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DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO vs. W. D. HARRELL FISH BAIT AND TACKLE, ET AL., 77-002040 (1977)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 77-002040 Latest Update: Feb. 27, 1978

The Issue Whether Respondent's beverage license should be suspended or revoked, or a civil penalty assessed, for an alleged violation of Section 562.12, Florida Statutes, pursuant to Section 561.29(1) Florida Statutes, as set forth in Notice to Show Cause issued by Petitioner. The hearing was originally scheduled for December 8, 1977, but respondent filed a motion for continuance which was granted by the Hearing Officer and the hearing was rescheduled for January 18, 1978. At the hearing, respondent moved to dismiss the charges on the ground that the Notice of Hearing issued on November 21, 1977, by the Hearing Officer was defective in that it did not adequately describe the petitioner's Notice to Show Cause or attach it to the Notice of Hearing. The motion was denied upon a determination that respondent had adequately been placed on notice as to the nature of the offense charged and due to the fact that the Notice to Show Cause had been sent by certified mail to respondent and that the receipt thereof on August 13, 1977, by an authorized agent of respondent was not contested. Further, respondent's motion for continuance indicates that her counsel was aware of the subject matter of the charges. Additionally, if such had not been the case, respondent had sufficient opportunity during the period in which the case had been continued to seek amplification or clarification of the issues involved in the case as set forth in the Notice of Hearing.

Findings Of Fact Respondent Jennie E. Harrell, d/b/a W. D. Harrell Fish Bait and Tackle, 515 South Roberts Street, Quincy, Florida, holds license Number 30-82, Series 1 COP, issued by petitioner which permits the sale of beer for consumption on the premises. The license was in effect during August, 1976. (Petitioner's Exhibit l) An occupational license for 1975-76 issued by the City of Quincy, Florida, Number 394, was issued to the Lake Talquin Fish Market, 515 South Roberts Street, Quincy, Florida, on October 15, 1975, to engage in the occupation of merchant. A similar license in the same name at the same address, Number 395, and issued on the same date, authorized the licensee to engage in the occupation or business of retail sale of gasoline. City occupational license 1976-77, Number 298 ,issued by the City of Quincy to Lake Talquin Fish Market at 517 South Roberts Street, to engage in the business or occupation of merchant, was issued on September 30, 1976. The Lake Talquin Fish Market is located at 517 South Roberts Street. The official records show that the license was issued to Jenny Harrell of 515 South Roberts Street, Quincy, Florida, and that the 1975-76 license Number 394 was issued in the same name. (Petitioner's Exhibits 2 and 10, supplemented by Petitioner's Composite Exhibit 3) On August 15, 1976, at approximately 10:55 a.m., State Beverage Officers Gary Sams and Fred Miller met with a reliable informant, one Guy Williams, in the vicinity of respondent's licensed premises at 515 South Roberts Street, Quincy, Florida. After searching Williams for any money or alcoholic beverages on his person, Sams gave him $7.20 and instructed him to attempt to purchase whiskey at respondent's place of business, W. D. Harrell Fish Bait and Tackle. The officers observed Williams drive to the building in question, but could not see his subsequent actions. He returned approximately fifteen to twenty minutes later with a partially filled one-half pint bottle of Seagram's Seven Crown whiskey. Williams had entered respondent's premises and asked a woman behind the counter if he could purchase a half-pint of whiskey. She told him he would have to go next door. He thereupon entered the adjacent premises, Lake Talquin Fish Market, and ordered a half-hint of Seagram's Seven Crown whiskey from a man there. The man went in the back of the store and returned with a sealed one-half pint bottle labeled Seagram's Seven Crown. Williams paid $2.50 for the bottle, took a drink from it, and found that it was, indeed, whiskey. The bottle was thereafter labeled for identification by the beverage officers and placed in the evidence room of petitioner's Tallahassee office. However, it was destroyed by petitioner prior to the hearing. (Testimony of Sams, Miller, Williams) On August 22, 1976, the two beverage agents again met with Williams at the same location at approximately 9:30 a.m. Following the same procedures as before, Sams gave Williams $4.00 and instructed him to go to respondent's state- licensed premises to attempt to purchase liquor. The same sequence of events as on August 15th occurred, involving a woman at W. D. Harrell Fish Bait and Tackle, and a man at the Lake Talquin Fish Market. This time the purchase was for a one-half pint sealed bottle of Seagram's Golden Dry Gin for which Williams paid $2.50. Again, he drank out of the bottle and verified that it was gin. This bottle was turned over to the beverage agents who verified that it was gin by its smell, and it was tagged and placed in petitioner's evidence room in Tallahassee. It, too, was destroyed by petitioner prior to the hearing. (Testimony of Sams, Miller, Williams) On August 23, 1976, criminal complaints were filed by petitioner's representatives against respondent and others, and, on August 24, a search warrant was issued authorizing a search of the premises of the Lake Talquin Fish Market at 517 South Roberts Street, and warrants were issued for the arrest of respondent and the individuals who had allegedly sold the alcoholic beverages to Williams. At approximately 5:15 p.m. on August 28, Agent Miller, together with local police officers, served the search warrant on one Isaac Ford at the Lake Talquin Fish Market. A search of the premises failed to reveal the presence of alcoholic beverages. The agents observed a well-worn path leading approximately 15 or 20 feet to an adjacent condemned frame house, and also an electric wire running from the store to the house. Further, they discovered a light switch in the store which controlled a light in the northeast room of the house. They observed a quantity of liquor and wine bottles on the floor of that room. It was noted that the house was secured by a padlock. Upon Inquiry, Ford stated that he did not have the key to the lock. The agents then asked respondent, who was at her place of business, if she had the key. She answered in the negative. When asked if the whiskey that had been observed in the house belonged to her, she said that it did not, but that she owned the house and wanted the whiskey off the premises. The agents thereupon forced entry into the house and seized 265 bottles of alcoholic beverages found inside. The bottles were sealed and strips indicating that tax had been paid were on the bottles. Sixteen of the bottles were assorted brands of wine; the remainder were liquor. (Testimony of Sams, Miller, Fader, Petitioner's Exhibits 5-13)

Recommendation That a civil penalty in the amount of $500.00 be imposed against Jennie E. Harrell, d/b/a D. Harrell Fish Bait and Tackle, License Number 30-82, pursuant to Section 561.29(1)(h) and (4),F.S., for violation of Section 562.12(1), F.S. DONE and ENTERED this 27th day of January, 1978, in Tallahassee, Florida. THOMAS C. OLDHAM Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Francis Bayley,. Esquire Department of Business Regulation The Johns Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 Jack A. Harnett, Esquire Post Office Box 706 Quincy, Florida 32351 Charles A. Nuzum, Director Division of Beverage Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32304

Florida Laws (3) 561.29562.12775.082
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ROBERT L. JOHNSON vs GENERAL PARCEL SERVICE OF FLORIDA, INC., 90-007093 (1990)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Tallahassee, Florida Nov. 06, 1990 Number: 90-007093 Latest Update: Mar. 20, 1991

The Issue At issue in this case is the question of whether the Respondent discriminated against the Petitioner by discharging the Petitioner because of his race and/or a handicap?

