(PS) Ramirez v. Haaland ( 2023 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 DON EPIGMENIO RAMIREZ, No. 2:19-CV-0845-DMC 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. MEMORANDUM OF DECISION 14 DEB HAALAND, 15 Defendant. 16 17 Plaintiff, who is proceeding pro se, brings this civil action. Pursuant to the written 18 consent of all parties, this case is before the undersigned as the presiding judge for all purposes, 19 including entry of final judgment. See 28 U.S.C. § 636(c); see also ECF No. 19 (order 20 reassigning case to Magistrate Judge). The parties appeared before the undersigned in Redding, 21 California, on October 25, 2022, for a bench trial. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 22 52(a)(1)1, the Court issues this memorandum opinion and decision in which the Court sets forth 23 its findings of facts and conclusions of law. 24 25 1 Rule 52(a) provides in relevant part: 26 (1) In an action tried on the facts without a jury. . ., the court must find the facts specially and state its conclusions of law separately. The 27 findings and conclusions may be stated on the record after the close of the evidence or may appear in an opinion or a memorandum of decision filed 28 by the court. 1 I. PLAINTIFF’S ALLEGATIONS 2 This action proceeds on Plaintiff’s pro se first amended complaint as against 3 Defendant Deb Haaland, Secretary, Department of the Interior. See ECF No. 23. There Plaintiff 4 raised three claims against Defendant: (1) an equal employment opportunity claim under 42 5 U.S.C. § 2000e; (2) a defamation, slander, and libel claim under 28 U.S.C. § 4101; and (3) a 6 conspiracy claim under 18 U.S.C § 241. See id. at 2. However, following Defendant’s Motion 7 for Summary Judgment, ECF No. 26, the Court ruled on June 14, 2022, that this action would 8 proceed to trial on a single claim – Plaintiff’s employment discrimination claim under Title VII, 9 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a). See ECF No. 40. The Court held that Plaintiff’s defamation claim is 10 barred under the SPEECH Act, 28 U.S.C. § 4101. See id. at 10-11. The Court also concluded 11 that Plaintiff’s conspiracy claim under 18 U.S.C. § 241 could not proceed. See id. at 11-12. 12 13 II. BURDEN OF PROOF AND LEGAL STANDARD 14 The Plaintiff’s burden of proof in the pending civil action is that of preponderance 15 of evidence, or proof by the greater weight of evidence. 16 Title VII, 42 U.S.C. sec 2000e-2(a) governs Plaintiff’s remaining claim in this 17 action. That section provides: 18 It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer—(1) to fail or refuse to hire or to discharge any individual, or otherwise to 19 discriminate against any individual with respect to his compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such 20 individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin; or (2) to limit, segregate, or classify his employees or applicants for employment in any 21 way which would deprive or tend to deprive any individual of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect his status as an 22 employee, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. 23 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-2(a). 24 25 Such Title VII claims are subject to the burden shifting analysis set forth in 26 McDonald Douglas Corporation v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973). See Rivera v. East Bay 27 Municipal Utility District 799 Fed Appx. 481, 483 (9th Cir. 2020). In ruling on Defendant’s 28 Summary Judgment in the instant case, ECF No. 40, the Court found that Plaintiff met his burden 1 of establishing a prima facie case of employment discrimination, and that the burden of 2 production then shifted to Defendant to articulate some legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for 3 Defendant’s election not to rehire Plaintiff. See ECF No. 40. The Court also found that 4 Defendant’s met their burden in the contentions that Plaintiff was not asked to return as a 5 seasonal employee because he twice refused to comply with a direct order from his supervisor to 6 clean a park restroom, and that as a seasonal, not permanent employee, Plaintiff had no guarantee 7 of a future position. See id. These defenses, along with Defendant’s further contentions that 8 Plaintiff’s position was filled for budgetary, not racial considerations, were then subject to the 9 Court’s evaluation of the credibility of Defendant’s proffered explanations. Id. at 7-8. 