Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr.

[Cite as Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 2014-Ohio-4774.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
Diedree Ames, :
Plaintiff-Appellant, : No. 14AP-119
(Ct. of Cl. No. 2012-04049)
v. :
(REGULAR CALENDAR)
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and
Correction, :
Defendant-Appellee. :
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on October 28, 2014
Daniel H. Klos, for appellant.
Michael DeWine, Attorney General, and Velda K. Hofacker,
for appellee.
APPEAL from the Court of Claims of Ohio
TYACK, J.
{¶ 1} This appeal involves a claim under R.C. 4112.02 and 4112.99 for
employment discrimination on the basis of a perceived disability. Plaintiff-appellant,
Diedree Ames, appeals the January 14, 2014 judgment of the Court of Claims of Ohio
granting summary judgment for defendant-appellee, the Ohio Department of
Rehabilitation and Correction ("ODRC"), and denying summary judgment for plaintiff-
appellant. For the reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
No. 14AP-119 2
Factual Background
{¶ 2} Appellant was a long-term state employee serving as a Senior Parole Officer
with ODRC. Approximately 50 percent of her job duties involved supervising others. In
2006, appellant's partner committed suicide by means of a gun in appellant's presence at
her home. Because of that event, appellant took approved disability mental health leave
due to depression and anxiety. Co-workers were aware of what had happened.
{¶ 3} In 2009, appellant's co-workers and supervisors began noticing what they
characterized as a pattern of interpersonal conflicts, erratic behavior, and emotional
outbursts at work. Documentation included a number of incident reports filed against
appellant for workplace conflict with other employees, including her supervisor.
{¶ 4} In August 2009, appellant was disciplined for violating the standards of
employee conduct related to absenteeism. In the fall of 2009, appellant was investigated
for making an alleged threat on a social network site, Facebook. While engaged in an
extended chat session discussing her work situation appellant stated, "I'll gimp into work
tomorrow. I guess I could just shoot them all…lol!"1 She also stated, "Yo! Thanks
neighbor. I'll gimp into work tomorrow. I guess I could just shoot them all…ARE YOU
KIDDING ME? 'MEANING I CAN'T CHASE THEM!' OH MY GOD! YOU PEOPLE
REALLY DO NEED A LIFE! LIKE NO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER 'EVER' MADE
THAT TYPE OF COMMENT. YOU MAKE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD!"
{¶ 5} In October 2009, ODRC requested an Independent Medical Examination
("IME") to assess the mental health/emotional stability of appellant and to determine if
she was able to perform her job duties. Appellant was placed on administrative leave with
pay at that time, and she was required to surrender her firearm.
{¶ 6} The psychologist who conducted the examination found no evidence of
depression or anxiety. He stated that her cognitive and social capacities were intact. He
stated that some histrionic and obsessive personality tendencies were present. He found
no evidence of depression, anxiety, or a mood disturbance that would preclude
employment. He stated that "[f]rom a psychological standpoint, Ms. Ames is capable of
1 The fact the statement was made is not in dispute. The parties dispute whether the comment was a
threat or a joke and whether the comment referred to appellant's co-workers or parolees.
No. 14AP-119 3
employed [sic] consistent with her skills and capacities." In his opinion, the psychologist
stated that appellant was capable of returning to her former occupation. He suggested
counseling to facilitate vocational adjustment. Appellant returned to work on
November 4, 2009, and was issued a two-day fine for the violation of the employee code
of conduct.
{¶ 7} In January 2010, another investigation of appellant began after an
anonymous complaint was made that appellant was using her state-issued computer for
non-work purposes. The anonymous complaint was later discovered to be from a co-
worker, Parole Officer Jill Brady ("Brady"), who was having a relationship with an ex-
domestic partner of appellant. As a result of the investigation, appellant was given a
written reprimand.
{¶ 8} As a member of a union, appellant grieved both instances of discipline. Her
two-day fine was reduced to a one-day fine. Upon completion of 24 hours of training
within 60 days, her authorization to carry her state-issued firearm would be reinstated.
