Thomas v. Delaware State University et al

Filing 69

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Judge Gregory M. Sleet on 10/6/2014. (mdb)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
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MICHELLE THOMAS

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Plaintiff,

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V.

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DELAWARE STATE UNIVERISTY,
LANCET. HOUSTON,
individually and in his official capacity,
AMIR MOHAMMAD!,
individually and in his official capacity, and
OFFICER HEATHER COOKE,
individually and in her official capacity,
Defendants.

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C. A. No. 10-522-GMS

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MEMORANDUM
I.

INTRODUCTION

On June 14, 201 0, the plaintiff, Michelle Thomas ("Thomas"), filed this lawsuit against
Delaware State University ("DSU"); the Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs at DSU,
LanceT. Houston ("Houston"); the Vice President for Finance and Administration at DSU, Amir
Mohammadi ("Mohammadi"); and a police officer employed by DSU, Heather Cooke ("Cooke")
(collectively, "the Defendants"). (D.I. 1.) Since filing her Complaint, Thomas has stipulated to
the dismissal of several of her original claims. (D.I. 61.) As such, the only remaining claims
are: (1) unlawful First Amendment retaliation against DSU, Houston, and Mohammadi, pursuant
to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, (2) violations of Thomas' Fourteenth Amendment procedural due process

rights against DSU, Houston, and Mohammadi, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and (3) violation
of the Delaware Whistleblowers' Protection Act ("WPA") against DSU, Houston, and
Mohammadi, pursuant to 19 Del. C.§ 1701 et seq. 1 Presently before the court is the Defendants'
motion for summary judgment. 2 (D.I. 57.) For the reasons stated below, the court will grant the
Defendants' motion for summary judgment.

II.

BACKGROUND
Thomas was hired by DSU in December 2001 as a Senior Secretary. (D.I. 65, Ex. B at

11.) In addition to her employment, Thomas was involved with the union representing DSU's
administrative and clerical employees-AFSCME Local 1007. (Id. at 15.) Thomas became
Union President in 2006 or 2007. As Union President, Thomas brought grievances against DSU
on behalf of union members and represented employees in disputes with the school. (!d. at 2223.) The majority of grievances concerned violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement
("CBA"), such as assigning work outside prescribe.d job descriptions, failing to pay at proper pay
grade, etc. (Id. at 23-23; Ex. M.) Thomas also made complaints of unsafe working conditions,
claiming there was mold and asbestos in some ofthe older buildings. (D.I. 65, Ex. Bat 122-23.)
On October 8, 2008, Officer Cooke arranged to have Thomas' car towed from a DSU
parking lot for having several unpaid parking tickets. (D.I. 59, Exs. E-G.) Thomas, who was
working nearby, came outside to confront Cooke and stop the towing. (Jd. Ex. G.) The parties
dispute the events that followed, but some sort of altercation ensued in which Thomas unlawfully
touched Cooke. (Jd. Ex. Hat 3--4.) Cooke ultimately did not tow the car, and Thomas reported
1

The stipulation eliminated all claims against Cooke, and she was dismissed from the lawsuit.
Thomas filed her brief opposing the motion for summary judgment on November 15, 2013. (D.I. 65.) The
format of Thomas' brief was not in compliance with the District ofDelaware Local Rule 7.1.3. Given its regrettable
delay in addressing the instant motion, the court elects not strike the non-conforming brief, but the court takes this
opportunity to remind parties that the Local Rules are to be followed strictly in the future.
2

