Caudill v. Dellinger , 129 N.C. App. 649 ( 1998 )

HORTON, Judge.

This appeal presents the following issues for decision: (I) whether Caudill forecast sufficient evidence to support her claim against Dellinger under the North Carolina Whistleblower Act; (II) whether Caudill forecast sufficient evidence to support her claim against Dellinger for common law wrongful discharge; (III) whether Caudill may bring claims against Dellinger, in his individual capacity, for violations of her rights to free speech and to due process of law under the North Carolina Constitution; (IV) whether Caudill may bring claims against Dellinger, in his individual capacity, for deprivation of her rights to free speech and due process under the United States Constitution in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983; and (V) whether plaintiff Caudill forecast sufficient evidence to support any of her claims against AOC and Bowman, and to resist those defendants’ motions for summary judgment. We will first discuss plaintiffs claims against former District Attorney Dellinger, combining for discussion the two claims based on the North Carolina Constitution, and combining the two § 1983 claims.

(I) The Whistleblower Act

Chapter 126 of the North Carolina General Statutes (State Personnel System) was enacted in 1965 for the express purpose of “establishing] for the government of the State a system of personnel administration under the Governor....” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-1 (Cum. Supp. 1997). Chapter 126 created the State Personnel Commission and gave it power to establish rules and policies governing personnel matters. N.C. Dept. of Justice v. Eaker, 90 N.C. App. 30, 34, 367 S.E.2d 392, 395, disc. review denied, 322 N.C. 836, 371 S.E.2d 279 (1988). Various categories of employees, including constitutional officers of the state, were exempted from portions of the Act. Other categories, including public school employees, and community college employees, were totally exempted from the Act. In 1989, Chapter 126 was amended by Chapter 236 of the 1989 Session Laws (Senate Bill 125), entitled “AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE REPORTING OF FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND ENDANGERMENT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, AND TO PROTECT INFORMANT STATE EMPLOYEES FROM RETALIATION.” Senate Bill 125 added Article 14, popularly known as the “Whistleblower Act,” to Chapter 126. Senate Bill 125 amended the provisions of Chapter 126 which set out numerous categories of exempt employees, by adding the following language: “(c5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, Article 14 of this Chapter shall apply to all State employees, public school employees, and community college employees.”

The trial court granted defendant Dellinger’s motion for summary judgment on the “Whistleblower” claim, apparently at least partially on the theory that the provisions of the Act do not apply to constitutional officers of the state under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(cl)(l) (Cum. Supp. 1997), which provides that “Constitutional officers of the State” are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 126 (except for two articles not pertinent to this appeal). Likewise, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(cl)(2) exempted “Officers and employees of the Judicial Department.” Defendant Dellinger was a district attorney at all times pertinent hereto, and all parties agree that he was a constitutional officer of the state pursuant to Article IV, Section 18, of the North Carolina Constitution. Plaintiff was administrative assistant to the District Attorney pursuant to the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-68 (1995), and thus was an employee within the Judicial Department. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(c5), the pertinent provision of the Whistleblower Act, makes it clear, however, that the protection of the Act applies to all state employees, regardless of any other provision of Chapter 126. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(c5). We note that N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(c5) also specifically includes public school employees and community college employees, two groups which were excluded prior to the amendment.