Appellant did not complete the training.
{¶ 9} In April 2010, Brady, the same co-worker who had anonymously reported
appellant, completed an incident report alleging that appellant had sent a text message to
Rosemary Llewellyn, appellant's former partner and Brady's current partner. The
message stated: "U and ur new gf r in a shit heap of trouble . . . u should know u will be
tracked."
{¶ 10} Appellant filed an incident report against Brady on April 19, 2010, alleging
that Brady had used a state computer to access the internet for non-work related
purposes. An investigation was begun. Both employees were told to have no contact with
each other.
{¶ 11} A few days later, Brady notified ODRC that Llewellyn had filed for an order
of protection against Ms. Ames. Apparently, as part of the information provided to get the
protective order, Ms. Llewellyn stated that two years previously, in 2008, appellant had
held a gun to her head. Appellant denied such an incident ever took place.
{¶ 12} ODRC scheduled a second IME, this time to discover if appellant had a
propensity for violence. Appellant underwent psychological testing from which the
No. 14AP-119 4
examiner diagnosed her with generalized anxiety disorder and paranoid personality
disorder. The examiner was asked if appellant could provide direction and training to
parole officers as well as other duties contained in her job description. The examiner
opined that "[t]he personality disorder indicated in the psychological testing and in Ms.
Ames' history of on the job conflicts would suggest she would have significant difficulty in
supervising others." The IME examiner concluded however, that "there is no
psychological reason why Ms. Ames cannot return to her present occupation," but that "if
the 'gun-to-the-head' incident of September 2008 is found to be true, I would not
recommend that she be returned to her present position." The examiner also stated that
"[n]othing in the interview or psychological testing would indicate that Ms. Ames poses a
threat to herself or others (again with the exception of the alleged September 2008
incident)."
{¶ 13} ODRC believed the second IME to be incomplete and that it did not address
the potential for violence in the workplace. Unsatisfied with the somewhat inconclusive
nature of the second IME, a third IME was ordered to "address whether Ms. Ames can
return to her current occupation, if doing so would pose a threat to the health or safety of
herself or others, her fitness for carrying a weapon, and her ability to supervise offenders."
The request stated in pertinent part:
The initial request was made due to several events causing
concern, but the most recent issue was her involvement in a
dispute with a co-worker. Due to the dispute, regional
administrator issued no contact orders for both parties and
referred both employees to The Office of Victim Services
(OVS). In evaluating the current situation including past
events, OVS determined that the potential for lethality exists.
Due to those issues, Ms. Ames was placed on Administrative
Leave.
{¶ 14} In a report dated July 13, 2010, the third interviewer, a forensic
psychologist, stated: "[A]pparent is this officer's bitterness, none of this though speaking
directly to a propensity toward violence." He also found through psychological testing "a
profile suggesting a pattern of relational problems in an adult for whom characterologic
issues dominate, particularly those suggesting a paranoid personality structure." He
further stated that, "[d]iagnostically, there appears an underlying anxiety, possibly some
No. 14AP-119 5
unresolved depression, but the primary diagnosis necessarily stems from deeply ingrained
characterologic features, most noteworthy being the paranoid concerns."
The third interviewer concluded by stating as follows:
This third assessment appears sought as previous evaluators
have not quantified risk level, specifically for violence in the
workplace. Strictly from a psychological perspective, no data
appear available to suggest that Ms. Ames is not capable of
being returned to her current occupation, and no data exist to
suggest that she poses a threat to the health or safety of
herself or others, or for that matter, that she is at this point
incapable of carrying a weapon, and interacting with co-
workers and offenders.
Misunderstood is the concept of violence risk appraisal. A
review of the literature assures that -- the availability of often
unhelpful checklists and 'danger assessments'
notwithstanding – there is, strictly speaking, no baseline data
here to suggest violence risk propensity. Specifically, in
discussing a risk toward workplace violence, or the ongoing
risk potential of an individual who has acted-out criminally, or
who evidences severe psychopathology, necessary are actual
events, documented offenses. Here there are no undisputed
examples of actual violence. Observational or clinical issues
notwithstanding, always preferable are actuarial data in
predicting future 'dangerousness.'