2

to the Public Safety Department to pay the outstanding parking fines. (Id. Ex. Cat 34.) Thomas
also was not arrested at the time. (Id. at 52.) Cooke subsequently pressed charges, however, and
a warrant issued for Thomas' arrest on October 23, 2008, listing two charges: offensive touching
of a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct. (Id. Ex. J.) Thomas was formally arrested
on November 6, 2008. (Id. Ex. K.)
Following the arrest, DSU conducted its own investigation. On November 19, 2008,
Thomas met with Moharnmadi and Karen Valentine, a staff representative for the union, to
discuss the incident with Cooke and the arrest. (Id. Ex. Cat 73-74; Ex. L.) Thomas denied any
wrongdoing. (Id. Ex. Cat 74.) DSU and Mohammadi elected not to take any action at that time;
Moharnmadi testified that he was reluctant to discipline Thomas because of the ongoing
collective bargaining negotiations between DSU and the union. (Id. Ex. A at 82.) Thomas'
criminal prosecution continued into 2009.
In June 2009, Thomas filed a grievance on behalf ofthe union against Mohammadi's son.
(D.I. 65, Ex. N.) The grievance concerned work being performed by a non-union member, in
violation of the CBA. (Id. Ex. C at 8.) In a conversation with Valentine, Moharnmadi was
reportedly very upset that Thomas was "going after" his son. (Id. C at 9, 11; D.I. 66, Ex. 2 at
142-43.) Thomas testified that Moharnmadi had told Valentine: "How dare she file a grievance
against my son? I will not stand for it and I will get her for this." (D.I 65, Ex. B at 109.)
Thomas was not present during the conversation.
On December 1, 2009, Thomas entered a guilty plea to the charge of offensive touching,
in exchange for a sentence of unsupervised probation. (D.I. 59, Ex. H.) Upon learning of the
guilty plea, Moharnmadi instructed Houston to prepare a notice informing Thomas of her
3

termination. (D.I. 65, Ex. Hat 48-49.) On December 3, 2009, Houston issued Thomas a Notice
of Paid Administrative Leave and Intent to Terminate ("Notice"). (D.I. 59, Ex. L.) The Notice
stated that Thomas was to be terminated for giving false statements during DSU's investigation
into her incident with Cooke.

(Id.)

The Notice gave Thomas the option of having a pre-

termination hearing, which Thomas exercised. (Id.; Ex. N.)
On January 21, 2010, DSU held a pre-termination hearing for Thomas, with Houston
conducting the hearing. (Id. Ex. C at 99.) Valentine was also present; she represented Thomas
and responded to the charges against her. (Id. at 99, 102.) Valentine argued that Thomas had not
lied about her conduct, that the termination was retaliation and in violation of the CBA, and other
reasons why Thomas should not be terminated. (Id. at 100-02.)
On February 9, 2010, Houston issued a Notice of Termination to Thomas based on the
charges outlined in the original Notice. (Id. Ex. D.) The decision to terminate had come from
Mohammadi. (ld. Ex. A at 113.) Thomas subsequently filed a grievance claiming that her
termination violated provisions of the CBA. (Id. Ex. C at 71.) On November 17, 2010, an
arbitrator ruled that Thomas' termination had indeed violated the CBA and that Thomas was to
be reinstated to her position at DSU, without backpay. (Id. Ex. Q.) Thomas returned to work at
DSU on December 1, 2010. (Id. Ex. Cat 12-13.)

III.

STANDARD OF REVIEW
Summary judgment is appropriate "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to

interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a
matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322
4

(1986). The moving party bears the burden of proving that no genuine issue of material fact
exists. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 585 n.10 (1986).
A fact is material if it "could affect the outcome" of the proceeding. Lamont v. New Jersey, 637
F .3d 177, 181 (3d Cir. 2011 ). There is a genuine issue "if the evidence is sufficient to permit a
reasonable jury to return a verdict for the non-moving party." !d. When determining whether a
genuine issue of material facts exists, the district court must view the evidence in the light most
favorable to the nonmoving party and draw inferences in that party's favor. Wishkin v. Potter,
476 F.3d 180, 184 (3d Cir. 2007). If the moving party is able to demonstrate an absence of
disputed material facts, the nonmoving party must then "come forward with 'specific facts
showing that there is a genuine issue for trial."' Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587 (citing Fed. R.

Ci~.

P. 56(e)).
The mere existence of some evidence in support of the nonmoving party will not be
sufficient for denial of a summary judgment motion. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S,
242,249 (1986). Rather, the nonmoving party must present enough evidence to enable a jury to
reasonably find for it on that issue. !d. The party opposing summary judgment must present
more than just "mere allegations, general denials, or ... vague statements" to show the existence
of a genuine issue. Quiroga v. Hasbro, Inc., 934 F.2d 497, 500 (3d Cir. 1991). As such, a
nonmoving party must support their assertion that a material fact is in dispute by: "(A) citing to
particular parts of materials in the record, including depositions, documents, electronically stored
information, affidavits or declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the
motion only), admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials"; or "(B) showing that the
materials cited do not establish the absence or presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse
5

party cannot produce admissible evidence to support the fact." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(l). The
moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law if the nonmoving party fails to make a
sufficient showing on an essential element of its case for which it has the burden of proof.
Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322.

IV.

