson) filed.
Jun. 03, 2020 Initial Order.
Jun. 03, 2020 Employment Complaint of Discrimination filed.
Jun. 03, 2020 Notice of Determination: No Reasonable Cause filed.
Jun. 03, 2020 Determination: No Reasonable Cause filed.
Jun. 03, 2020 Petition for Relief filed.
Jun. 03, 2020 Transmittal of Petition filed by the Agency.

Orders for Case No: 20-002539
Issue Date Document Summary
Mar. 31, 2021 Agency Final Order
Oct. 19, 2020 Recommended Order
Oct. 15, 2020 Recommended Order Petitioner failed to establish she was subjected to severe and pervasive sexual harassment for which Respondent was liable or that her termination was in retaliation for complaining about the harassment.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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