When the literature is reviewed regarding statistical versus
clinical risk assessment, it is this absence of known violence
that, in my opinion, brings forth the inappropriateness of
addressing this concern in any other than an academic
format. There can be no 'predictors' if there are no known
baseline events.
Simply because this officer evidences a likely combination of
personality disorders, this does not bring forth
'dangerousness.' Realistically, there is no violence risk
assessment that allows for more than an overview, no
actuarial based assessment that can pinpoint with reasonable
certainty future acting-out. In this case, I cannot demonstrate
a previous history of violence, and therefore cannot suggest
that there exists an actuarially defensible risk level currently.
No. 14AP-119 6
{¶ 15} In October 2010, while on medical leave, appellant posted an apparent
threat against Brady on Yahoo! Messenger stating, "So nice to know I never HAVE to
work again. But I will, just to hold YOU Brady and stank pussy accountable! Feelin the
heat yet? It's coming. I promise. You fucked with the wrong person Brady, your ass is
mine!"
{¶ 16} After an investigation in which appellant denied sending the message, but
resisted ODRC's efforts to determine if her account had been hacked, Deputy Director of
the Division of Parole and Community Service, Sara Andrews, terminated appellant
effective January 18, 2011. The stated reason for termination was violation of ODRC
Employee Conduct Rule 18: "[T]hreatening, intimidating, or coercing another employee
or a member of the general public," and Rule 24: "[I]nterfering with, failing to cooperate
in, or lying in an official investigation or inquiry."
Procedural Background
{¶ 17} Appellant filed suit in the Court of Claims of Ohio alleging unlawful
employment discrimination on the basis of a perceived disability. The parties agreed the
essential facts were not in dispute, and they filed competing motions for summary
judgment. The trial court awarded summary judgment to ODRC finding that the referrals
for IMEs did not constitute evidence that appellant was perceived to have a psychological
disability. The trial court found that reasonable minds could only conclude that the IME
referrals represented reasonable attempts to determine whether appellant was a danger in
the workplace due to legitimate concerns about her emotional health. The trial court also
found that appellant failed to present evidence that the proffered reason given for
termination was a pretext.
Assignments of Error
{¶ 18} Appellant assigns the following eight errors for our review:
1. The Trial Court failed to construe material facts in a light
most favorable to the Appellant by not finding that when the
Appellee was provided actual notice that Appellant had
significant difficulty to perform 50% of her job duties that this
was sufficient to create a perception of disability of the
Appellant to perform her job and thus a prima facie case.
No. 14AP-119 7
2. The Trial Court failed to construe material facts in a light
most favorable to the Appellant by finding that when the
Appellee was provided actual notice in the second IME that
Appellant could safely return to the workplace and posed no
threat to herself or others that scheduling her for a third IME
was sufficient to create a perception of disability of the
Appellant to perform her job.
3. The Trial Court erred and failed to construe material facts
in a light most favorable to the Appellant by opining the
reason given for scheduling of the third IME, "to follow up
and conclusively answer these questions" about "holding a
gun to Llewellyn's head" was a legitimate reason and not
pretext for perceived disability discrimination.
4. The Trial Court erred and failed to construe material facts
in a light most favorable to the Appellant by opining "Plaintiff
has not presented probative evidence tending to controvert
the proffered reason for the termination of her employment,
much less to demonstrate that the true reason was
discrimination based upon any real or perceived disability."
5. The Trial Court erred in applying Mitchell v. Toledo Hosp.,
964 F.2d 577, 583 (6th Cir.1992) as the deciding law and
standard for comparables in a discrimination case, failing to
apply Ercegovich v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 154 F.3d
344, (6th Cir. 1998) and its progeny, Bobo v. United Parcel
Service, Inc., 665 F.3d 741 (6th Cir. 2012) to determine
comparably serious conduct.