Findings Of Fact The Respondent, General Parcel Service of Florida, Inc., is in the business of shipping, receiving and delivering goods, primarily small packages. The Respondent's headquarters are located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it has a branch operation in Tallahassee, Florida. The Petitioner, Robert L. Johnson, was hired by the Respondent as a driver in late February or early March, 1989. Mr. Johnson worked out of the Tallahassee branch operation. Mr. Johnson was employed by the Respondent until October 24, 1989. Mr. Johnson is a black male. Between February, 1989, and June, 1989, Mr. Johnson's work was satisfactory. In July, 1989, Mr. Johnson injured his back. As a result of this back injury, Mr. Johnson was absent from work until approximately July 10, 1989. Mr. Johnson worked for approximately three weeks after returning to work in July, 1989, but was absent because of his back injury from the end of July, 1989, until approximately September 7, 1989. When Mr. Johnson returned to work in July and in September, 1989, his physician had ordered that he not lift anything which weighed more than 25 pounds. The weight limitation was the only limitation placed by Mr. Johnson's physician on the duties Mr. Johnson could perform. There was no medical restriction placed on Mr. Johnson's duty to report to work or to report on time. Beginning in June, 1989, the Tallahassee terminal manager, and Mr. Johnson's supervisor, was Harry LaNoue. The first day after Mr. Johnson returned to work in July, 1989, Mr. LaNoue had Mr. Johnson answering the telephone and doing paperwork. The second day Mr. LaNoue had Mr. Johnson washing trucks, cleaning around the premises and picking up trucks. On the third day after returning to work, in addition to the duties Mr. Johnson began performing on the second day, Mr. Johnson also began delivering packages. After Mr. Johnson's back injury, Mr. LaNoue personally selected the packages Mr. Johnson delivered. Mr. LaNoue attempted to insure that no package was given to Mr. Johnson which weighed more than 25 pounds. Mr. LaNoue also instructed Mr. Johnson that he was not to attempt to lift any package which weighed more than 25 pounds and that he should bring any packages which weighed more than 25 pounds back to the terminal. Mr. LaNoue also told Mr. Johnson that he was to keep all appointments with his physician and to return any packages which he could not deliver before any such appointment. Although Mr. Johnson testified that Mr. LaNoue tried to pressure him into performing duties which he believed he should not be performing because of his back injury, the weight of the evidence failed to support this testimony. Mr. Johnson gave no examples of such pressure which were contrary to his physician's instructions and he contradicted his testimony by admitting that Mr. LaNoue took the actions reflected in finding of fact 10. After Mr. Johnson injured his back, a couple of incidents involving Mr. Johnson's attendance occurred. Those incidents are described in Finding of Facts 13, 14 and 15. At some time after Mr. Johnson returned to work Mr. Johnson's wife telephoned and told Mr. LaNoue that Mr. Johnson would miss work because his back was sore. Mr. LaNoue asked to speak to Mr. Johnson but was told that Mr. Johnson was not available. Mr. LaNoue asked Ms. Johnson to have Mr. Johnson telephone him within an hour. Mr. Johnson did not call Mr. LaNoue. About an hour later Mr. LaNoue telephoned and spoke with Mr. Johnson. Mr. LaNoue told Mr. Johnson to go to see his physician. Mr. Johnson refused. Mr. LaNoue then told Mr. Johnson to report to work. Mr. Johnson refused. Mr. LaNoue told Mr. Johnson that it was important that he be dependable and report to work. On approximately September 14, 1989, Mr. LaNoue selected five or six packages he intended for Mr. Johnson to deliver. The packages weighed less than 25 pounds. When Mr. Johnson reported to work he told Mr. LaNoue that his back was sore. Mr. LaNoue instructed Mr. Johnson to go to see his physician. Mr. Johnson said no and walked out of the building. Mr. LaNoue telephoned the Respondent's personnel director, Ann Beeman, and reported the incident. Following this telephone call, Ms. Beeman received a telephone call from Mr. Johnson complaining about his back. She instructed Mr. Johnson to go to see his physician. Ms. Beeman informed Mr. LaNoue of her instructions to Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson went to see his physician, telephoned Mr. LaNoue and told him that he had been told to return to work. No additional restrictions on Mr. Johnson's work were imposed by the physician. After seeing his physician, Mr. Johnson returned to work. The packages that had been selected for him to deliver had already been delivered. Therefore Mr. Johnson performed other duties. In October, 1989, Mr. Johnson proposed to Mr. LaNoue and Scott Douglas Paul, driver supervisor/assistant terminal manager, that he be allowed to drive a route to Valdosta, Georgia. The route involved picking up packages from a drug company located in Valdosta. The company was an important client of the Respondent. Mr. LaNoue indicated that he would give the route to Mr. Johnson. Mr. LaNoue explained to Mr. Johnson how important the client was to the Respondent and told Mr. Johnson that he must be on time and be dependable. Mr. Johnson was also reminded that it was very important that Mr. Johnson comply with the Respondent's policy that drivers call at least one hour before their assigned departure time if they would not be able to report to work on time. The departure time for the Valdosta run assigned to Mr. Johnson was 5:00 p.m. On October 24, 1989, the second day after the Valdosta run had been assigned to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Johnson called the Respondent's offices between approximately 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Mr. Johnson spoke to Mr. Paul. Mr. Johnson told Mr. Paul that he had "family problems" but refused to tell Mr. Paul specifically what the problem was. Mr. LaNoue was in the same room with Mr. Paul during his telephone conversation with Mr. Johnson. Based upon hand signals between Mr. LaNoue and Mr. Paul, Mr. Paul told Mr. Johnson that, if he did not report to work that day, he need not bother coming to work again. Between June, 1989, when Mr. LaNoue became the Tallahassee terminal manager, and November 1, 1989, eight individuals, including Mr. Johnson, were fired by Mr. LaNoue. Four of those individuals were black (including Mr. Johnson) and four were white. The individuals fired between June, 1989, and November 1, 1989, their race and the race of the individuals, if any, who were hired to replace them are as follows: Terminated Employee Race Race of Replacement William Rodriquez White No Replacement Tom Arnold White White Randy Wansley White Black Larry Hargrove Black White Elmer McCoy Black Black John Constant White Black Robert Johnson Black Black Lester Kelly Black White Mr. Johnson is a member of two classes protected under Chapter 760, Florida Statutes: race (black) and handicapped (back injury). Mr. Johnson was replaced by a member of one of the protected classes: race. The weight of the evidence failed to prove whether Mr. Johnson's replacement was a member of the other protected class Mr. Johnson is a member of: handicapped. The Respondent had a nondiscriminatory, rational and business-related basis for discharging Mr. Johnson: Mr. Johnson was not dependable. Mr. Johnson failed to prove that the Respondent's reason for discharging him was a pretext.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED the Florida Commission on Human Relations issue a Final Order finding that there is no cause to conclude that the Respondent discriminated against Robert L. Johnson and dismissing Mr. Johnson's Petition. DONE and ENTERED this 20th day of March, 1991, in Tallahassee, Florida. LARRY J. SARTIN Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 20th day of March, 1991. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER The Respondent has submitted proposed findings of fact. It has been noted below which proposed findings of fact have been generally accepted and the paragraph number(s) in the Recommended Order where they have been accepted, if any. Those proposed findings of fact which have been rejected and the reason for their rejection have also been noted. The Petitioner did not file any proposed findings of fact. The Respondent's Proposed Findings of Fact Proposed Finding Paragraph Number in Recommended Order of Fact Number of Acceptance or Reason for Rejection 1 1. 2 2. 3 5. 4 7. 5 6-7. 6 9. 7 9-10. 8 7 and 10. 9 12-13. 10 14. Not relevant to this proceeding. 14. The last sentence is hearsay and no finding of fact based on this hearsay has been made. 13 14. 14 14-15. 15 16. 16 16-17. 17 16. 18 18. 19 11. 20 Hereby accepted. 21-22 19-20 and hereby accepted. 23 Hereby accepted. COPIES FURNISHED: Robert L. Johnson 3250 West Tennessee Street Lot 209 Tallahassee, Florida 32304 Charles F. Henley, Jr., Esquire Post Office Box 40593 Jacksonville, Florida 32203-0593 Margaret A. Jones, Clerk Commission on Human Relations 325 John Knox Road Building F, Suite 240 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1570 Dana Baird, General Counsel Commission on Human Relations 325 John Knox Road Building F, Suite 240 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1570 =================================================================

USC (1) 42 U.S.C 2000e Florida Laws (3) 120.57120.68760.10
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DAVID OKKER vs XENCOM FACILITY MANAGEMENT, LLC, 17-005072 (2017)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Gainesville, Florida Sep. 15, 2017 Number: 17-005072 Latest Update: Jul. 20, 2018

The Issue Whether Respondent, Xencom Facility Management, LLC (Xencom), terminated the employment of Petitioners solely because the contract under which they were working ended.