10 On Summary Judgment, the Court found that: 11 “If the employer meets this burden, the plaintiff must raise a triable issue of material fact, through direct or circumstantial evidence, 12 demonstrating that the employer’s reasons for the challenged action are mere pretext and ‘that a discriminatory reason more likely motivated the 13 employer.’” Rivera, 799 Fed. Appx. at 483 (citations omitted). “Circumstantial evidence of pretext must be specific and substantial in 14 order to survive summary judgment.” Bergene v. Salt River Project Agr. Imp. and Power Dist., 272 F.3d 1136, 1142 (9th Cir. 2001) (citation 15 omitted). “Alternatively, an employee may offer evidence that the employer’s proffered explanation is unworthy of credence.” Rivera, 799 16 Fed. Appx. at 483 (citations omitted). Plaintiff’s evidence of pretext and that a discriminatory 17 reason more likely motivated the employer is neither very specific or substantial. Plaintiff merely mentions that that the qualifications for his 18 seasonal position were lowered and that Defendant hired a white male maintaining the “Caucasian dominated workforce.” See ECF No. 30, pg. 19 31. Plaintiff also mentions, “of the some close to 50 ‘Permanent Employees’ there at Lassen Volcanic National Park at the time of the 20 Plaintiff’s departure, the Plaintiff alleges there were zero that weren’t Caucasian.” Id. 21 Plaintiff has not provided any documentation indicating a discriminatory motivation on the part of Defendant nor has Plaintiff 22 alleged that Defendant used any derogatory words or used racial slurs in talking about or to Plaintiff. The Court find that this evidence is not 23 substantial evidence indicating that Defendant’s actions were a pretext and that a discriminatory reason more likely motivated him. 24 Plaintiff does, however, provide evidence that Defendant’s proffered explanation is unworthy of credence. . . . 25 ECF No. 40, pgs. 8-10. 26 27 The Court having concluded on Summary Judgment that Plaintiff had in fact 28 carried the burden of bringing into question the veracity of Defendant’s explanation, this matter 1 proceeded to trial for determination of the credibility of the explanation for Defendant’s acts and 2 omissions here, and the related disputed factual issues identified by the Parties. 3 III. RULINGS ON MOTIONS IN LIMINE AND POST-TRIAL OBJECTIONS 4 On June 24, 2022, the Court directed the parties to file a joint pre-trial statement 5 and motions in limine for hearing at a pre-trial conference. See ECF No. 47. The parties 6 appeared before the undersigned on September 22, 2022, for a pre-trial conference and the Court 7 issued a final pre-trial order on September 29, 2022. See ECF No. 61. 8 A. Motions in Limine 9 At the final pre-trial conference, the Court ruled on pending motions in limine as 10 follows: 11 1. Plaintiff’s Motions 12 In motion in limine no. 1, Plaintiff seeks an order precluding Gary Mott’s 13 testimony to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In motion in limine no. 14 2, Plaintiff seeks the same relief as to testimony offered to the EEOC by Steve Gibbons, and in 15 motion in limine no. 3, Plaintiff seeks exclusion of Michael Hayden’s EEOC testimony. In 16 support of all three motions, Plaintiff contends that these witnesses’ EEOC testimony is “tainted” 17 because the witnesses were not sequestered, were present for the testimony of the others, and thus 18 could have collaborated as to their statements. 19 Plaintiff’s motions were granted at the pre-trial conference and the declarations 20 were excluded insofar as they were not entered into evidence in lieu of the witnesses’ live 21 testimony. Plaintiff was, however, permitted to use the EEOC declarations for impeachment 22 purposes. 23 2. Defendant’s Motion 24 In her only motion in limine, no. 1, Defendant seeks an order precluding Plaintiff 25 from offering at trial any evidence which should have but was not disclosed during discovery. 26 Consistent with Federal Rule of Civil Procedures 26 and 37, this motion was denied without 27 prejudice to renewal at time of trial in the context of specific evidence offered by Plaintiff which 28 was not produced during discovery. 