6. The Trial Court erred and failed to construe material facts
in a light most favorable to the Appellant by not finding that
the explanations for terminating the Appellant by Sara
Andrews in her affidavit compared to her deposition
testimony recited in Appellant's Motion for Summary
Judgment were contradictory, thus dissembling and creating
an inference of guilt and pretext.
7. The Trial Court erred and failed to construe material facts
in a light most favorable to the Appellant by not finding that
the explanations for the third IME request by Sara Andrews as
recited in Appellant's Motion for Summary Judgment were
considered far beyond the concerns of the ODRC employer by
Dr. Tennenbaum thus and [sic] creating a material issue of
No. 14AP-119 8
fact as to pretext of the legitimacy of the request and inference
of guilt.
8. The Court erred when it failed to construe material facts in
a light most favorable to the Appellant and concluded "Upon
review, reasonable minds can only conclude that Andrews'
affidavit testimony demonstrates that the IME referrals
represented reasonable attempts to determine whether
plaintiff was a danger in the workplace due to legitimate
concerns about her emotional health.
{¶ 19} Assignments of error one through four and six through eight all allege the
trial court impermissibly construed the evidence and the inferences to be made from the
evidence. Assignment of error five concerns a legal standard to apply. We shall address
them as follows: Assignments of error one and two concern the evidence of a perceived
disability, and we will address them collectively. Assignments of error three through eight
concern the issue of pretext, and we will address them as a group as well.
Summary Judgment Standard
{¶ 20} An appellate court reviews summary judgment under a de novo standard.
Reed v. Davis, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-15, 2013-Ohio-3742, ¶ 9. Summary judgment is proper
only when the parties moving for summary judgment demonstrate: (1) no genuine issue of
material fact exists; (2) the moving parties are entitled to judgment as a matter of law;
and (3) reasonable minds viewing the evidence most strongly in favor of the nonmoving
party could reach but one conclusion, and that conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving
party. Civ.R. 56; Todd Dev. Co., Inc. v. Morgan, 116 Ohio St. 3d 461, 2008-Ohio-87, ¶ 11.
{¶ 21} The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of
informing the trial court of the basis for the motion and identifying those portions of the
record demonstrating the absence of a genuine issue of material fact by pointing to
specific evidence of the type listed in Civ.R. 56(C). Id. at ¶ 12, citing Dresher v. Burt, 75
Ohio St. 3d 280, 293 (1996). If the moving party fails to satisfy its initial burden, the court
must deny the motion for summary judgment; however, if the moving party satisfies its
initial burden, summary judgment is appropriate unless the nonmoving party responds
by affidavit or as otherwise provided under Civ.R. 56, with specific facts demonstrating a
genuine issue exists for trial. Id.; Hall v. Ohio State Univ. College of Humanities, 10th
No. 14AP-119 9
Dist. No. 11AP-1068, 2012-Ohio-5036, ¶ 12, citing Henkle v. Henkle, 75 Ohio App. 3d 732,
735 (12th Dist.1991).
{¶ 22} " 'Trial courts should award summary judgment with caution, being careful
to resolve doubts and construe evidence in favor of the nonmoving party.' " Vossman v.
AirNet Sys., 10th Dist. No. 12AP-971, 2013-Ohio-4675, ¶ 13, quoting Welco Industries,
Inc. v. Applied Cos., 67 Ohio St. 3d 344, 346 (1993), citing Murphy v. Reynoldsburg, 65
Ohio St. 3d 356 (1992). " 'Even the inferences to be drawn from the underlying facts
contained in the evidentiary materials, such as affidavits and depositions, must be
construed in a light most favorable to the party opposing the motion.' " Vossman at ¶ 13,
quoting Hannah v. Dayton Power & Light Co., 82 Ohio St. 3d 482, 485 (1998), citing
Turner v. Turner, 67 Ohio St. 3d 337, 341 (1993).
Ohio Disability Discrimination Law
{¶ 23} Under R.C. 4112.02(A), it is unlawful for an employer to refuse to hire or
discriminate against a person because of his or her disability. " 'Disability' means a
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities,
including the functions of caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing,
hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working; a record of a physical or mental
impairment; or being regarded as having a physical or mental impairment." R.C.