The legislative intent that the protections of this legislation apply to all state employees is clear; and we hold, therefore, that the provisions of the Whistleblower Act apply to plaintiff Caudill. The Act provides, in pertinent part, that “[n]o head of any State department, agency or institution or other State employee exercising supervisory authority shall discharge ...” a state employee because of a report of activities described in the Act. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-85(a) (Cum. Supp. 1997). Caudill served at the pleasure of the District Attorney and under his direct supervision. The Act authorizes an action against “the person or agency who committed the violation . . . .’’N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-86 (1995) (emphasis added). Here, Caudill contends Dellinger committed a violation of the Act by discharging her for protected activity. She brings this action against Dellinger individually, as the “person . . . who committed the violation” of the Act. It would be contrary to the intent and spirit of the Whistleblower Act that Caudill be denied relief merely because Dellinger, as a constitutional officer, is exempted from certain other portions of the Chapter which have no relationship to the Whistleblower provisions. See In Re Filing by Fire Ins. Rating Bureau, 275 N.C. 15, 34, 165 S.E.2d 207, 220 (1969) (statute is to be construed in light of the purpose to be accomplished by the legislation). Our construction of the Act results in no conflict between the two sections in question, and tends to suppress the evil which the legislature intended to prevent by this remedial legislation. In re Hardy, 294 N.C. 90, 96, 240 S.E.2d 367, 372 (1978).

Further, even if we assume arguendo that the two provisions in question are in pari materia, but are in irreconcilable conflict, the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(c5) were added later in time and will control. State v. Hutson, 10 N.C. App. 653, 657, 179 S.E.2d 858, 861 (1971). Application of that general rule of construction would seem to be especially appropriate in this case, since N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126-5(c5) provides that Article 14 applies to all state employees “[notwithstanding any other provision of. . . Chapter [126].”

Further, plaintiffs forecast of evidence makes out a prima facie claim under the Whistleblower Act. Such a claim consists of the following elements: “(1) [plaintiff] engaged in protected activity, (2) followed by an adverse employment action, and (3) that the protected conduct was a substantial or motivating factor in the adverse action.” Hanton v. Gilbert, 126 N.C. App. 561, 571, 486 S.E.2d 432, 439 (citation omitted), disc. review denied, 347 N.C. 266, 493 S.E.2d 454 (1997). In this case, Caudill has forecast evidence tending to show that she was performing satisfactorily as Dellinger’s administrative assistant until she talked with SBI agents in connection with their official investigation of Dellinger, when Dellinger learned of her actions he discharged her almost immediately, and her cooperation with SBI agents was a substantial or motivating factor in the decision to discharge her. As required by the holding in Hanton, Dellinger forecast evidence in support of his motion for summary judgment tending to show that he discharged Caudill “ ‘based on a legitimate non-retai-iatory motive,’ ” because of her change in attitude, negative comments she had made about him, and his loss of confidence in her loyalty. Id. Caudill meets her burden in her deposition testimony of “coming forward with evidence that her alleged whistleblowing activity was a substantial causative factor for her dismissal.” Id. The question of causation raises a genuine question of fact for the jury, so that summary judgment for defendant Dellinger was improvidently granted and must be reversed.

II. Common Law Wrongful Discharge

Plaintiff Caudill was employed by defendant Dellinger as an administrative assistant “to serve at his pleasure.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-68 (1995). Dellinger contends he “retained complete discretion in the evaluation of [Caudill’s] job performance and her job security,” and was “acting in his official capacity [in terminating her employment] and is entitled to absolute immunity.”

Although plaintiff served at the “pleasure” of District Attorney Dellinger and was thus an “at will” employee, this Court recognized an exception to the common law employment-at-will doctrine in Sides v. Duke University, 74 N.C. App. 331, 328 S.E.2d 818, disc. reviews denied, 314 N.C. 331, 333 S.E.2d 490, disc, review denied, 314 N.C. 331, 335 S.E.2d 13 (1985). In Sides, plaintiff was terminated in alleged retaliation for refusing to testify untruthfully in a medical malpractice case. This Court identified a cause of action for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy:

[W]hile there may be a right to terminate a contract at will for no reason, or for an arbitrary or irrational reason, there can be no right to terminate such a contract for an unlawful reason or purpose that contravenes public policy. A different interpretation would encourage and sanction lawlessness, which law by its very nature is designed to discourage and prevent. We hold, therefore, that no employer in this State, notwithstanding that an employment is at will, has the right to discharge an employee and deprive him of his livelihood without civil liability because he refuses to testify untruthfully or incompletely in a court case, as plaintiff alleges happened here.