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 B. Post-Trial Objections 4 A bench trial was conducted before the undersigned on October 25, 2022.2 5 Following the presentation of evidence, the Court set a schedule for post-trial briefing. The 6 parties were directed to file simultaneous written closing arguments, with the parties permitted to 7 file simultaneous responses thereto, and Plaintiff permitted to file a final rebuttal brief in response 8 to Defendant’s arguments. The parties have filed the following post-trial briefs: 9 November 15, 2022 ECF No. 68 Defendant’s closing argument. 10 November 15, 2022 ECF No. 69 Plaintiff’s closing argument. 11 November 21, 2022 ECF No. 70 Defendant’s reply closing argument. 12 November 21, 2022 ECF No. 71 Defendant’s objections to Plaintiff’s closing argument. 13 November 23, 2022 ECF No. 72 Plaintiff’s final closing argument. 14 November 29, 2022 ECF No. 73 Defendant’s objections to Plaintiff’s 15 final closing argument. 16 November 28, 2022 ECF No. 74 Plaintiff’s first rebuttal to Defendant’s objections to Plaintiff’s final closing 17 argument. 18 November 30, 2022 ECF No. 75 Plaintiff’s second rebuttal to Defendant’s objections to Plaintiff’s final closing 19 argument. 20 December 2, 2022 ECF No. 76 Defendant’s objections to Plaintiff’s first and second rebuttals. 21 December 5, 2022 ECF No. 77 Plaintiff’s response to Defendant’s 22 objections. 23 To the extent Defendant objects to consideration of any of Plaintiff’s post-trial 24 briefs because they were not filed consistent with the briefing schedule set by the Court at the 25 conclusion of trial, such objections are overruled. Given Plaintiff’s pro se status and to provide 26 the fullest opportunity to be heard on his claim, the Court will consider all of Plaintiff’s post- 27 2 The action was tried without a jury pursuant to the parties’ stipulation. See ECF 28 Nos. 43, 45. 1 trial submissions. The Court finds no prejudice to Defendant in doing so. 2 / / / 3 IV. STIPULATED FACTS 4 The parties have stipulated that the following facts are undisputed: 5 1. Ramirez was born on September 26, 1954. 6 2. Ramirez was a temporary, seasonal Maintenance Worker, WG-4749-07, at U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”), National Park 7 Service (“NPS”), Lassen Volcanic National Park, ("LVNP") Mineral, CA. 8 3. Ramirez worked at LVNP from 2002 to 2015 during the months of May through November as a temporary, seasonal employee. 9 4. Ramirez was not asked to return to his temporary, seasonal 10 Maintenance Worker position in 2016. 11 5. Michael Hayden was the Building and Maintenance Supervisor at DOI/NPS/LVNP from May 2014 until his retirement in 12 January 2019. 13 6. Hayden was Ramirez’s direct supervisor during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at LVNP. 14 7. Gary Mott has been the Supervisory Facilities Operations 15 Specialist and Chief of Maintenance, GS-13, at DOI/NPS/LVNP since March 2015. 16 8. Mott was Ramirez’s second-line supervisor during the 2015 17 season at LVNP. 18 9. Stephen Gibbons was Superintendent, GS-14, of DOI/NPS/LVNP from November 2014 until his retirement in 2017. 19 Gibbons was employed at NPS since November 22, 1982. 20 10. Gibbons was Ramirez’s third-line supervisor during the 2015 season at LVNP. 21 11. Since Ramirez only occupied a temporary, seasonal 22 position, as opposed to a permanent one, he was not guaranteed a position from one season to the next. 23 12. Ramirez’s temporary, seasonal appointment did not confer 24 eligibility to be promoted or reassigned to other positions at LVNP. 25 13. Ramirez had reinstatement eligibility that afforded him an opportunity to potentially return each season depending on his 26 performance, the needs of LVNP, and if funding was available. 27 28 1 terminated at any time prior to the end of the specified appointment period. 2 15. As a temporary, seasonal appointment, Ramirez was not 3 eligible for healthcare or any other benefits at LVNP. 4 16. Ramirez filed an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) complaint on April 14, 2016. 5 17. Ramirez first initiated EEO counselor contact on April 14, 6 2016. 7 18. The office of Equal Employment Opportunity of the Department of Interior's Office of Civil Rights Agency initiated an 8 investigation of Ramirez's claims from June 2016 through December 2016. 