STATE OF FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS

TORRI HOLMES, HUD Case No. 04-13-0816-8

Petitioner, FCHR Case No. 2013H0252

v. DOAH Case No. 13-4655

CAROLINA SQUARE APARTMENTS, FCHR Order No. 14-008

Respondent.

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FINAL ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM A DISCRIMINATORY HOUSING PRACTICE

This matter is before the Commission for consideration of the Recommended Order of Dismissal, dated January 29, 2014, issued in the above-styled case by Administrative Law Judge Suzanne Van Wyk.

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

Judge Van Wyk’s order reflects that Petitioner failed to appear at the scheduled administrative hearing in the case. 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., Cushe v. Titusville Housing Authority, FCHR Order No. 13-012 (February 26, 2013), 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).

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.

Filed March 26, 2014 10:27 AM Division of Administrative Hearings

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 26th day of March , 2014. FOR THE FLORIDA COMMISSION ON HUMAN RELATIONS:

Commissioner Mario M. Valle, Panel Chairperson; Commissioner Donna Elam; and

Commissioner Michael Keller

Filed this 26th day of March , 2014, 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:

Torri Holmes

1700 North Monroe Street, Suite 11-263

Tallahassee, FL 32303

Carolina Square Apartments c/o Elwin R. Thrasher, III, Esq. The Thrasher Law Firm

908 North Gadsden Street Tallahassee, FL 32303

Suzanne Van Wyk, 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 March , 2014.

By: /s/ Clerk of the Commission

Florida Commission on Human Relations

Docket for Case No: 13-004655

Orders for Case No: 13-004655