Id. at 342, 328 S.E.2d at 826.

In Coman v. Thomas Mfg. Co., 325 N.C. 172, 381 S.E.2d 445 (1989), our Supreme Court adopted the public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine. In Coman, plaintiff was allegedly discharged for refusing to operate his vehicle excessive hours and refusing to falsify certain records in violation of U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Our Supreme Court held it was the public policy of this state to protect the safety of persons and property on the highways, and plaintiff’s claim for wrongful discharge should not have been dismissed by the trial court.

In the present case, plaintiff Caudill forecast evidence from which a jury could find she was discharged for giving truthful information about Dellinger’s expense accounts and falsification of bank documents to SBI agents. It is the public policy of this state that citizens cooperate with law enforcement officials in the investigation of crimes. Here, SBI agents were investigating serious allegations against Dellinger, including misappropriation of state funds through false requests for reimbursements of expenses. Plaintiffs cooperation with those agents in giving them information relative to their investigation was clearly protected activity which furthered the public policy of this state. Plaintiff has presented evidence which could support a claim for common law wrongful discharge.

Dellinger pleaded sovereign immunity as an absolute bar to plaintiffs claim, and argues he is entitled to absolute immunity regardless of his intent in discharging plaintiff. At the time of plaintiffs discharge, Dellinger was a district attorney, a constitutional officer of the state. We do not agree, however, that he is entitled to the defense of sovereign immunity if he was acting outside the scope of his authority as a district attorney. Here, the SBI was investigating possible violations of state law by Dellinger in filing incorrect expense reports and falsifying certain bank documents. Plaintiff has also offered evidence tending to show that when Dellinger learned of her statements to the SBI, he became angry and discharged her. If the jury agrees that Dellinger discharged plaintiff for cooperating with the SBI, then he was clearly acting outside the scope of his official duties (which included the investigation and prosecution of crimes against the state), and he is not entitled to the protection of the sovereign immunity defense. The question is for the jury, and the trial judge properly denied Dellinger’s motion for summary judgment on this claim.

III. Violations of North Carolina Constitution ,

Plaintiff also contends Dellinger violated her rights to free speech and due process under sections 14 and 19 of the North Carolina Constitution. Plaintiff sued Dellinger in his individual capacity as evidenced by the caption and allegations of the complaint. Plaintiff may not, however, successfully maintain an action against Dellinger in his individual capacity for alleged violations of her rights under the North Carolina Constitution. As explained in Comm, supra,

The Constitution only recognizes and secures an individual’s rights vis-a-vis “We, the people of the State of North Carolina,” not individual members of that body politic. Of course, the State may only act through its duly elected and appointed officials. Consequently, it is the state officials, acting in their official capacities, that are obligated to conduct themselves in accordance with the Constitution. Therefore, plaintiff may assert his freedom of speech right only against state officials, sued in their official capacity.

Corum, 330 N.C. at 788, 413 S.E.2d at 293.

The trial court should have granted Dellinger’s motion for summary judgment as to plaintiffs claims against him, which were based on alleged violations of the North Carolina Constitution. The trial court’s failure to do so was error.

IV. Section 1983 Claims

Plaintiff contends Dellinger violated her rights to free speech and due process under Amendments 1 and 14 to the United States Constitution, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which provides that

[e]very person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State ... subjects or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress.

Dellinger pleaded sovereign immunity as a defense to these claims, and contends he is entitled to absolute immunity because his actions in discharging plaintiff were in the scope of his duties as District Attorney. Sovereign immunity alleged under state law, however, is not a defense to an action under Section 1983. Martinez v. California, 444 U.S. 277, 284 n.8, 62 L. Ed. 2d 481, 488 n.8 (1980); Howlett v. Rose, 496 U.S. 356, 110 L. Ed. 2d 332 (1990). Although Dellinger now argues the defense of qualified immunity, he does not assert that defense in his pleadings and it is not before us.