9 19. On April 10, 2017, the Department of Interior's Office of 10 Civil Rights Agency issued a Final Agency Decision denying Ramirez’s discrimination claims on the merits pursuant to 29 C.F.R. § 1614.110. 11 20. On May 13, 2019, Ramirez filed a federal complaint 12 against David Bernhardt (former Secretary of the United States Department of Interior) asserting claims under (1) 42 U.S. Code 2000e-2- 13 Unlawful Employment Practices (a)/1 & 2-(b)/(1) & (2); (2) 29 U.S. Code Chapter 14-Age Discrimination in Employment; and (3) Executive Order 14 11246-Affirmative Action. Complaint, p. 3 A.I. 15 21. On April 1, 2021, Ramirez filed an Amended Complaint, asserting a claim for race discrimination under Title VII, based on 16 Defendant’s decisions to not ask him back as a seasonal Maintenance Worker or hire him for a permanent position. Ramirez also asserts claims 17 under 28 U.S.C § 4101 for defamation, slander, and libel, and under 18 U.S.C § 241 for conspiracy. 18 22. Ramirez seeks damages for projected wage loss for the 19 permanent Maintenance Worker position for a period of ten years from 2016. See ECF No. 23 (Amended Complaint). 20 23. After his employment at LVNP, Ramirez has not sought 21 other employment and/or has not been employed. Plaintiff contends that his home is in Mill Creek, CA 96061, it is bought and paid for and has 22 been home since 1980's, my job in Lassen Volcanic National Park was perfect for my retirement plans here in this area and why I put so much 23 time and effort into it. To seek water treatment elsewhere, would require me to move out of the area and most likely have to sell my house. In the 24 beginning I had hopes that I would get my job back (and would still entertain that), but as time went by and by as this attempt at redemption 25 has taken what seems forever (going on seven years!) this took a major toll on my finances making it literally impossible to move somewhere else 26 at this point. Which left me to survive on Social Security (which I had to apply for as soon as I was eligible) and EBT (food stamps) allotment. 27 So, I am not starving, and paying my bills, but living far from what I was accustomed to. I don't feel I should have to chase employment if in fact it 28 1 home. . . 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 24. On June 15, 2022, this Court denied Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment on Ramirez’s Title VII race discrimination claim, 5 but granted Defendant's Motion on Ramirez's claims for conspiracy, defamation, libel and slander. 6 ECF No. 54-1 (Exhibit 1 to joint pre-trial statement); ECF No. 61 (final 7 pre-trial order). 8 These facts are deemed stipulated and established for purposes of this 9 memorandum of decision. Further references to these stipulated facts will be to the facts as 10 numbered above. 11 12 V. DISPUTED FACTUAL ISSUES 13 The Parties contend that the following factual issues are in dispute: 14 1. Whether Ramirez was not asked to return for a Seasonal 15 Maintenance Worker, WG-4749-07, position in 2016 based on his race. 16 2. Whether Ramirez was not considered for the vacant, permanent Maintenance Worker, WG-4749-07, position based on his race. 17 3. Whether Ramirez suffered any damages as a result of 18 Defendant's alleged discrimination, and if so, in what amount. 19 4. Whether Ramirez mitigated his damages. 20 5. Whether, as a temporary, seasonal Maintenance Worker, Ramirez had a broad spectrum of responsibilities. 21 6. Whether Ramirez was expected to assist with park 22 maintenance, including building repairs, painting, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing. 23 7. Whether Ramirez’s job responsibilities included custodial 24 duties of cleaning restrooms, mopping and waxing floors, cleaning mirrors, windows, urinals, and toilet bowls. 25 ECF No. 54-1 (Exhibit 1 to joint pre-trial statement); ECF No. 54-2 26 (Exhibit 2 to joint pre-trial statement); ECF No. 61 (final pre-trial order). 27 The Court here finds that these disputed factual issues and the related issue of the 28 1 credibility of the explanations for Defendant’s acts and omissions define the scope of argument 2 and relevant evidence at trial. See ECF No. 61. 