STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

JEFF KLIMCZAK, EEOC Case No. NONE

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2012-01199

v. DOAH Case No. 12-3489

DIGITAL NOW, INC., FCHR Order No. 13-046

Respondent.

/

FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM AN UNLAWFUL EMPLOYMENT PRACTICE

Preliminary Matters

Petitioner Jeff Klimczak 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 Digital Now, Inc., committed an unlawful employment practice on the basis of Petitioner’s marital status (not specified in complaint but identified in Recommended Order as “separated”) by terminating Petitioner from employment.

The allegations set forth in the complaint were investigated, and, on September 26, 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 in Pensacola, Florida, on January 16, 2013, before Administrative Law Judge Diane Cleavinger.

Judge Cleavinger issued a Recommended Order of dismissal, dated April 17, 2013.

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 June 19, 2013 11:05 AM Division of Administrative Hearings

FCHR Order No. 13-046

Page 2

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

Respondent filed an exception to the Administrative Law Judge’s Recommended Order in a document entitled, “Respondent’s Exception to Recommended Order,” received by the Commission on or about May 1, 2013.

Referencing the “Preliminary Statement” section of the Recommended Order, Respondent’s exception states, “Administrative Law Judge Diane Cleavinger has asserted that the Respondent filed an Amended Proposed Order on March 8, 2013. However, the DOAH Clerk records clearly reflect that the Respondent filed a Proposed Order on March 7, 2013, and never filed an Amended Proposed Order.”

A review of the record of this case indicates that it was Petitioner who filed an amended proposed order on March 8, 2013, and that Respondent’s proposed order was filed on March 7, 2013.

Respondent’s exception is accepted.

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 June , 2013. FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Gilbert M. Singer, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Onelia Fajardo-Garcia; and Commissioner Michell Long

Filed this 19th day of June , 2013, in Tallahassee, Florida.

FCHR Order No. 13-046

Page 3

/s/ Violet Crawford, Clerk

Commission on Human Relations 2009 Apalachee Parkway, Suite 100

Tallahassee, FL 32301

(850) 488-7082

Copies furnished to:

Jeff Klimczak

c/o Tiffany Rousseau Cruz, Esq. Marie A. Mattox, P.A.

310 East Bradford Road Tallahassee, FL 32303

Digital Now, Inc.

c/o Michael John Stebbins, Esq. Michael J. Stebbins, P.L.

504 North Baylen Street Pensacola, FL 32501

Diane Cleavinger, 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 June , 2013.

By: /s/

Clerk of the Commission

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 12-003489

Orders for Case No: 12-003489