V. Claims against AOC and Bowman

Although plaintiff does not now contend that either AOC or Bowman is guilty of discrimination or other wrongdoing in connection with her discharge, she contends both AOC and Bowman are necessary parties to this litigation. Otherwise, plaintiff contends, if she is successful in this litigation, she will not be able to secure such relief as reinstatement, payment of back wages, or other employment benefits. We disagree.

Although plaintiff contends she only seeks equitable relief against defendants AOC and Bowman, her amended complaint prays for compensatory and treble damages against all defendants. As this Court held in Minneman v. Martin, 114 N.C. App. 616, 619, 442 S.E.2d 564, 566 (1994), there is no “forecast [of] evidence of wrongdoing” against either defendant. Id. at 620, 442 S.E.2d at 567. The claim in Minneman was also based on alleged violations of the Whistleblower Act. In that case, plaintiff Sue Minneman complained she was denied a promotion by defendant Barrett, Director of John Umstead Hospital, and defendant Irigaray, Clinical Director, John Umstead Hospital, because of her “whistle-blowing” about the treatment of patients. Plaintiff Minneman also included as parties Governor James G. Martin; David T. Flaherty, as Secretary of the Department of Human Resources; Don Taylor, as Director of the Division of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Substance Abuse Services of the State of North Carolina (Mental Health); and Dr. Walter W. Stelle, as Deputy Director of Mental Health. Minneman conceded Martin, Flaherty, Taylor, and Stelle had committed no violations of the Whistleblower Act, but contended they should remain as parties “in their official capacities solely to ensure the enforcement of any prospective equitable relief granted by the courts.” Id. This Court held, however, that since none of the parties sued in their official capacities “had any part in the alleged Whistleblower violations[,]” the trial court should have granted summary judgment in their favor.

Plaintiff contends, however, that if AOC and Bowman are not continued as parties, her range of remedies will be impermissibly limited, and she may be denied such remedies as reinstatement to her former position, back wages, and medical benefits. We find the reasoning of our Supreme Court in Corum to be instructive:

[T]he common law provides a remedy for the violation of plaintiff’s constitutionally protected right of free speech. What that remedy will require, if plaintiff is successful at trial, will depend upon the facts of the case developed at trial. It will be a matter for the trial judge to craft the necessary relief. . . . When called upon to exercise its inherent constitutional power to fashion a common law remedy for a violation of a particular constitutional right, however, the judiciary must recognize two critical limitations. First, it must bow to established claims and remedies where these provide an alternative to the extraordinary exercise of its inherent constitutional power. Second, in exercising that power, the judiciary must minimize the encroachment upon other branches of government — in appearance and in fact — by seeking the least intrusive remedy available and necessary to right the wrong.

Corum, 330 N.C. at 784, 413 S.E.2d at 290-91 (citation omitted).

In the instant case, Dellinger resigned the office of District Attorney in April 1995 and Bowman became the District Attorney. Plaintiff filed this action on 5 May 1995. If successful in this litigation, plaintiff may collect money damages from Dellinger. Plaintiff cannot be reinstated to her former position, however, since Dellinger had resigned and Bowman is entitled by statute to an administrative assistant to serve “at his pleasure.” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-68. Thus, the continuation of AOC and Bowman as parties to this litigation adds nothing to plaintiffs range of remedies against Dellinger.

There being no evidence of any violations by AOC or Bowman in the case sub judice, the trial court properly granted summary judgment for both defendants on all claims.

In summary, the trial court correctly dismissed all plaintiffs claims against AOC and Bowman, and the trial court correctly denied Dellinger’s motions for summary judgment against plaintiff on her claims for wrongful discharge and her claims under Section 1983. The trial court erroneously granted Dellinger’s motion for summary judgment on the claim under the Whistleblower Act, and further erred in denying Dellinger’s motion for summary judgment on the claims based on violations of the North Carolina Constitution.

Reversed and remanded.

Judge GREENE concurs. Judge LEWIS dissents.