DISCUSSION

The court notes at the outset that Thomas conceded in her present briefing that DSU is
not amenable to suit under§ 1983, and that the individual defendants, Houston and Mohammadi,
are not amenable to suit under Delaware's WPA. (D.I. 65 at 19, 21 n.11.) Thus, the remaining
claims at issue are the § 1983 claims against Houston and Mohammadi and the WP A claim
against DSU. 3 The court will address each of these in tum.
A. Section 1983 Claims

Section 1983 provides: "Every person who under color of [law] ... subjects, or causes to
be subjected, any citizen of the United States ... to the deprivation of any rigl)ts, 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 ...." 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Section
1983 does not create substantive rights, but instead "merely provides a remedy for deprivations
of rights established elsewhere in the Constitution or federal laws." Estate of Smith v.
Marasco, 318 F.3d 497, 505 (3d Cir. 2003). "To state a claim under § 1983, a plaintiff must

allege the violation of a right secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States, and must
show that the alleged deprivation was committed by a person acting under color of state
3

Although never stated by Thomas, the§ 1983 claims may only proceed against Houston and Mohammadi
in their individual capacities. Section 1983 actions against state actors in the official capacity are barred by Eleventh
Amendment immunity. See Hafer v. Melo, 502 U.S. 21, 25 (1991) ("Suits against state officials in their official
capacity ... should be treated as suits against the State.").

6

law." West v. Atkins, 487 U.S. 42, 48 (1988).
Thomas seeks relief pursuant to § 1983 for two alleged violations: (1) First Amendment
retaliation and (2) employment termination without being afforded adequate procedural due
process as required by the Fourteenth Amendment.
1. First Amendment Retaliation
"Retaliation for the exercise of constitutionally protected rights is itself a violation of
rights secured by the Constitution actionable under § 1983." White v. Napoleon, 897 F .2d 103,
111-12 (3d Cir. 1990). Proof of a retaliation claim requires that the plaintiff demonstrate ( 1) she
engaged in protected activity; (2) she was subjected to adverse actions by a state actor; and (3)
the protected activity was a substantial motivating factor in the state actor's decision to take
adverse action. Rauser v. Horn, 241 F.3d 330, 333 (3d Cir. 2001). Claims of unconstitutional
retaliation must be evaluated critically, as they are "fraught with the potential for abuse." See

Blizzard v. Hastings, 886 F. Supp. 405, 409 (D. Del. 1995).
In her Complaint, Thomas argues that the Defendants retaliated against her for exercising
4

her First Amendment right to freedom of speech in connection with her union activities. (D.I. 1,
~~

48-50.) Specifically, she argues that the grievances she filed on behalf of AFSCME union

members constituted protected speech and that these grievances were a substantial motivating
factor in the Mohammadi and Houston's decision to terminate Thomas' employment. (D.I. 65 at
16-19.) In response, Mohammadi and Houston argue that Thomas was not engaged in protected
4

In her brief in opposition to summary judgment, Thomas for the flrst time mentions her First Amendment
rights to free association and petition as a basis for her retaliation claim. (D.I. 65 at 17.) "A plaintiff 'may
not amend his complaint through arguments in his brief in opposition to a motion for summary judgment."' Bell v.
City of Phi/a., 275 F. App'x 157, 160 (3d Cir. 2008) (quoting Shanahan v. City of Chi., 82 F.3d 776, 781 (7th
Cir.l996)). These amendments to her original claim are not properly before the court and are therefore disregarded.
Nonetheless, the court notes that its ultimate judgment would not have been influenced by these new theories, had
they been properly asserted.

7

activity because she was not speaking as a private citizen on matters of public concern. (D.I. 58
at 12-15.) They also argue that Thomas has failed to point to any evidence demonstrating that
her termination was causally related to her speech. (!d. at 9-12.)
The court looks first at whether Thomas' speech (i.e., the grievances she filed on behalf
of the union) constituted protected activity. This question is a matter of law. Balas v. Taylor,
567 F. Supp. 2d 654, 663 (D. Del. 2008) (citing Hill v. City of Scranton, 411 F.3d 118, 127 (3d
Cir. 2005)).