Findings Of Fact Xencom provides general maintenance, landscaping, housekeeping, and office cleaning services to retail facilities. In September of 2015, Xencom entered three contracts for services with CREFII Market Street Holdings, LLC (CREFII). The contracts were to provide maintenance, landscaping, and office cleaning services for a mall known as Market Street @ Heathbrook (Market Street) in Ocala, Florida. Michael Ponds, Xencom’s president, executed the contracts on behalf of Xencom. Two individuals executed the contracts on behalf of CREFII. One was Gar Herring, identified as manager for Herring Ocala, LLC. The other was Bernard E. McAuley, identified as manager of Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC. MG Herring was not a party or signatory to the contracts. MG Herring does not own or operate Market Street. A separate entity, The MG Herring Property Group, LLC (Property Group), operated Market Street. The contracts, in terms stated in an exhibit to them, established a fixed price for the year’s work, stated the scope of services, and detailed payment terms. They also identified labor and labor-related costs in detail that included identifying the Xencom employees involved, their compensation, and their weekly number of hours. The contract exhibits also identified operating costs, including equipment amortization, equipment repairs, fuel expenses, vacation costs, health insurance, and storage costs. The contracts ended December 31, 2016. The contracts specify that Xencom is an independent contractor. Each states: “Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee or agent of the owner. Accordingly, neither Contractor nor any of Contractor’s Representatives shall hold themselves out as, or claim to be acting in the capacity of, an agent or employee of Owner.” The contracts also specify that the property manager may terminate the contract at any time without reason for its convenience. The contracts permit Xencom to engage subcontractors with advance approval of the property manager. They broadly describe the services that Xencom is to provide. Xencom has over 80 such contracts with different facilities. As the contracts contemplate, only Xencom exerted direct control of the Petitioners working at Market Street. Property Group could identify tasks and repairs to be done. Xencom decided who would do them and how. In 2013, Xencom hired Michael Harrison to work as its Operations Manager at Market Street. He was charged with providing services for which Property Group contracted. His immediate supervisor was Xencom’s Regional Manager. In 2016, that was David Snell. Mr. Snell was not located at Market Street. Property Group also did not have a representative on site. Before Xencom hired him, Mr. Harrison worked at Market Street for Property Group. Xencom hired the remaining Petitioners to work at Market Street under Mr. Harrison’s supervision. Each of the Petitioners completed an Application for Employment with Xencom. The application included a statement, initialed by each Petitioner, stating, “Further, I understand and agree that my employment is for no definite period and I may be terminated at any time without previous notice.” All of the Petitioners also received Xencom’s employee handbook. As Xencom’s Operations Manager and supervisor of the other Petitioners, Mr. Harrison was responsible for day-to-day management of Petitioners. He scheduled their work tasks, controlled shifts, established work hours, and assigned tasks. Mr. Harrison also decided when Petitioners took vacations and time off. His supervisor expected him to consult with Property Group to ensure it knew what support would be available and that he knew of any upcoming events or other considerations that should be taken into account in his decisions. As Operations Manager, Mr. Harrison was also responsible for facilitating payroll, procuring supplies, and managing Xencom’s equipment at the site. Xencom provided Petitioners work uniforms that bore Xencom’s name. Xencom required Petitioners to wear the uniforms at work. Xencom provided the supplies and equipment that Petitioners used at work. Only Xencom had authority to hire or fire the employees providing services to fulfill its contracts with the property manager. Only Xencom had authority to modify Petitioners’ conditions of employment. Neither MG Herring, Property Group, nor Xencom held out Petitioners as employees of MG Herring or Property Group. There is no evidence that MG Herring or Property Group employed 15 or more people. Property Group hired Tina Wilson as Market Street’s on- site General Manager on February 1, 2016. Until then there was no Property Group representative at the site. The absence of a Property Group representative on-site left Mr. Harrison with little oversight or accountability under the Xencom contracts for Market Street. His primary Property Group contact was General Manager Norine Bowen, who was not located at the property. Ms. Wilson’s duties included community relations, public relations, marketing, leasing, litigation, tenant coordination, lease management, construction management, and contract management. She managed approximately 40 contracts at Market Street, including Xencom’s three service agreements. Ms. Wilson was responsible for making sure the contracts were properly executed. Managing the Xencom contracts consumed less than 50 percent of Ms. Wilson’s time. During the last weeks of 2016, Mr. Harrison intended to reduce the hours of Kylie Smithers. Ms. Wilson requested that, since Ms. Smithers was to be paid under the contract for full- time work, Ms. Smithers assist her with office work such as filing and making calls. Mr. Harrison agreed and scheduled Ms. Smithers to do the work. This arrangement was limited and temporary. It does not indicate Property Group control over Xencom employees. Ms. Wilson was Xencom’s point of contact with Property Group. She and Mr. Harrison had to interact frequently. Ms. Wilson had limited contact with the other Xencom employees at Market Street. Friction and disagreements arose quickly between Mr. Harrison and Ms. Wilson. They may have been caused by having a property manager representative on-site after Mr. Harrison’s years as either the manager representative himself or as Xencom supervisor without a property manager on-site. They may have been caused by personality differences between the two. They may have been caused by the alleged sexual and crude comments that underlie the claims of discrimination in employment. They may have been caused by a combination of the three factors. On November 21, 2016, Norine Bowen received an email from the address xencomempoyees@gmail.com with the subject of “Open your eyes about Market Street.” It advised that some employees worked at night for an event. It said that Ms. Wilson gave the Xencom employees alcohol to drink while they were still on the clock. The email said that there was a fight among Xencom employees. The email also said that at another event at a restaurant where Xencom employees were drinking, Ms. Wilson gave Ms. Smithers margaritas to drink and that Ms. Smithers was underage. The email claimed that during a tree-lighting event Ms. Wilson started drinking around 3:30 p.m. It also stated that Ms. Wilson offered a Xencom employee a drink. The email went on to say that children from an elementary school and their parents were present and that Ms. Wilson was “three sheets to the wind.” The email concludes stating that Ms. Wilson had been the subject of three employee lawsuits. On December 14, 2016, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Bowen, and Mr. Snell met at Property Group’s office in Market Street for their regular monthly meeting to discuss operations at Market Street. Their discussion covered a number of management issues including a Xencom employee’s failure to show up before 8:00 to clean as arranged, security cameras, tenants who had not paid rent, lease questions, HVAC questions, and rats on the roof. They also discussed the email’s allegations. The participants also discussed a number of dissatisfactions with Mr. Harrison’s performance. Near the end of a discussion about the anonymous email, this exchange occurred:2/ Bowen: Okay, so I know that David [Snell], I think his next step is to conduct his own investigation with his [Xencom] people, and HR is still following up with John Garrett, and you’re meeting with Danny [intended new Xencom manager for Market Street] tonight? David Snell: Yes. Bowen: To finish up paperwork, and, based on his investigation, it will be up to Xencom to figure out what to do with people that are drinking on property, off the clock or on the clock, you know, whatever, what their policy is. * * * Bowen: So, I don’t know what to make of it. I’m just here to do an investigation like I’m supposed to do and David is here to pick up the pieces and meet with his folks one-on- one, and we’ll see where this takes us. This exchange and the remainder of the recording do not support a finding that Property Group controlled Xencom’s actions or attempted to control them. The participants were responsibly discussing a serious complaint they had received, their plan to investigate it, and pre-existing issues with Mr. Harrison. The exchange also makes clear that all agreed the issues involving Xencom employees were for Xencom to address, and the issues involving Property Group employees were for Property Group to address. At the time of the December 14, 2016, meeting, the participants were not aware of any complaints from Mr. Harrison or Mr. Smithers of sexual harassment or discrimination by Ms. Wilson. On December 15, 2016, Gar Herring and Norine Bowen received an email from Mr. Harrison with an attached letter to Xencom’s Human Resources Manager and others. Affidavits from Petitioners asserting various statements and questions by Ms. Wilson about Mr. Harrison’s and Mr. Smithers’ sex life and men’s genitalia and statements about her sex life and the genitalia of men involved were attached. Xencom President Michael Ponds received a similar email with attachments on the same day. On December 21, 2016, Mr. Ponds received a letter from Herring Ocala, LLC, and Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC, terminating the service agreements. Their agreements with Xencom were going to expire December 31, 2016. They had been negotiating successor agreements. However, they had not executed any. Xencom terminated Petitioners’ employment on December 21, 2016. Xencom no longer needed Petitioners’ services once MG Herring terminated the contract with Xencom. This was the sole reason it terminated Petitioners.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Human Relations issue a final order denying the petitions of all Petitioners. DONE AND ENTERED this 15th day of May, 2018, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JOHN D. C. NEWTON, II Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 15th day of May, 2018.

