MEMORANDUM ORDER

NORA BARRY FISCHER, District Judge.

In 2008, Plaintiff Joseph Volkay, Jr.'s employment with Defendant Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Adult Division, Probation Office, Fifth Judicial District ("FJD"). (CA 14-193 Docket No. 1 at ¶ 13). Volkay filed a charge of discrimination as to that termination with the EEOC and, subsequently, a lawsuit in this District on September 9, 2009 ("Volkay I"). That case settled and resulted in Volkay's reinstatement in September 2010. (Id. at ¶15). Volkay's employment was again terminated in 2013. (Id. at ¶ 29). Volkay lodged an EEOC charge and, ultimately filed suit against the FJD and Charles Kennedy on February 11, 2014 ("Volkay II"). Towards the end of fact discovery in Volkay II, Plaintiff adduced information "demonstrating that Plaintiff's former department director, Janice Dean ("Dean"), had made a dispositive, `but-for' decision to recommend Plaintiff's termination," leading him to file a suit against her, separately, and in her individual capacity on May 30, 2015: Volkay v. Dean, Civ. No. 15-706 ("Volkay III"). (See Volkay III Docket Nos. 1, 7). Thus, Volkay III was filed over one year after Volkay II, and at a time when fact discovery was essentially complete in Volkay II.

Presently pending before the Court are Plaintiff's Motions to Consolidate Volkay II and Volkay III pursuant to Rule 42(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.1 (Volkay II at Docket No. 68; Volkay III at Docket No. 7).2 Rule 42(a) states:

FED.R.CIV.P. 42(a). "The moving party bears the burden of proof on a motion to consolidate." Borough of Olyphant v. PPL Corp., 135 Fed.Appx. 80, 82 (3d Cir. 2005). The Court has "broad discretion" in considering consolidation motions under Rule 42(a). See, e.g., A.S. ex rel. Miller v. SmithKline Beecham Corp, 769 F.3d 204 (3d Cir. 2014). "When exercising its broad discretion in this matter, even where there are common questions of law or fact, `a court should weigh the benefits of judicial economy against the potential for new delays, expense, confusion or prejudice.'" Hailey v. City of Camden, 631 F.Supp.2d 528, 553 (D.N.J. 2009) (quoting Doug Brady, Inc. v. N.J. Bldg. Laborers Statewide Funds, 250 F.R.D. 171, 176 (D.N.J. 2008)).

Volkay proffers several arguments in support of his Motion. First, he merely states that the Court has broad discretion. Motion at ¶ 6. In response, Dean contends that, while the Court has discretion to grant Volkay's Motions, so too does it have the discretion to deny them. (Volkay III at Docket No. 9 p. 3). The Court agrees that its discretion "cuts both ways" and does not find this argument very persuasive.

Next, Volkay argues that "consolidation will promote the interests in achieving a negotiated, global resolution of Volkay's claims." Motion at ¶ 7. All Defendants argue this contention rings hollow due to the structure and organization of the Pennsylvania Court System, because the Volkay II Defendants are represented by the Commonwealth, whereas Dean is represented by the Allegheny County Department of Law. (Volkay II at Docket No. 70 p. 2; Volkay III at Docket No. 9 p. 3). Further, Defendants argue that settlement monies for the claims in Volkay II would come from the Commonwealth, but settlement funds for the claims in Volkay III would come from Allegheny County. (Volkay II at Docket No. 68; Volkay III at Docket No. 7). This distinction is persuasive, as the Court surmises that each responsible party would have to make its own assessment of liability and the risks, if any, of defending the action through trial and beyond.3

Volkay's third argument is that consolidation would "avoid the potential for conflicting results including, specifically, the imposition of liability against Kennedy but not Dean, or vice versa." Motion at ¶ 8. Defendants argue that no principles of law require that, if a jury finds against Kennedy, it must necessarily find against Dean. (Volkay II at Docket No. 70 pp. 2-3; Volkay III at Docket No. 9 p. 4). As Dean puts it:

(Volkay III at Docket No. 9 p. 4). The Court agrees. In order to find against either (or both) Kennedy or Dean, individually, Volkay must prove each individual's actions in violation of his rights. It is plausible that, based on factual nuances, including, for example, the fact that the two hold different positions of authority at the FJC, only one of the two could be found liable. Thus, the Court finds this basis inadequate to support Volkay's Motion.

Next, Volkay argues that consolidating the cases would "obviate the potential for duplicative litigation, as precisely the same witnesses and documentary evidence are at issue in both Volkay II and Volkay III. Motion at ¶ 9. Dean disagrees, arguing that she would be prejudiced if the case against her was consolidated because "she is entitled to her own schedule for a Rule 26 conference, Rule 16 conference, initial disclosures, and propose her own parameters for discovery in her case." (Volkay III at Docket No. 9 p. 5). She further contends that, contrary to Volkay's suggestion that there will be minimal discovery as to the claim against Dean, because the discovery in Volkay II has been focused on the liability of the FJC and Kennedy, potentially significant additional discovery will be necessary to defend the claim against her. (Id. at pp. 5-6). Particularly given the advanced stage of discovery in Volkay II, the Court agrees with Dean's argument. She should not be forced to comply with the strictures in place in Volkay II, and should be afforded a full opportunity to defend the claims against her.

Finally, Volkay alleges that "consolidation would promote judicial economy, and not pose any prejudice to the Defendants in either case." Motion at ¶ 10. For the reasons previously stated, the Court disagrees with Volkay's prejudice argument. Moreover, it is not entirely clear how consolidating these cases, which are at polar opposite ends of the discovery spectrum, would conserve judicial resources. Certainly, it would be more economical to try one case, rather than two, but the apparent delay that would be necessary to allow Volkay III to catch up to Volkay II is untenable, as there has not even been a responsive pleading filed in Volkay III, let alone discovery.4 As noted, fact discovery in Volkay II is essentially complete, and the Court anticipates imminent summary judgment practice. In the Court's estimation, the Volkay II defendant should not be forced to wait to engage in same until Volkay III completes discovery. As summed up by Dean's counsel:

(Volkay III at Docket No. 9 pp. 6-7). The Court agrees that, whatever economy may be realized in consolidating these cases is outweighed by the prejudice that would be experienced by the Defendants.

AND NOW, this 19th day of August, 2015, upon consideration of Plaintiff's Motions to Consolidate Volkay II and Volkay III. (Volkay II at Docket No. 68; Volkay III at Docket No. 7), Defendants' Briefs in opposition thereto, (Volkay II at Docket No. 70; Volkay III at Docket No. 9), in exercise of the Court's broad discretion, and for the foregoing reasons,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motions to Consolidate Volkay II and Volkay III. (Volkay II at Docket No. 68; Volkay III at Docket No. 7) are DENIED, without prejudice.5