For a public employee's speech to be protected, (1) she must have made the

statements as a citizen, (2) the statement must involve a matter of public concern, and (3) the
government employer must not have an adequate justification for treating the employee
differently from a member of the public. Hill.v. Borough ofKutztown, 455 F .3d 225, 241-42 (3d
Cir. 2006) (citing Garcetti v. Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410,418 (2006)).
The court initially agrees with Thomas that her actions as Union President were distinct
from her DSU job obligations, and therefore

~he

spoke as a private citizen rather than a public

employee. The holding in Garcetti v. Ceballas focuses on whether the speech or activity at issue
was inherent in the plaintiffs "official duties" of public employment. 547 U.S. 410, 421 (2006).
Thomas was not required to serve as AFSCME Union President as part of her DSU employment,
making her activity on behalf of the union that of a private citizen. See Justice v. Danberg, 571
F. Supp. 2d 602, 609 (D. Del. 2008). A contrary holding would severely undermine employees'
ability to participate in unions without fear of retaliation, and ''union activity would cease to be a
fundamental right protected under the Constitution, ... contradict[ing] decades of Supreme
Court precedent." See id. at 609-10.
Mohammadi and Houston's reliance on Hill v. City of Philadelphia, where the Third
8

Circuit apparently reached the opposite conclusion, is slightly off base. 331 F. App'x 138, 142
(3d Cir. 2009). The court-acknowledging that it draws a fine distinction-finds that Hill did
not squarely address the issue of whether one participating in union activity acts as an employee
or as a citizen. See id. Rather, the Third Circuit focused on the plaintiff's burden of proof:
[A}ppellantfails to demonstrate that his representation of Osborne
is the type of speech which entitles him to First Amendment
protection. Specifically, appellant did not show that he was acting
as a citizen in his union representation of Osborne or that the
speech he engaged in during that representation was a matter of
public concern.
!d. (emphasis added). Although the law is not well defined, the court finds Thomas was acting
as a private citizen when filing grievances on behalf of union members.
The court, however, must turn to whether Thomas' speech touched on matters of public
concern. After reviewing the facts on the record, the court finds that Thomas has failed to
demonstrate that the grievances she filed satisfy this requirement. "A public employee's speech
involves a matter of public concern if it can 'be fairly considered as relating to any matter of
political, social, or other concern to the community."' Green v. Phi/a. Hous. Auth., 104 F.3d 882,
885-86 (3d Cir. 1997) (quoting Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138, 146 (1983)). Here, the record
reveals that all of the Thomas' grievances dealt with specific and individualized employment
issues, not of concern to the community. Where grievances do "not seek to communicate to the
public or to advance a political or social point of view beyond the employment
context, ... [they] cannot form the predicate for a First Amendment retaliation claim." Emigh v.
Steffee, 442 F. App'x 660, 666 (3d Cir. 2011) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting
Borough of Duryea, Pa. v. Guarnieri, 131 S. Ct. 2488,2501 (2011)); see also Van Compernolle

9

v. City ofZeeland, 241 F. App'x 244, 251 (6th Cir. 2007) ("[Plaintiff] must do more than merely
associate his speech and activity with the union and our cases have consistently examined the
focus of the speech or activity to determine if it addresses a matter of public concern. Otherwise,
virtually every remark-and certainly every criticism directed at a public official-would plant
the seed of a constitutional case. The focus of [plaintiffs] activity in the present case was merely
to advance, collectively, internal personnel issues." (internal quotation marks and citations
omitted)).
Thomas admitted during her deposition testimony that all of the grievances she filed
centered on "working conditions and other issues in union members' employment." (D.I. 59, Ex.
C at 28.)

~omas

asserts that she filed grievances concerning asbestos and mold problems at

DSU (although she does not specifically mention these grievances in the context of her "public
concern" argument). (D.I. 65 at 22.) Such grievances could possibly touch on matters of public
concern. Thomas, however, fails to support these claims with any evidence in the record that
would allow· a reasonable factfinder to draw an inference in her favor.

Thomas' grievance

chart-which she states should be a complete record of the pending grievances-contains no
mention of asbestos, mold, or any other health related issue. (D.I. 65, Ex. M.) None ofthe actual
grievance forms in the record support her assertion either. (D.I. 59, Ex. R.)
The record is devoid of support for Thomas' claim that her speech touched on matters of
public concern. Thomas' grievances involved internal personnel matters, rather than issues of
interest to the broader community.