Florida Laws (3) 120.569120.57760.10
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MARK SMITHERS vs THE MG HERRING GROUP, INC., 17-005069 (2017)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Gainesville, Florida Sep. 15, 2017 Number: 17-005069 Latest Update: Jul. 20, 2018

The Issue Whether Respondent, The MG Herring Group, Inc. (MG Herring), was an employer of Petitioners.

Findings Of Fact Xencom provides general maintenance, landscaping, housekeeping, and office cleaning services to retail facilities. In September of 2015, Xencom entered three contracts for services with CREFII Market Street Holdings, LLC (CREFII). The contracts were to provide maintenance, landscaping, and office cleaning services for a mall known as Market Street @ Heathbrook (Market Street) in Ocala, Florida. Michael Ponds, Xencom’s president, executed the contracts on behalf of Xencom. Two individuals executed the contracts on behalf of CREFII. One was Gar Herring, identified as Manager for Herring Ocala, LLC. The other was Bernard E. McAuley, identified as Manager of Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC. MG Herring was not a party or signatory to the contracts. MG Herring does not own or operate Market Street. A separate entity, The MG Herring Property Group, LLC (Property Group) operated Market Street. The contracts, in terms stated in an exhibit to them, established a fixed price for the year’s work, stated the scope of services, and detailed payment terms. They also identified labor and labor-related costs in detail that included identifying the Xencom employees involved, their compensation, and their weekly number of hours. The contract exhibits also identified operating costs, including equipment amortization, equipment repairs, fuel expenses, vacation costs, health insurance, and storage costs. The contracts ended December 31, 2016. The contracts specify that Xencom is an independent contractor. Each states: “Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee or agent of the owner. Accordingly, neither Contractor nor any of Contractor’s Representatives shall hold themselves out as, or claim to be acting in the capacity of, an agent or employee of Owner.” The contracts also specify that the property manager may terminate the contract at any time without reason for its convenience. The contracts permit Xencom to engage subcontractors with advance approval of the property manager. They broadly describe the services that Xencom is to provide. Xencom has over 80 such contracts with different facilities. As the contracts contemplate, only Xencom exerted direct control of the Petitioners working at Market Street. Property Group could identify tasks and repairs to be done. Xencom decided who would do them and how. In 2013, Xencom hired Michael Harrison to work as its Operations Manager at Market Street. He was charged with providing services for which Property Group contracted. His immediate supervisor was Xencom’s Regional Manager. In 2016, that was David Snell. Mr. Snell was not located at Market Street. Property Group also did not have a representative on site. Before Xencom hired him, Mr. Harrison worked at Market Street for Property Group. Xencom hired the remaining Petitioners to work at Market Street under Mr. Harrison’s supervision. Each of the Petitioners completed an Application for Employment with Xencom. The application included a statement, initialed by each Petitioner, stating, “Further, I understand and agree that my employment is for no definite period and I may be terminated at any time without previous notice.” All of the Petitioners also received Xencom’s employee handbook. As Xencom’s Operations Manager and supervisor of the other Petitioners, Mr. Harrison was responsible for day-to-day management of Petitioners. He scheduled their work tasks, controlled shifts, established work hours, and assigned tasks. Mr. Harrison also decided when Petitioners took vacations and time off. His supervisor expected him to consult with Property Group to ensure it knew what support would be available and that he knew of any upcoming events or other considerations that should be taken into account in his decisions. As Operations Manager, Mr. Harrison was also responsible for facilitating payroll, procuring supplies, and managing Xencom’s equipment at the site. Xencom provided Petitioners work uniforms that bore Xencom’s name. Xencom required Petitioners to wear the uniforms at work. Xencom provided the supplies and equipment that Petitioners used at work. Only Xencom had authority to hire or fire the employees providing services to fulfill its contracts with the property manager. Only Xencom had authority to modify Petitioners’ conditions of employment. Neither MG Herring, Property Group, nor Xencom held out Petitioners as employees of MG Herring or Property Group. There is no evidence that MG Herring or Property Group employed 15 or more people. Property Group hired Tina Wilson as Market Street’s on- site General Manager on February 1, 2016. Until then there was no Property Group representative at the site. The absence of a Property Group representative on-site left Mr. Harrison with little oversight or accountability under the Xencom contracts for Market Street. His primary Property Group contact was General Manager Norine Bowen, who was not located at the property. Ms. Wilson’s duties included community relations, public relations, marketing, leasing, litigation, tenant coordination, lease management, construction management, and contract management. She managed approximately 40 contracts at Market Street, including Xencom’s three service agreements. Ms. Wilson was responsible for making sure the contracts were properly executed. Managing the Xencom contracts consumed less than 50 percent of Ms. Wilson’s time. During the last weeks of 2016, Mr. Harrison intended to reduce the hours of Kylie Smithers. Ms. Wilson requested that, since Ms. Smithers was to be paid under the contract for full- time work, Ms. Smithers assist her with office work such as filing and making calls. Mr. Harrison agreed and scheduled Ms. Smithers to do the work. This arrangement was limited and temporary. It does not indicate Property Group control over Xencom employees. Ms. Wilson was Xencom’s point of contact with Property Group. She and Mr. Harrison had to interact frequently. Ms. Wilson had limited contact with the other Xencom employees at Market Street. Friction and disagreements arose quickly between Mr. Harrison and Ms. Wilson. They may have been caused by having a property manager representative on-site after Mr. Harrison’s years as either the manager representative himself or as Xencom supervisor without a property manager on-site. They may have been caused by personality differences between the two. They may have been caused by the alleged sexual and crude comments that underlie the claims of discrimination in employment. They may have been caused by a combination of the three factors. On November 21, 2016, Norine Bowen received an email from the address xencomempoyees@gmail.com with the subject of “Open your eyes about Market Street.” It advised that some employees worked at night for an event. It said that Ms. Wilson gave the Xencom employees alcohol to drink while they were still on the clock. The email said that there was a fight among Xencom employees. The email also said that at another event at a restaurant where Xencom employees were drinking, Ms. Wilson gave Ms. Smithers margaritas to drink and that Ms. Smithers was underage. The email claimed that during a tree-lighting event Ms. Wilson started drinking around 3:30 p.m. It also stated that Ms. Wilson offered a Xencom employee a drink. The email went on to say that children from an elementary school and their parents were present and that Ms. Wilson was “three sheets to the wind.” The email concludes stating that Ms. Wilson had been the subject of three employee lawsuits. On December 14, 2016, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Bowen, and Mr. Snell met at Property Group’s office in Market Street for their regular monthly meeting to discuss operations at Market Street. Their discussion covered a number of management issues including a Xencom employee’s failure to show up before 8:00 to clean as arranged, security cameras, tenants who had not paid rent, lease questions, HVAC questions, and rats on the roof. They also discussed the email’s allegations. The participants also discussed a number of dissatisfactions with Mr. Harrison’s performance. Near the end of a discussion about the anonymous email, this exchange occurred:2/ Bowen: Okay, so I know that David [Snell], I think his next step is to conduct his own investigation with his [Xencom] people, and HR is still following up with John Garrett, and you’re meeting with Danny [intended new Xencom manager for Market Street] tonight? David Snell: Yes. Bowen: To finish up paperwork, and, based on his investigation, it will be up to Xencom to figure out what to do with people that are drinking on property, off the clock or on the clock, you know, whatever, what their policy is. * * * Bowen: So, I don’t know what to make of it. I’m just here to do an investigation like I’m supposed to do and David is here to pick up the pieces and meet with his folks one-on- one, and we’ll see where this takes us. This exchange and the remainder of the recording do not support a finding that Property Group controlled Xencom’s actions or attempted to control them. The participants were responsibly discussing a serious complaint they had received, their plan to investigate it, and pre-existing issues with Mr. Harrison. The exchange also makes clear that all agreed the issues involving Xencom employees were for Xencom to address, and the issues involving Property Group employees were for Property Group to address. At the time of the December 14, 2016, meeting, the participants were not aware of any complaints from Mr. Harrison or Mr. Smithers of sexual harassment or discrimination by Ms. Wilson. On December 15, 2016, Gar Herring and Norine Bowen received an email from Mr. Harrison with an attached letter to Xencom’s Human Resources Manager, and others. Affidavits from Petitioners asserting various statements and questions by Ms. Wilson about Mr. Harrison’s and Mr. Smithers’ sex life and men’s genitalia and statements about her sex life and the genitalia of men involved were attached. Xencom President Michael Ponds received a similar email with attachments on the same day. On December 21, 2016, Mr. Ponds received a letter from Herring Ocala, LLC, and Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC, terminating the service agreements. Their agreements with Xencom were going to expire December 31, 2016. They had been negotiating successor agreements. However, they had not executed any. Xencom terminated Petitioners’ employment on December 21, 2016. Xencom no longer needed Petitioners’ services once MG Herring terminated the contract with Xencom. This was the sole reason it terminated Petitioners.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Florida Commission on Human Relations enter a final order denying the Petitions of all Petitioners. DONE AND ENTERED this 11th day of May, 2018, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JOHN D. C. NEWTON, II Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 11th day of May, 2018.