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 VI. EVIDENCE ADDUCED AT TRIAL 6 In addition to the stipulated facts agreed to by the Parties, at trial the Court 7 received evidence in the form of testimony from Plaintiff and from three Defense witnesses: 8 Stephen Gibbons; Michael Hayden; and Gary Mott, which testimony is set forth in the trial 9 transcript at ECF No. 65. The Court also received into evidence the exhibits listed below, each of 10 which were offered by Defendant. None of Plaintiff’s exhibits (marked as Exhibits A through F) 11 were offered or admitted. 12 Exhibit 101 4 pages Position Description, Maintenance Worker, WG-4749-07. 13 Exhibit 102 1-page Notification of Personnel Action. 14 Exhibit 103 4 pages Temporary/Excepted Employee Performance 15 Appraisal Plan. 16 Exhibit 106 1-page List of employee names, positions, and races/ethnicities. 17 Exhibit 107 3 pages Four photographs of the outhouse at the Warner 18 Valley Campground in October and November 2015.3 19 Exhibit 108 3 pages One photograph of the interior of the Drakesbad 20 pumphouse on May 12, 2015; two photographs of the interior of Plaintiff’s government vehicle 21 on May 13, 2015. 22 Exhibit 110 1-page December 15, 2015, letter from Stephen Cole to Stephen Gibbons. 23 Exhibit 112 14 pages November 13, 2016, affidavit of Plaintiff. 24 Exhibit 114 9 pages Pages 6 through 14 of Plaintiff’s response affidavit. 25 Exhibit 120 36 pages Plaintiff’s responses to Defendant’s interrogatories, 26 set one. 27 3 As originally marked Exhibit 107 consists of 4 pages. The fourth page containing 28 a single photograph of a toilet at the Crag Campground was not offered or admitted into evidence. 1 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 VII. FINDINGS OF FACT 6 Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 52(a)(1), the Court has carefully 7 weighed and considered all of the stipulated and admissible evidence the Court specially makes 8 the following findings of fact with respect to the disputed factual questions outlined above: 9 1. Was Ramirez not asked to return for a Seasonal Maintenance Worker position in 2016 based on his race 10 and 11 2. Was Ramirez not considered for the vacant, permanent 12 Maintenance Worker position based on his race 13 The Court finds in the negative as to both questions of fact. This finding is based 14 on a combination of stipulated facts and findings from the evidence at trial. Stipulated facts 15 informing this finding include: 16 2. Ramirez was a temporary, seasonal Maintenance Worker, WG-4749-07, at U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”), National Park 17 Service (“NPS”), Lassen Volcanic National Park, ("LVNP") Mineral, CA. 18 11. Since Ramirez only occupied a temporary, seasonal position, as opposed to a permanent one, he was not guaranteed a position 19 from one season to the next. 20 12. Ramirez’s temporary, seasonal appointment did not confer eligibility to be promoted or reassigned to other positions at LVNP. 21 13. Ramirez had reinstatement eligibility that afforded him an 22 opportunity to potentially return each season depending on his performance, the needs of LVNP, and if funding was available. 23 14. Ramirez’s temporary, seasonal appointment could be 24 terminated at any time prior to the end of the specified appointment period. 25 26 In addition to these stipulated facts, the Court’s finds that at trial Plaintiff 27 admitted that neither Mr. Hayden, Mr. Mott, nor Mr. Gibbons ever made a racially derogatory 28 remark to Plaintiff. At the trial, Plaintiff specifically testified that he does not claim that Mr. 1 Hayden made any decision relating to Plaintiff’s employment based on race. 60:1-3. Other than 2 Plaintiff’s contrary contentions in this regard, Plaintiff admitted at trial that there are no 3 witnesses, no writings, emails, texts, or memos to corroborate Plaintiff’s accusations that Mr. 4 Mott, Mr. Gibbons, or Mr. Hayden made a decision based on Plaintiff’s race. 60:13-23. As to 5 Mr. Mott, Plaintiff testified at trial that he believed Mott was motivated by jealousy over 6 Plaintiff’s prior participation in international freestyle skiing. 80:10-25. Further, Mr. Hayden 7 testified that he did not make any decision based on Plaintiff’s race. 59:9-60:3; 60:4-7. 8 Plaintiff also admitted at trial that he has not provided the Court with any data, 9 analysis, or studies regarding the racial demographics of some of the Lassen workforce. 