STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

VANESSA JIMENEZ, EEOC Case No. 510201200435

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2012-00398

v. DOAH Case No. 12-2010

WESTGATE RESORTS, FCHR Order No. 12-066

Respondent.

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FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

Preliminary Matters

Petitioner Vanessa Jimenez filed a complaint of discrimination pursuant to the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992, Sections 760.01 - 760.11, Florida Statutes (2011), alleging that Respondent Westgate Resorts committed an unlawful employment practice by terminating Petitioner in retaliation for Petitioner complaining to Respondent’s human resources manager about discrimination.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on May 10, 2012, the Executive Director issued a determination finding that there was no reasonable cause to believe that an unlawful employment practice had occurred.

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.

An evidentiary hearing was held by video teleconference at sites in Orlando and Tallahassee, Florida, on August 14 and 15, 2012, before Administrative Law Judge William F. Quattlebaum.

Judge Quattlebaum issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated September 20, 2012.

The Commission panel designated below considered the record of this matter and determined the action to be taken on the 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 December 19, 2012 10:58 AM 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 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 to appeal is found in Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, and in the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.110.

DONE AND ORDERED this 19th day of December , 2012. FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

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

Commissioner Mario M. Valle

Filed this 19th day of December , 2012, 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:

Vanessa Jimenez

c/o Janice D. Kerr, Esq.

J. D. Kerr, P.A.

20 South Rose Avenue, Suite 7

Kissimmee, FL 34741

Vanessa Jimenez

c/o M. Jesusa Cruz Panton, Esq. Panton Law Firm, P.L.

1094 Plaza Drive

Kissimmee, FL 34743

Westgate Resorts

c/o Myrna Lizz Maysonet, Esq. c/o Brandon Hill, Esq.

c/o Richard Wayne Epstein, Esq. Greenspoon Marder, P.A.

201 East Pine Street, Suite 500

Orlando, FL 32801

William F. Quattlebaum, 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 19th day of December , 2012.

By: /s/ Clerk of the Commission

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 12-002010

Orders for Case No: 12-002010