Florida Laws (4) 120.569120.57760.02760.10
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DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO vs. GILIMAR CORPORATION, T/A THE ULTIMATE CLUB, 81-001733 (1981)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 81-001733 Latest Update: Sep. 11, 1981

Findings Of Fact Respondent Gilimar Corporation holds a beverage license issued by Petitioner. Guillermo Leon Ramirez is the sole owner of the stock of Respondent corporation and is an officer of the corporation. After Guillermo Ramirez had been convicted of "distribution of methaqualone, a Schedule II controlled substance; in violation of Title 21, U.S. Code, Section 841(a)(1), "Petitioner's Exhibit No. 1, he was sentenced on January 30, 1981, to 18 months' imprisonment and two years' parole thereafter. Petitioner's Exhibit No. 1.

Recommendation Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That Petitioner revoke Respondent's license. DONE AND ENTERED this 20th day of August, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON, II Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 20th day of August, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Dennis E. LaRosa, Esquire Department of Business Regulation 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Gilimar Corporation d/b/a The Ultimate Club 766 East 25th Street Hialeah, Florida Charles A. Nuzum, Director Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 725 South Bronough Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER =================================================================

Florida Laws (2) 561.15561.29
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FAITH TAPPAN vs XENCOM FACILITY MANAGEMENT, LLC, 17-005080 (2017)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Gainesville, Florida Sep. 15, 2017 Number: 17-005080 Latest Update: Jul. 20, 2018

The Issue Whether Respondent, Xencom Facility Management, LLC (Xencom), terminated the employment of Petitioners solely because the contract under which they were working ended.

Findings Of Fact Xencom provides general maintenance, landscaping, housekeeping, and office cleaning services to retail facilities. In September of 2015, Xencom entered three contracts for services with CREFII Market Street Holdings, LLC (CREFII). The contracts were to provide maintenance, landscaping, and office cleaning services for a mall known as Market Street @ Heathbrook (Market Street) in Ocala, Florida. Michael Ponds, Xencom’s president, executed the contracts on behalf of Xencom. Two individuals executed the contracts on behalf of CREFII. One was Gar Herring, identified as manager for Herring Ocala, LLC. The other was Bernard E. McAuley, identified as manager of Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC. MG Herring was not a party or signatory to the contracts. MG Herring does not own or operate Market Street. A separate entity, The MG Herring Property Group, LLC (Property Group), operated Market Street. The contracts, in terms stated in an exhibit to them, established a fixed price for the year’s work, stated the scope of services, and detailed payment terms. They also identified labor and labor-related costs in detail that included identifying the Xencom employees involved, their compensation, and their weekly number of hours. The contract exhibits also identified operating costs, including equipment amortization, equipment repairs, fuel expenses, vacation costs, health insurance, and storage costs. The contracts ended December 31, 2016. The contracts specify that Xencom is an independent contractor. Each states: “Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee or agent of the owner. Accordingly, neither Contractor nor any of Contractor’s Representatives shall hold themselves out as, or claim to be acting in the capacity of, an agent or employee of Owner.” The contracts also specify that the property manager may terminate the contract at any time without reason for its convenience. The contracts permit Xencom to engage subcontractors with advance approval of the property manager. They broadly describe the services that Xencom is to provide. Xencom has over 80 such contracts with different facilities. As the contracts contemplate, only Xencom exerted direct control of the Petitioners working at Market Street. Property Group could identify tasks and repairs to be done. Xencom decided who would do them and how. In 2013, Xencom hired Michael Harrison to work as its Operations Manager at Market Street. He was charged with providing services for which Property Group contracted. His immediate supervisor was Xencom’s Regional Manager. In 2016, that was David Snell. Mr. Snell was not located at Market Street. Property Group also did not have a representative on site. Before Xencom hired him, Mr. Harrison worked at Market Street for Property Group. Xencom hired the remaining Petitioners to work at Market Street under Mr. Harrison’s supervision. Each of the Petitioners completed an Application for Employment with Xencom. The application included a statement, initialed by each Petitioner, stating, “Further, I understand and agree that my employment is for no definite period and I may be terminated at any time without previous notice.” All of the Petitioners also received Xencom’s employee handbook. As Xencom’s Operations Manager and supervisor of the other Petitioners, Mr. Harrison was responsible for day-to-day management of Petitioners. He scheduled their work tasks, controlled shifts, established work hours, and assigned tasks. Mr. Harrison also decided when Petitioners took vacations and time off. His supervisor expected him to consult with Property Group to ensure it knew what support would be available and that he knew of any upcoming events or other considerations that should be taken into account in his decisions. As Operations Manager, Mr. Harrison was also responsible for facilitating payroll, procuring supplies, and managing Xencom’s equipment at the site. Xencom provided Petitioners work uniforms that bore Xencom’s name. Xencom required Petitioners to wear the uniforms at work. Xencom provided the supplies and equipment that Petitioners used at work. Only Xencom had authority to hire or fire the employees providing services to fulfill its contracts with the property manager. Only Xencom had authority to modify Petitioners’ conditions of employment. Neither MG Herring, Property Group, nor Xencom held out Petitioners as employees of MG Herring or Property Group. There is no evidence that MG Herring or Property Group employed 15 or more people. Property Group hired Tina Wilson as Market Street’s on- site General Manager on February 1, 2016. Until then there was no Property Group representative at the site. The absence of a Property Group representative on-site left Mr. Harrison with little oversight or accountability under the Xencom contracts for Market Street. His primary Property Group contact was General Manager Norine Bowen, who was not located at the property. Ms. Wilson’s duties included community relations, public relations, marketing, leasing, litigation, tenant coordination, lease management, construction management, and contract management. She managed approximately 40 contracts at Market Street, including Xencom’s three service agreements. Ms. Wilson was responsible for making sure the contracts were properly executed. Managing the Xencom contracts consumed less than 50 percent of Ms. Wilson’s time. During the last weeks of 2016, Mr. Harrison intended to reduce the hours of Kylie Smithers. Ms. Wilson requested that, since Ms. Smithers was to be paid under the contract for full- time work, Ms. Smithers assist her with office work such as filing and making calls. Mr. Harrison agreed and scheduled Ms. Smithers to do the work. This arrangement was limited and temporary. It does not indicate Property Group control over Xencom employees. Ms. Wilson was Xencom’s point of contact with Property Group. She and Mr. Harrison had to interact frequently. Ms. Wilson had limited contact with the other Xencom employees at Market Street. Friction and disagreements arose quickly between Mr. Harrison and Ms. Wilson. They may have been caused by having a property manager representative on-site after Mr. Harrison’s years as either the manager representative himself or as Xencom supervisor without a property manager on-site. They may have been caused by personality differences between the two. They may have been caused by the alleged sexual and crude comments that underlie the claims of discrimination in employment. They may have been caused by a combination of the three factors. On November 21, 2016, Norine Bowen received an email from the address xencomempoyees@gmail.com with the subject of “Open your eyes about Market Street.” It advised that some employees worked at night for an event. It said that Ms. Wilson gave the Xencom employees alcohol to drink while they were still on the clock. The email said that there was a fight among Xencom employees. The email also said that at another event at a restaurant where Xencom employees were drinking, Ms. Wilson gave Ms. Smithers margaritas to drink and that Ms. Smithers was underage. The email claimed that during a tree-lighting event Ms. Wilson started drinking around 3:30 p.m. It also stated that Ms. Wilson offered a Xencom employee a drink. The email went on to say that children from an elementary school and their parents were present and that Ms. Wilson was “three sheets to the wind.” The email concludes stating that Ms. Wilson had been the subject of three employee lawsuits. On December 14, 2016, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Bowen, and Mr. Snell met at Property Group’s office in Market Street for their regular monthly meeting to discuss operations at Market Street. Their discussion covered a number of management issues including a Xencom employee’s failure to show up before 8:00 to clean as arranged, security cameras, tenants who had not paid rent, lease questions, HVAC questions, and rats on the roof. They also discussed the email’s allegations. The participants also discussed a number of dissatisfactions with Mr. Harrison’s performance. Near the end of a discussion about the anonymous email, this exchange occurred:2/ Bowen: Okay, so I know that David [Snell], I think his next step is to conduct his own investigation with his [Xencom] people, and HR is still following up with John Garrett, and you’re meeting with Danny [intended new Xencom manager for Market Street] tonight? David Snell: Yes. Bowen: To finish up paperwork, and, based on his investigation, it will be up to Xencom to figure out what to do with people that are drinking on property, off the clock or on the clock, you know, whatever, what their policy is. * * * Bowen: So, I don’t know what to make of it. I’m just here to do an investigation like I’m supposed to do and David is here to pick up the pieces and meet with his folks one-on- one, and we’ll see where this takes us. This exchange and the remainder of the recording do not support a finding that Property Group controlled Xencom’s actions or attempted to control them. The participants were responsibly discussing a serious complaint they had received, their plan to investigate it, and pre-existing issues with Mr. Harrison. The exchange also makes clear that all agreed the issues involving Xencom employees were for Xencom to address, and the issues involving Property Group employees were for Property Group to address. At the time of the December 14, 2016, meeting, the participants were not aware of any complaints from Mr. Harrison or Mr. Smithers of sexual harassment or discrimination by Ms. Wilson. On December 15, 2016, Gar Herring and Norine Bowen received an email from Mr. Harrison with an attached letter to Xencom’s Human Resources Manager and others. Affidavits from Petitioners asserting various statements and questions by Ms. Wilson about Mr. Harrison’s and Mr. Smithers’ sex life and men’s genitalia and statements about her sex life and the genitalia of men involved were attached. Xencom President Michael Ponds received a similar email with attachments on the same day. On December 21, 2016, Mr. Ponds received a letter from Herring Ocala, LLC, and Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC, terminating the service agreements. Their agreements with Xencom were going to expire December 31, 2016. They had been negotiating successor agreements. However, they had not executed any. Xencom terminated Petitioners’ employment on December 21, 2016. Xencom no longer needed Petitioners’ services once MG Herring terminated the contract with Xencom. This was the sole reason it terminated Petitioners.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Human Relations issue a final order denying the petitions of all Petitioners. DONE AND ENTERED this 15th day of May, 2018, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JOHN D. C. NEWTON, II Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 15th day of May, 2018.