81:10- 10 25. In this regard, the Court notes that Exhibit 106 was admitted into evidence. Exhibit 106 is a 11 one-page documents listing some, but not, Lassen employees’ names and race. This exhibit is of 12 very limited, if any, probative value, however, as it is incomplete. 13 The Court both accepts Plaintiff’s admission and finds the defense witness 14 testimony in this regard to be credible. As such, the Court finds that Plaintiff has not proved by a 15 preponderance of evidence that he was discriminated against in not being asked to return for the 16 2016 seasonal maintenance worker position or not being considered for the open permanent 17 maintenance worker position because of Plaintiff’s race. 18 3. Did Ramirez suffer any damages as a result of Defendant’s alleged discrimination 19 20 The Court finds in the negative. Because the Court finds that Defendants did not 21 discriminate against Plaintiff based on his race, Plaintiff therefore suffered no damages resulting 22 from racial discrimination. 23 4. Did Ramirez mitigate his damages 24 The Court finds in the negative. This question is answered based on the stipulated 25 facts. Specifically, stipulated fact No. 23 includes the agreed acknowledgement that: “After his 26 employment at LVNP, Ramirez has not sought other employment and/or has not been 27 employed.” 28 / / / 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 5. Did, as a temporary, seasonal Maintenance Worker, Ramirez have a broad spectrum of responsibilities 6 and 7 6. Was Ramirez expected to assist with park maintenance, 8 including repairs, painting, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing 9 and 10 7. Did Ramirez’s job responsibilities include custodial duties of cleaning restrooms, mopping and waxing floors, cleaning 11 mirrors, windows, urinals, and toilet bowls 12 The Court finds in the positive as to all three questions. Plaintiff was classified as 13 a maintenance worker, grade 4749-07 (WG-4749-07). 152:10-11. The maintenance worker 14 outline, Ex. 101, is “what every maintenance worker is supposed to do.” 52:18-53:1. The job 15 duties of the maintenance worker is to maintain water system, clean buildings, painting, masonry 16 work, and light electrical (but have to be subordinate to a higher-grade employee to do electrical 17 work)—typical maintenance that you would find on a building, trail, or in a campground. 18 152:18-23. In this position, Plaintiff was responsible for maintaining physical infrastructure in 19 the parks, typically roads and trails, buildings, campgrounds, utilities, public use facilities, and 20 comfort stations. 152:12:17. Although not specifically “spelled out” in the job description, water 21 treatment was part of his duties as well. Id.; Ex. 101. In the summer of 2015, Plaintiff’s actual 22 duties performed were primarily water treatment and the care of two campgrounds: the 23 campground at Juniper Lake and at Warner Valley, including water treatment systems in both 24 areas. 130:16-21. During the summer of 2015, Plaintiff was performing other non-water 25 treatment duties as well as administrative duties. 130:22-25. The Court finds that the 26 preponderance of the evidence establishes that Plaintiff had a broad spectrum of job 27 responsibilities as a seasonal maintenance worker and this spectrum of job responsibilities 28 included repairs, painting, carpentry, masonry, and plumbing. 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 VIII. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 6 Following the Court’s order on summary judgement, ECF No. 40, the remaining 7 legal question is whether Defendant employer’s proffered explanation for not re-hiring Plaintiff is 8 unworthy of credence. The Court having found that in the context of Plaintiff’s Title VII 9 employment discrimination claim Plaintiff had established a prima facie case of disparate 10 treatment, the burden of production shifted to the Defense to “articulate some legitimate, 11 nondiscriminatory reason for the challenged action.” Id., citing Rivera, 799 Fed. Appx. at 483 12 (citing Chuang v. Univ. of California Davis, Bd. of Trs., 225 F.3d 1115, 1123-24 (9th Cir. 2000)). 13 On summary judgment the Court also found that Defendant had met the threshold showing of a 14 nondiscriminatory reason for the employment decision, but that Plaintiff had subsequently failed 15 to establish that the employer’s reasons for the challenged action were mere pretext and “that a 16 discriminatory reason more likely motivated the employer.” Id. at 8-10 (quoting Rivera, 799 Fed. 17 Appx. at 483 (citations omitted)). The evidence introduced at trial did not change these 18 conclusions. 