STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

EDWIN BURGOS SANTIAGO,

Petitioner,

V.

ANDREWS AND COMPANY, LLC,

     Respondent.                                              

/

EEOC Case No. 15D201000431 FCHR Case No. 2010-01750 DOAH Case No. 11-1920 FCHR Order No. 11-077

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

This matter is before the Commission for consideration of the Recommended Order of Dismissal, dated July 25, 2011, issued in the above-styled matter by Administrative Law Judge James H. Peterson, III.

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Judge Peterson's order reflects that Petitioner failed to appear at the scheduled administrative hearing in the case. Specifically, Judge Stevenson's order states, "The Petitioner has the burden of proof and the burden to go forward. The Petitioner did not appear and presented no evidence in support of his Petition." Consequently, the order recommends that the Commission issue a final order dismissing the case.

Commission panels have concluded that when a Petitioner fails to appear at the scheduled administrative hearing in their case, they fail to meet their burden of proof, and the Petition for Relief should be dismissed. See, e.g., Dotson v. Department of Financial Services, FCHR Order No. 11-034 (April 13, 2011), Patterson v. Panama City Housing Authority, FCHR Order No. 11- 001 (January 13, 2011), Crump v. The Majestic Tower at Bal Harbour, FCHR Order No. 10-072 (September 21, 2010), Bermudez v. Lake County Housing Authority. FCHR Order No. 10-041 (April 27, 2010), Cowden v. Difiglio, et al., FCHR Order No. 09-115 (December 14, 2009), Scott v. Two Men and a Truck, FCHR Order No. 09-009 (January 27, 2009), Enzor v. Sandco, Inc., FCHR Order No. 08-048 (July 29, 2008), Rodriguez v. Center Point Health and Rehab, FCHR Order No. 08-001 (January 14, 2008), West v. Sembler Corporation, d/b/a Bay Walk, FCHR Order No. 07-037 (June 15, 2007), Martinez v. KJC Enterprises, d/b/a Plantation Island Resort, FCHR Order No. 07-028 (April 20, 2007), Chaney, et al. v. Robert Buckner & Associates, FCHR Order No. 06-092 (November 13, 2006), and Prek v. Workforce Central Florida, FCHR Order No. 06-079 (September 18, 2006).

Filed October 6, 2011 8:10 AM Division of Administrative Hearings

We adopt the Administrative Law Judge's finding as to the nonappearance of Petitioner and conclude that Petitioner has failed to carry his burden of proof.

Exceptions

Neither of the parties filed exceptions to the Administrative Law Judge's Recommended Order of Dismissal.

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 of appeal is found in Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.110.

DONE AND ORDERED this 6th day of October

FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

2011.

Commissioner Mario M. Valle, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Watson Haynes, II; and Commissioner Lizzette Romano

Filed this 6th day of     in Tallahassee, Florida.

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_, 2011,

Violet Crawford, Clerk 71 Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 488-7082

NOTICE TO COMPLAINANT/ PETITIONER

As your complaint was filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), you have the right to request EEOC to review this Commission's final agency action. To secure a "substantial weight review" by EEOC, you must request it in writing within 15 days of your receipt of this Order.

Send your request to Miami District Office (EEOC), One Biscayne Tower, 2 South Biscayre Blvd., Suite 2700, 27th Floor, Miami, FL 33131.

Copies furnished to:

Edwin Burgos Santiago

714 Navy Street, Apartment 34 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547

Andrews and Company, LLC c/o Mathew Andrews, President 145 Spring Street

Newton, NJ 07860

James H. Peterson, III, Administrative Law Judge, DOAH James Mallue, Legal Advisor for Commission Panel

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing has been mailed to the above listed addressees this 6th day of October 2011.

i ,k rnrnis J

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 11-001920

Orders for Case No: 11-001920