Florida Laws (3) 120.569120.57760.10
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DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO vs FRANCISCO JAVIER MOYA, D/B/A LA CATRACHA FISH MARKET AND RESTAURANT, 95-001430 (1995)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Miami, Florida Mar. 23, 1995 Number: 95-001430 Latest Update: Sep. 14, 1995

The Issue Whether Respondent committed the violations alleged in the Administrative Action? If so, what penalty should be imposed?

Findings Of Fact Based upon the evidence adduced at hearing, and the record as a whole, the following Findings of Fact are made: The Licensed Premises La Catracha Fish Market and Restaurant (hereinafter referred to as the "Restaurant") is an eatery located at 1255 West 46th Street, Hialeah, Florida, that sells beer and wine pursuant to alcoholic beverage license number 23-15943, series 2-COP. The Restaurant offers both counter and table service. The counter where patrons are served (hereinafter referred to as the "Counter") is situated toward the front of the Restaurant, to the right of the entrance. Ownership and Operation of the Restaurant Respondent is now, and has been at all times material to the instant case, the owner of the Restaurant and the holder of the license that authorizes the sale of alcoholic beverages on the premises. Respondent and his wife, Juanita, are now, and have been at all times material to the instant case, actively involved in the operation of the Restaurant. They maintain a regular presence on the premises. Among other things, Juanita mans the cash register behind the Counter. From February of 1994, until the end of July of that year, when the Moyas were on an extended vacation, Respondent had "other people" run the business. When they returned from their vacation, the Moyas discovered that the Restaurant had a "new clientele." The Undercover Operation Elio Oliva and Antonio Llaneras are detectives with the Hialeah Police Department. In August and September of 1994, they participated in an undercover investigation at the Restaurant. The investigation was initiated after the Hialeah Police Department had received complaints that illegal drug and gambling activities were taking place on the premises. The August 31, 1994, Visit The undercover operation began on August 31, 1994. On that date, Oliva and Llaneras, dressed in civilian attire, went to the Restaurant to see if they would be able to make a controlled buy of narcotics. Upon entering the Restaurant, they walked over to the Counter and sat down. From their vantage point at the Counter, Oliva and Llaneras observed a number of patrons walk up to another patron, Antonio Rosales, 1/ hand him money and receive in return a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. After approximately 20 minutes, Oliva approached Rosales and asked him if he had any cocaine to sell. Rosales responded in the negative, but directed Oliva to another patron in the Restaurant, from whom Oliva purchased a clear plastic bag containing, what the patron represented was, a half of a gram of powdered cocaine. The transaction occurred at the Counter in plain view. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Oliva subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. 2/ The September 1, 1994, Visit Oliva and Llaneras returned to the Restaurant at around 8:00 p.m. on September 1, 1994. When they arrived, Rosales was at the Counter. There was a telephone on the Counter near where Rosales was seated. Rosales received incoming calls on the telephone that evening. (Employees at the Restaurant answered the telephone and handed it to Rosales, who then engaged in conversation with the caller.) Upon entering the Restaurant, Oliva noticed Rosales at the Counter and walked up to him. He told Rosales that he was interested in purchasing cocaine and then handed Rosales $20.00. Rosales thereupon pulled out from one of his pockets a clear plastic bag containing, what Rosales represented was, a half of a gram of powdered cocaine. He then gave the bag to Oliva. The transaction occurred in plain view. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Respondent's wife was on the premises at the time of the transaction. Oliva subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. 3/ The September 2, 1994, Visit Llaneras went back to the Restaurant the following day. When he arrived, Rosales was again at the Counter. From his position near the entrance of the Restaurant, Llaneras, in a normal tone of voice, told Rosales that he wanted to buy a half of a gram of cocaine. Rosales thereupon signaled for Llaneras to sit down next to him. Llaneras complied with Rosales' request. Rosales then pulled out from one of his pockets a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Upon handing the bag to Llaneras, Rosales bragged, rather loudly, that it was "good stuff." The transaction occurred in plain view. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Respondent and his wife were behind the Counter at the time of the transaction. Llaneras subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance was later analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .3 grams of cocaine. The September 6, 1994, Visit On September 6, 1994, Llaneras returned to the Restaurant, accompanied by Oliva. On separate occasions, they each approached Rosales, who was seated at the Counter. Llaneras' September 6, 1994, Purchase When Llaneras approached Rosales, Rosales asked him if he "needed some more." Llaneras' response was to hand Rosales $20.00. Rosales then took out a folded napkin from one of his pockets and placed the napkin on top of the Counter. He proceeded to unfold the napkin. Inside the napkin were approximately 12 clear plastic bags. Each contained a white powdery substance. Rosales handed one of the bags to Llaneras. He told Llaneras that it was "good stuff." The transaction occurred in plain view. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Respondent's wife was behind the Counter, approximately three to four feet from Llaneras and Rosales, at the time of the transaction. Llaneras subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance was later analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .3 grams of cocaine. Oliva's September 6, 1994, Purchase When Oliva approached Rosales, he handed Rosales $20.00. Rosales thereupon took out a folded napkin from one of his pockets and unfolded it on top of the Counter. Inside the napkin were approximately ten clear plastic bags, each of which contained a white powdery substance. Rosales handed one of the bags to Oliva. The transaction occurred in plain view. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Respondent's wife was behind the Counter, approximately six feet from Llaneras and Rosales, and was facing in their direction at the time of the transaction. The substance Oliva had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day was subsequently analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of cocaine. The September 14, 1994, Visit Oliva and Llaneras next visited the Restaurant on September 14, 1994. When they arrived at the Restaurant, Rosales was seated at the Counter talking on the telephone. Oliva sat down at the Counter next to Rosales and handed him $20.00. As he had done during his previous encounter with Oliva on September 6, 1994, Rosales took out a folded napkin from one of his pockets and unfolded it on top of the Counter. Inside the napkin was a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Rosales handed the bag to Oliva. The transaction occurred in plain view. