STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

BENJAMIN BULLARD, EEOC Case No. NONE

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2011-00152

v. DOAH Case No. 11-2035

LOWRY GROUP PROPERTIES, INC., FCHR Order No. 13-011 AND SUNNY HILLS OF HOMESTEAD,

INC.,

Respondents.

/

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

This matter is before the Commission for consideration of the Recommended Order, dated December 3, 2012, issued in the above-styled matter by Administrative Law Judge Errol H. Powell.

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Judge Powell’s order reflects that Petitioner failed to appear at the scheduled administrative hearing in the case. Specifically, Judge Powell’s order states that Petitioner failed to meet his burden of proof because of his nonappearance. Consequently, the order recommends that the Commission issue a final order denying the Petition for Relief.

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., Goldenberg v. Department of Corrections, FCHR Order No. 12-051 (September 17, 2012), 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 February 26, 2013 8:00 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

None 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 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 26th day of February , 2013. FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Gilbert M. Singer, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Lizzette Romano; and

Commissioner Mario M. Valle

Filed this 26th day of February , 2013, in Tallahassee, Florida.

/s/ Violet Crawford, Clerk

Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 488-7082

Copies furnished to:

Benjamin Bullard 12211 Park Drive

Hollywood, FL 33026

Lowry Group Properties, Inc., and Sunny Hills of Homestead, Inc.

c/o Spencer D. West, Esq.

c/o Stephen N. Montalto, Esq. Mitchell & West, LLC

3191 Coral Way, Suite 406

Miami, FL 33145

Errol H. Powell, 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 26th day of February , 2013.

By: /s/ Clerk of the Commission

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 11-002035

Orders for Case No: 11-002035