4112.01(A)(13).
{¶ 24} "[U]nder the plain language of R.C. 4112.01(A)(13), a plaintiff may be
disabled if their employer regarded them as having a mental or physical impairment,
without regard to whether the employer regarded them as substantially limited in their
daily life activities as a result." Dalton v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., 10th Dist. No.
13AP-827, 2014-Ohio-2658, ¶ 24, citing Scalia v. Aldi, Inc., 9th Dist. No. 25436, 2011-
Ohio-6596, ¶ 24.
{¶ 25} To prevail on an employment-discrimination claim, a plaintiff must prove
discriminatory intent. Mauzy v. Kelly Services, Inc., 75 Ohio St. 3d 578, 583 (1996). A
plaintiff may prove discriminatory intent through either direct or indirect evidence.
Turner v. Shahed Ents., 10th Dist. No. 10AP-892, 2011-Ohio-4654, ¶ 11. A plaintiff may
establish a prima facie case of disability discrimination directly by presenting evidence of
No. 14AP-119 10
any nature to show that the employer more likely than not was motivated by
discriminatory intent. Id. In the absence of direct evidence, a plaintiff may establish a
prima facie case indirectly by means of the burden shifting analysis articulated by the
United States Supreme Court in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802
(1973).
{¶ 26} Here, in order for appellant to establish a prima facie case of perceived
disability discrimination, she must demonstrate that: (1) ODRC perceived her as disabled,
(2) ODRC took an adverse employment action because of her perceived disability, and (3)
appellant can safely and substantially perform the essential functions of the position in
question. Peters v. Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, 10th Dist. No. 03AP-350, 2003-
Ohio-5895, ¶ 22-23; see also Hood v. Diamond Products, Inc., 74 Ohio St. 3d 298 (1996),
syllabus; Columbus Civ. Serv. Comm. v. McGlone, 82 Ohio St. 3d 569, 571 (1998). Even if
appellant is not disabled, she is still protected by the disability discrimination laws if
appellee perceived her as disabled. Peters at ¶ 23; McGlone at 572. Ohio disability
discrimination law is similar to the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA"), and
therefore Ohio courts may seek guidance in the interpretation of the Ohio disability
discrimination law from regulations and cases that interpret the ADA. Id. at 573; Dalton
at ¶ 28.
{¶ 27} If the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, the burden of production shifts
to the employer to articulate some legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse
employment action. Turner at ¶ 14. If an employer meets its burden of production, a
plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the employer's reason was
merely a pretext for unlawful discrimination. Texas Dept. of Community Affairs v.
Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 253 (1981). The ultimate burden of persuasion always remains
with the plaintiff. Id. at 256. In order to show pretext, a plaintiff must show both that the
reason was false, and that discrimination was the real reason. Williams v. Akron, 107
Ohio St. 3d 203, 2005-Ohio-6268, ¶ 14; St. Mary's Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U.S. 502, 515
(1993).
No. 14AP-119 11
Perceived Disability
{¶ 28} Here, appellant is unable to demonstrate a prima facie case of
discrimination because she cannot establish the first prong of the prima facie case.
{¶ 29} Appellant argues that the decision to send appellant to three IMEs is
evidence that they perceived her as disabled. However, "[b]oth Ohio and federal courts
have concluded that merely sending an employee to an IME, or other type of fitness for
duty examination, does not amount to evidence that the employer perceived the employee
as disabled." Dalton at ¶ 31, citing Peters at ¶ 24; Sullivan v. River Valley School Dist.,
197 F.3d 804, 808 (6th Cir.1999); James v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 354 Fed.Appx.
246, 249 (6th Cir.2009); Mickens v. Polk Cty. School Bd., 430 F. Supp. 2d 1265, 1274
(M.D. Fla.2006); Kocsis v. Multi-Care Mgmt., Inc., 97 F.3d 876, 885 (6th Cir.1996).