19 However, in ruling on Defendant’s dispositive Motion, the Court held that there 20 remained the issue of whether Defendant employer’s proffered explanation is unworthy of 21 credence.” Id. (citations omitted). As to that remaining issue, and pursuant to Federal Rule of 22 Civil Procedure 52(a)(1), the Court separately states the following conclusions of law consistent 23 with the above-cited legal principles, the stipulated facts, and the specially stated findings of facts 24 in dispute. 25 The Court finds as credible the Defendant’s explanation for not re-hiring Plaintiff 26 as based on Plaintiff’s job performance and considerations of economics, rather than any racial 27 motivation. Not only has Plaintiff simply offered no evidence corroborating his claim that anyone 28 involved in this case acted to discriminate against Plaintiff based on race, the evidence presented 1 by the defense, as well as those facts stipulated to by both parties, establish that the Defendant’s 2 proffered explanation is worthy of credence. 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 This conclusion of law is supported by the stipulated facts, specifically the 6 following: 2. Ramirez was a temporary, seasonal Maintenance Worker, 7 WG-4749-07, at U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”), National Park Service (“NPS”), Lassen Volcanic National Park, ("LVNP") Mineral, CA. 8 11. Since Ramirez only occupied a temporary, seasonal 9 position, as opposed to a permanent one, he was not guaranteed a position from one season to the next. 10 12. Ramirez’s temporary, seasonal appointment did not confer 11 eligibility to be promoted or reassigned to other positions at LVNP. 12 13. Ramirez had reinstatement eligibility that afforded him an opportunity to potentially return each season depending on his 13 performance, the needs of LVNP, and if funding was available. 14 14. Ramirez’s temporary, seasonal appointment could be terminated at any time prior to the end of the specified appointment 15 period. 16 The Court’s conclusion of law is also supported by testimony of the defense 17 witnesses Gibbons and Mott.4 In particular, Mr. Gibbons testified: 18 Q: And, Mr. Gibbons, I’m just going to point blank ask you. Did Mr. Ramirez’s race factor into any decision you made while you were 19 superintendent at Lassen? 20 A: No. 21 Q: And so just to be clear, did you consider n any respect Mr. Ramirez’s race when you made the decision to not advertise and fill that 22 permanent maintenance position with a new hire? 23 A: No. 24 Q: And did you have any knowledge, Mr. Gibbons, whether anyone at Lassen, Gary Mott or otherwise, ever made any decisions with respect to Mr. 25 Ramirez’s employment based on his race? 26 A: No. 27 28 4 As noted above, Plaintiff does not claim Hayden’s conduct was racially motivated. II III I EINE II IEE II ESE IIE III EE eee Q: What is your understanding, Mr. Gibbons, as to why Mr. | Ramirez was not ultimately asked to return to Lassen as a seasonal maintenance worker? 2 /// 3 /// 4 /// 5 A: My understanding that Mr. Ramirez — excuse me — that Mr. Ramirez was not asked back is that he was not a very good employee, and he was 6 not a team player, simple as that. 7 112-13:15-9. 8 Mr. Mott testified similarly: 9 Q: Mr. Mott, did you hire Mr. Cole over Mr. Ramirez because of 10 Mr. Ramirez’s race? 11 A: No. 12 Q: Why did you choose not to ask Mr. Ramirez back for the 2016 temporary position? 13 A: I felt Mr. Ramirez had a poor work ethic. He was resistant to 14 management and supervisory assignments. . . . 15 167:15-22. 16 The Court finds this testimony credible. 17 18 IX. DECISION 19 Based on the foregoing, the Court determines that Plaintiff has not established by a 20 preponderance of the evidence that he is entitled to damages as a result of race-based employment 21 discrimination in violation of Title VII. The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment in 22 favor of Defendant pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 58 and close this file. 23 ITIS SO ADJUDGED AND ORDERED. 24 25 Dated: January 3, 2023 26 DENNIS M. COTA 27 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 28 15