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Respondent's wife and the barmaids on duty were behind the Counter at the time of the transaction. The substance Oliva had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day was subsequently analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .3 grams of cocaine. The September 15, 1994, Visit Oliva and Llaneras returned to the Restaurant on the following day, September 15, 1994. Gaming Activities During their visit, they heard a loud commotion in the kitchen and went to investigate. Upon entering the kitchen, 4/ they observed several persons, including Respondent and Rosales, gathered around a table participating in a game similar to roulette. The table was round and approximately three feet in diameter. It was filled with indentations painted either black or white. A funnel was held above the center of the table through which a marble was dropped. Participants in the game bet on whether the marble would come to rest on a black or white colored indentation. If the marble landed on a white indentation, the person dropping the marble would win the money that was in the pot. If it landed on a black indentation, the other player(s) would win. The game did not require any skill to play. Its outcome was based entirely on chance. After entering the kitchen, both Oliva and Llaneras played the game. Oliva's September 15, 1994, Purchase While Oliva was in the kitchen, Rosales asked him if he "needed anything." Oliva indicated that he did and handed Rosales $20.00. In return, Rosales gave Oliva a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Oliva and Rosales each spoke in a normal tone of voice during the exchange. Respondent was among those who were in the kitchen at the time of the transaction. The substance Oliva had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day was subsequently analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .3 grams of cocaine. Llaneras' September 15, 1994, Purchase Llaneras also made a buy from Rosales in the kitchen. Rosales initiated the transaction. He asked Llaneras if he needed any cocaine. Llaneras responded in the affirmative and gave Rosales $20.00, in return for which Llaneras received from Rosales a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Llaneras and Rosales each spoke in a louder than normal tone of voice during the exchange. Respondent was in the kitchen a few feet away from Llaneras and Rosales when the transaction took place. Llaneras subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance was later analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .2 grams of cocaine. The September 16, 1994, Visit The next day, September 16, 1994, Oliva and Llaneras came back to the Restaurant. During their visit on this date, they each made buys from Rosales. Oliva's September 16, 1994, Purchase Rosales was at the Counter talking with Respondent's wife when Oliva approached him. After greetings were exchanged, Rosales asked Oliva if he "needed anything," in response to which Oliva handed Rosales $20.00. Rosales then gave Oliva a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Oliva and Rosales each spoke in a normal tone of voice during the exchange. The substance Oliva had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day was subsequently analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .2 grams of cocaine. Llaneras' September 16, 1994, Purchase Rosales was in the kitchen when Llaneras approached him and inquired about purchasing a half of a gram of powdered cocaine. After Llaneras tendered the money needed to make the purchase, Rosales gave him a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Llaneras and Rosales each spoke in a louder than normal tone of voice during the exchange. Respondent was in the kitchen, approximately three to four feet away from Llaneras and Rosales, when the transaction took place. Respondent's wife was also nearby. Llaneras subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance was later analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .2 grams of cocaine. The September 22, 1994, Visit Oliva and Llaneras paid separate visits to the Restaurant on September 22, 1994. During their visits, they each made buys from Rosales. Oliva's September 22, 1994, Purchase Rosales was at the Counter talking with Respondent's wife when Oliva walked up to him. Rosales interrupted his conversation with Respondent's wife to ask Oliva if he "needed anything." In response to Rosales' inquiry, Oliva handed Rosales $20.00. Rosales then handed Oliva a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Oliva and Rosales each spoke in a normal tone of voice during the exchange. Respondent's wife was behind the Counter, approximately four to five feet from Oliva and Rosales, when the transaction took place. The substance Oliva had purchased from Rosales at the restaurant that day was subsequently analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .3 grams of cocaine. Llaneras' September 22, 1994, Purchase Llaneras encountered Rosales as Rosales was leaving the Restaurant. Rosales asked Llaneras if he "needed anything." Llaneras responded in the affirmative. Rosales, in turn, told Llaneras to wait at the Counter. Rosales then left the Restaurant. He returned shortly thereafter with a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, which he handed to Llaneras. The transaction took place in plain view of Respondent's wife, who was approximately three feet away behind the Counter. Respondent was on the premises at the time of the transaction. Llaneras subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance was later analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .3 grams of cocaine. Llaneras' September 28, 1994, Visit Llaneras next visited the Restaurant on September 28, 1994. Rosales was seated at the Counter when Llaneras entered the Restaurant. He saw Llaneras enter and walked up to him. Llaneras greeted Rosales by telling Rosales, in a normal tone of voice, that he wanted to purchase cocaine. He then handed Rosales $20.00. In return, Rosales gave Llaneras a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. Respondent's wife was behind the Counter when the transaction took place. Respondent was on the premises. Llaneras subsequently conducted a field test of the substance he had purchased from Rosales at the Restaurant that day. The field test was positive for the presence of cocaine. The substance was later analyzed at the Metro-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory. The analysis revealed the presence of .2 grams of cocaine. Oliva's September 29, 1994, Visit Oliva returned to the Restaurant on September 29, 1994. He met Rosales at the Restaurant. As was his usual custom when he conversed with Oliva, Rosales asked if Oliva "needed anything." As was his customary response to such an inquiry, Oliva handed Rosales $20.00. Rosales then stepped outside the Restaurant and retrieved from his car, which was parked in front of the Restaurant, a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance. When he returned to the Restaurant, he handed the bag to Oliva. The transaction occurred in plain view at the Counter. There was no effort to conceal what was taking place. Oliva and Rosales each spoke in a normal tone of voice during the exchange. Respondent's wife was behind the Counter at the time of the transaction. Respondent was on the premises. Respondent's Responsibility for Drug Transactions on Licensed Premises Although Respondent may not have been directly involved in any of the above-described sales of cocaine that took place at the Restaurant during the Hialeah Police Department's undercover operation and he may not have even been on the licensed premises at the time of some of these sales, given the persistent and repeated nature of the transactions and the open manner in which they were made, the inference is made that Respondent either fostered, condoned, or negligently overlooked them.

Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby RECOMMENDED that the Department enter a final order finding Respondent guilty of the violations alleged in Counts 1 and 3 through 12 of the Administrative Action and penalizing Respondent therefor by revoking his alcoholic beverage license number 23-15943, series 2-COP. DONE AND ENTERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 11th day of August, 1995. STUART M. LERNER Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 11th day of August, 1995.

Florida Laws (8) 561.29775.082775.083775.084849.01849.15893.03893.13 Florida Administrative Code (1) 61A-2.022
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BERNARD BROOKS vs THE MG HERRING GROUP, INC., 17-005411 (2017)
Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Filed:Gainesville, Florida Sep. 28, 2017 Number: 17-005411 Latest Update: Jul. 20, 2018

The Issue Whether Respondent, The MG Herring Group, Inc. (MG Herring), was an employer of Petitioners.