{¶ 30} Appellant is asking us to infer that because ODRC scheduled appellant for
not one, but three IMEs, this must be evidence they regarded her as disabled. We do not
find that to be a reasonable inference from the evidence before us.
{¶ 31} The three IMEs were sought because ODRC believed that appellant had
exhibited behavior that made her potentially dangerous or lethal in the workplace. The
first IME was ordered as a result of a threat (whether joking or not) to "shoot them all."
The second IME was a result of an escalating situation involving charges and counter
charges between appellant and Brady who was involved with an ex-domestic partner of
appellant. Once Brady informed ODRC that appellant's ex-partner had applied for an
order of protection, ODRC believed a potential for violence existed, not an unreasonable
assumption. The third IME was ordered because ODRC did not feel the second evaluator
supplied any useful information about the potential for violence. Even though the third
evaluator indicated that, without more data, such a projection was not possible, it was
reasonable for ODRC to try to assess the situation given appellant's history with Brady
and a pattern of getting into interpersonal conflicts with other ODRC employees.
Moreover, appellant herself stated in her brief that "[t]he three IME assessments were all
sought because the Defendant believed that the Plaintiff presented behavior that made
her potentially dangerous and lethal in the workplace." (Appellant's brief, at 52.)
No. 14AP-119 12
Therefore, appellant cannot establish that ODRC perceived her to be disabled because it
ordered multiple IMEs.
{¶ 32} Nor do the IMEs themselves provide evidence that appellant was disabled
or perceived to be disabled. All three examiners found that, from a psychological
standpoint, appellant was capable of resuming her duties. The second and third
examiners found appellant had certain paranoid personality features, but neither of them
stated that appellant could not resume her regular employment. The undisputed facts
are that every time ODRC received a report, she was cleared for duty by the examiners
and permitted to return to work. ODRC never received information that appellant
suffered from a mental impairment that prevented her from performing her job duties.
{¶ 33} The IMEs were ordered in response to appellant's behavior, not a perceived
disability. Appellant cannot establish that she was regarded as disabled under R.C.
4112.01(13), and therefore cannot meet the first prong of a prima facie case alleging
indirect evidence of discrimination. The first three assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 34} Assuming for purposes of argument that appellant has established the first
prong of the prima facie case, ODRC set forth a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason for
termination, namely violation of ODRC Employee Conduct Rules 18, "[t]hreatening,
intimidating, or coercing another employee or member of the general public," and Rule 24
"[i]nterfering with, failing to cooperate in, or lying in an official investigation or inquiry."
{¶ 35} In this case, appellant is attempting to show that the reason offered by
ODRC for terminating her was a pretext. Evidence is relevant to establishing pretext if it
tends to show that the defendant's reason for the adverse employment decision was less
probable because the reason (1) had no basis in fact; (2) did not actually motivate the
adverse employment action; or (3) was an insufficient basis for the adverse employment
action. Manzer v. Diamond Shamrock Chems. Co., 29 F.3d 1078, 1084 (6th Cir.1994),
abrogated on other grounds by Gross v. FBL Fin. Servs., Inc., 557 U.S. 167, 180 (2009),
as recognized in Geiger v. Tower Automotive, 579 F.3d 614, 621 (6th Cir.2009).
{¶ 36} Here, appellant contends that Sara Andrews, the person who ultimately
terminated appellant, was forgetful and dissembling in her deposition testimony as
contrasted with her affidavit testimony. Based upon our review of the deposition, we
No. 14AP-119 13
agree that Andrews at times could not recall specific details such as whether or not
appellant was on administrative leave, what specific emotional outbursts took place, or
what, if anything, led Andrews to believe appellant had the potential to be lethal.
{¶ 37} The difficulty with this argument is that the reason given for appellant's
termination was not the IMEs or even because she had the potential to be lethal.
Appellant was terminated for specific conduct that took place after the third IME and can
only be reasonably construed as a threat against Brady when she stated, "…So nice to
know I never HAVE to work again. But I will, just to hold YOU Brady and stank pussy
accountable! Feelin the heat yet? It's coming. I promise. You fucked with the wrong
person Brady, your ass is mine!" There is no other reasonable inference that can be made
from that statement other than appellant threatened Brady.