Findings Of Fact Xencom provides general maintenance, landscaping, housekeeping, and office cleaning services to retail facilities. In September of 2015, Xencom entered three contracts for services with CREFII Market Street Holdings, LLC (CREFII). The contracts were to provide maintenance, landscaping, and office cleaning services for a mall known as Market Street @ Heathbrook (Market Street) in Ocala, Florida. Michael Ponds, Xencom’s president, executed the contracts on behalf of Xencom. Two individuals executed the contracts on behalf of CREFII. One was Gar Herring, identified as Manager for Herring Ocala, LLC. The other was Bernard E. McAuley, identified as Manager of Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC. MG Herring was not a party or signatory to the contracts. MG Herring does not own or operate Market Street. A separate entity, The MG Herring Property Group, LLC (Property Group) operated Market Street. The contracts, in terms stated in an exhibit to them, established a fixed price for the year’s work, stated the scope of services, and detailed payment terms. They also identified labor and labor-related costs in detail that included identifying the Xencom employees involved, their compensation, and their weekly number of hours. The contract exhibits also identified operating costs, including equipment amortization, equipment repairs, fuel expenses, vacation costs, health insurance, and storage costs. The contracts ended December 31, 2016. The contracts specify that Xencom is an independent contractor. Each states: “Contractor is an independent contractor and not an employee or agent of the owner. Accordingly, neither Contractor nor any of Contractor’s Representatives shall hold themselves out as, or claim to be acting in the capacity of, an agent or employee of Owner.” The contracts also specify that the property manager may terminate the contract at any time without reason for its convenience. The contracts permit Xencom to engage subcontractors with advance approval of the property manager. They broadly describe the services that Xencom is to provide. Xencom has over 80 such contracts with different facilities. As the contracts contemplate, only Xencom exerted direct control of the Petitioners working at Market Street. Property Group could identify tasks and repairs to be done. Xencom decided who would do them and how. In 2013, Xencom hired Michael Harrison to work as its Operations Manager at Market Street. He was charged with providing services for which Property Group contracted. His immediate supervisor was Xencom’s Regional Manager. In 2016, that was David Snell. Mr. Snell was not located at Market Street. Property Group also did not have a representative on site. Before Xencom hired him, Mr. Harrison worked at Market Street for Property Group. Xencom hired the remaining Petitioners to work at Market Street under Mr. Harrison’s supervision. Each of the Petitioners completed an Application for Employment with Xencom. The application included a statement, initialed by each Petitioner, stating, “Further, I understand and agree that my employment is for no definite period and I may be terminated at any time without previous notice.” All of the Petitioners also received Xencom’s employee handbook. As Xencom’s Operations Manager and supervisor of the other Petitioners, Mr. Harrison was responsible for day-to-day management of Petitioners. He scheduled their work tasks, controlled shifts, established work hours, and assigned tasks. Mr. Harrison also decided when Petitioners took vacations and time off. His supervisor expected him to consult with Property Group to ensure it knew what support would be available and that he knew of any upcoming events or other considerations that should be taken into account in his decisions. As Operations Manager, Mr. Harrison was also responsible for facilitating payroll, procuring supplies, and managing Xencom’s equipment at the site. Xencom provided Petitioners work uniforms that bore Xencom’s name. Xencom required Petitioners to wear the uniforms at work. Xencom provided the supplies and equipment that Petitioners used at work. Only Xencom had authority to hire or fire the employees providing services to fulfill its contracts with the property manager. Only Xencom had authority to modify Petitioners’ conditions of employment. Neither MG Herring, Property Group, nor Xencom held out Petitioners as employees of MG Herring or Property Group. There is no evidence that MG Herring or Property Group employed 15 or more people. Property Group hired Tina Wilson as Market Street’s on- site General Manager on February 1, 2016. Until then there was no Property Group representative at the site. The absence of a Property Group representative on-site left Mr. Harrison with little oversight or accountability under the Xencom contracts for Market Street. His primary Property Group contact was General Manager Norine Bowen, who was not located at the property. Ms. Wilson’s duties included community relations, public relations, marketing, leasing, litigation, tenant coordination, lease management, construction management, and contract management. She managed approximately 40 contracts at Market Street, including Xencom’s three service agreements. Ms. Wilson was responsible for making sure the contracts were properly executed. Managing the Xencom contracts consumed less than 50 percent of Ms. Wilson’s time. During the last weeks of 2016, Mr. Harrison intended to reduce the hours of Kylie Smithers. Ms. Wilson requested that, since Ms. Smithers was to be paid under the contract for full- time work, Ms. Smithers assist her with office work such as filing and making calls. Mr. Harrison agreed and scheduled Ms. Smithers to do the work. This arrangement was limited and temporary. It does not indicate Property Group control over Xencom employees. Ms. Wilson was Xencom’s point of contact with Property Group. She and Mr. Harrison had to interact frequently. Ms. Wilson had limited contact with the other Xencom employees at Market Street. Friction and disagreements arose quickly between Mr. Harrison and Ms. Wilson. They may have been caused by having a property manager representative on-site after Mr. Harrison’s years as either the manager representative himself or as Xencom supervisor without a property manager on-site. They may have been caused by personality differences between the two. They may have been caused by the alleged sexual and crude comments that underlie the claims of discrimination in employment. They may have been caused by a combination of the three factors. On November 21, 2016, Norine Bowen received an email from the address xencomempoyees@gmail.com with the subject of “Open your eyes about Market Street.” It advised that some employees worked at night for an event. It said that Ms. Wilson gave the Xencom employees alcohol to drink while they were still on the clock. The email said that there was a fight among Xencom employees. The email also said that at another event at a restaurant where Xencom employees were drinking, Ms. Wilson gave Ms. Smithers margaritas to drink and that Ms. Smithers was underage. The email claimed that during a tree-lighting event Ms. Wilson started drinking around 3:30 p.m. It also stated that Ms. Wilson offered a Xencom employee a drink. The email went on to say that children from an elementary school and their parents were present and that Ms. Wilson was “three sheets to the wind.” The email concludes stating that Ms. Wilson had been the subject of three employee lawsuits. On December 14, 2016, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Bowen, and Mr. Snell met at Property Group’s office in Market Street for their regular monthly meeting to discuss operations at Market Street. Their discussion covered a number of management issues including a Xencom employee’s failure to show up before 8:00 to clean as arranged, security cameras, tenants who had not paid rent, lease questions, HVAC questions, and rats on the roof. They also discussed the email’s allegations. The participants also discussed a number of dissatisfactions with Mr. Harrison’s performance. Near the end of a discussion about the anonymous email, this exchange occurred:2/ Bowen: Okay, so I know that David [Snell], I think his next step is to conduct his own investigation with his [Xencom] people, and HR is still following up with John Garrett, and you’re meeting with Danny [intended new Xencom manager for Market Street] tonight? David Snell: Yes. Bowen: To finish up paperwork, and, based on his investigation, it will be up to Xencom to figure out what to do with people that are drinking on property, off the clock or on the clock, you know, whatever, what their policy is. * * * Bowen: So, I don’t know what to make of it. I’m just here to do an investigation like I’m supposed to do and David is here to pick up the pieces and meet with his folks one-on- one, and we’ll see where this takes us. This exchange and the remainder of the recording do not support a finding that Property Group controlled Xencom’s actions or attempted to control them. The participants were responsibly discussing a serious complaint they had received, their plan to investigate it, and pre-existing issues with Mr. Harrison. The exchange also makes clear that all agreed the issues involving Xencom employees were for Xencom to address, and the issues involving Property Group employees were for Property Group to address. At the time of the December 14, 2016, meeting, the participants were not aware of any complaints from Mr. Harrison or Mr. Smithers of sexual harassment or discrimination by Ms. Wilson. On December 15, 2016, Gar Herring and Norine Bowen received an email from Mr. Harrison with an attached letter to Xencom’s Human Resources Manager, and others. Affidavits from Petitioners asserting various statements and questions by Ms. Wilson about Mr. Harrison’s and Mr. Smithers’ sex life and men’s genitalia and statements about her sex life and the genitalia of men involved were attached. Xencom President Michael Ponds received a similar email with attachments on the same day. On December 21, 2016, Mr. Ponds received a letter from Herring Ocala, LLC, and Tricom Market Street at Heathbrook, LLC, terminating the service agreements. Their agreements with Xencom were going to expire December 31, 2016. They had been negotiating successor agreements. However, they had not executed any. Xencom terminated Petitioners’ employment on December 21, 2016. Xencom no longer needed Petitioners’ services once MG Herring terminated the contract with Xencom. This was the sole reason it terminated Petitioners.

Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that Florida Commission on Human Relations enter a final order denying the Petitions of all Petitioners. DONE AND ENTERED this 11th day of May, 2018, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S JOHN D. C. NEWTON, II Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 11th day of May, 2018.

Florida Laws (4) 120.569120.57760.02760.10
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