{¶ 38} Appellant argues the statement can be interpreted as a threat to pursue legal
action against Brady. Even if true, the employee conduct rule at issue states that an
employee can be immediately terminated for "[t]hreatening, intimidating or coercing
another employee or a member of the general public." It does not specify that the threat
must be to kill someone. Again, appellant did not have to threaten to kill Brady in order
to threaten Brady.
{¶ 39} While Andrews herself did not have complete recall of the details of the
various investigations and IMEs, the record itself contains a great deal of documentation
as to the incidents that led to ODRC requesting IMEs as well as the final culminating
incident that led to termination.
{¶ 40} Appellant next argues that ODRC's reason for termination must be
pretextual because a comparably situated employee was not disciplined for engaging in
similar conduct. Appellant contends that another employee, Parole Officer Sheri
Blackburn, made similar statements on her self-evaluation for a performance review.
Sheri Blackburn's supervisor, Angelika Manz sent Blackburn an email advising her that
her performance evaluation was due and asking her to provide three goals for the next
reporting period. Blackburn responded with the following email:
Ok here are my 3 goals:
1) Try to maintain my stress level and keep my anger in
check against these low lifes we half (sic) to deal with.
No. 14AP-119 14
Especially when they have more toys than me and eat better
than me.
2) Try not to shoot anyone unless absolutely necessary.
Especially when I hear them brag about the above.
3) And above all, go home alive everyday to watch my
crappy TV, eat ramen noodles and pot pies, and check my
email on my crappy computer.
3 more are forthcoming. "
(Emphasis sic.)
{¶ 41} Appellant argues that Blackburn's situation evinces comparable conduct for
which appellant was terminated, but Blackburn was not disciplined. Appellant has also
filed a motion to strike a portion of ODRC's brief that indicates Blackburn was in fact
disciplined for her conduct.
{¶ 42} The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has stated:
"Discrimination cases frequently turn on whether the plaintiff can identify one or more
comparators who are similarly situated in all relevant respects." Bobo v. United Parcel
Svc. Inc., 665 F.3d 741, 753 (6th Cir.2012). Appellant did not have to show an exact
correlation between herself and another similarly situated employee; rather, she had to
show only that she and her proposed comparator were similar in all relevant respects,
and that she and her proposed comparator engaged in acts of comparable seriousness.
Id. at 751.
{¶ 43} Appellant cannot show that she and Blackburn engaged in acts of
comparable seriousness. Appellant was not terminated for the "I guess I could just shoot
them all…lol!" comment which is most similar to Blackburn's "try not to shoot anyone"
comment. Appellant's termination was a second offense for similar conduct. Thus, her
termination came with a backdrop of a prior incident of posting an inappropriate message
on social media, a history of ill will, charges and counter charges against Brady, and
finally posting a vulgar, threatening statement toward a co-worker under her supervision.
Blackburn had no history of making similar statements and no pattern of conflict with co-
workers.
No. 14AP-119 15
{¶ 44} Blackburn's conduct was not of comparable seriousness to appellant's
conduct. Therefore, the issue of what, if any, discipline Blackburn received is moot and
the motion to strike is denied.
{¶ 45} Because appellant failed to demonstrate a genuine issue of material fact
remains as to whether ODRC's proffered legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for
appellant's termination was merely a pretext for impermissible discrimination, the Court
of Claims properly granted summary judgment to ODRC. Appellant's fourth through
eighth assignments of error are overruled.
{¶ 46} In sum, appellant failed to establish that she was perceived as disabled, and
failed to establish that the reason for her termination was a pretext for discrimination.
Accordingly, the motion to strike is denied and we overrule appellant's eight assignments
of error and affirm the judgment of the Court of Claims of Ohio.
Motion to strike denied; Judgment affirmed.
SADLER, P.J., and CONNOR, J., concur.
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