Having failed to establish this prong, Thomas cannot

demonstrate that she engaged in protected activity.
Even assuming Thomas was engaged in protected activity, the court finds there is no
10

evidence supporting the third prong of the First Amendment retaliation analysis: the protected
activity was a substantial motivating factor in the state actor's decision to take adverse
action. Rauser, 241 F.3d at 333. There must be a causal connection between the activity and the
termination, as evidenced by "(1) an unusually suggestive temporal proximity between the
protected activity and the allegedly retaliatory action, or (2) a pattern of antagonism coupled with
timing." Lauren W ex ref. Jean W v. DeFlaminis, 480 F. 3d 259, 267 (3d Cir. 2007).
Thomas does not argue that there was an unusual temporal proximity but rather a pattern
of antagonism. (D.I. 65 at 18-19.). First, she argues that Mohammadi targeted Thomas because
she had filed a grievance against his son in June 2009, six months before her termination. (D.I.
65, Ex. N.) According to Thomas' deposition, Mohammadi told Valentine that he was going to
"get" Thomas for "coming after" his son. (!d. Ex. B at 108-09.) This double hearsay statement,
which also appeared in Thomas' complaint, (D.I. 1,

~

15), is not supported by either

Mohammadi's or Valentine's testimony. (D.I. 67, Ex. 1 at 11; Ex. 2 at 142--43.)
Thomas also argues that her grievances and union activity created a strained relationship
with Houston. (D.I. 65 at 19; Ex. Cat 13-14.) However, Thomas fails to show that Houston's
conduct was causally related to Thomas' union activity in particular.

In fact, Valentine's

testimony reveals that Houston's "pattern of antagonism" was not even directed primarily at
Thomas: "[Houston] had been . . . very intimidating, very hostile, not with just Michelle
[Thomas], but most of our members, and in particular with me [Valentine] .... " (D.I. 65, Ex. C
at 13.) To establish a retaliation claim, the pattern of antagonism must be causally connected
to--i.e., a product of-the protected activity. Thomas' evidence shows any antagonism from

Houston was his ordinary demeanor and not causally related to Thomas' specific protected
11

activity.
Thomas has failed to establish that she engaged in protected activity. Moreover, the court
finds no causal connection between her activity and her ultimate employment termination. There
is no genuine issue of material fact for the factfinder. The court grants the Defendants' motion
for summary judgment as to Thomas' § 1983 First Amendment retaliation claim. 5
2. Denial of Procedural Due Process
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides that a state shall not
"deprive any person oflife, liberty, or property, without due process oflaw." U.S. Const. amend.
XIV.

The procedural aspect of the Due Process Clause mandates that individuals have a

"meaningful" opportunity to contest significant deprivations of liberty or property. Abbott v.

Latshaw, 164 F.3d 141,

14~7

(3d Cir.1998). In the context of public employment, the

procedures for terminating an employee are relatively well defined. Before an employee is to be
terminated for cause, she is entitled to a pre-termination hearing. See Cleveland Bd. of Educ. v.

Loudermill, 470 U.S. 532, 545-46 (1985). The "formality and procedural requisites for the
hearing can vary," but at a minimum, the employee must be given "notice and an opportunity to
respond." !d. The pre-termination hearing serves only as an "initial check against mistaken
decisions," id. at 545, and "need only include oral or written notice of the charges, an
explanation of the employer's evidence, and an opportunity for the employee to tell his side of
the story." Gilbert v. Hamar, 520 U.S. 924, 929 (1997). The employee is entitled to more
comprehensive process at a post-termination hearing. See id.
5

Having found no constitutional violation, the court need not address the Defendants' additional defense of
qualified immunity. (D.I. 66 at 1-3); see Schmidt v. Creedon, 639 F.3d 587, 595 (3d Cir. 2011). The court notes,
however, that the lack of clear precedent regarding the status of union activity as protected speech lends support for
the Defendants' assertion that-had the court found a constitutional violation-the right might not be considered
"clearly established." See Schmidt, 639 F.3d at 595.

12

Thomas argues that she did not receive a pre-termination hearing as required by
Loudermill. (D.I. 65 at 11-12; Ex. B at 12.) Thomas argues that the hearing she received was
not a pre-termination hearing and did not comport with due process under Loudermill or the
CBA.

(Id.)

Mohammadi and Houston maintain that the pre-termination hearing provided

Thomas all the process she was entitled to at that stage. (D.I. 58 at 15-16; D.I. 66 at 6-9.)
The court rejects Thomas' first argument that the hearing was not, in fact, a pretermination hearing. The facts show that on December 3, 2009, Thomas received a Notice of
Paid Administrative Leave and Intent to Terminate. (D.I. 59, Ex. L.) By its express terms, this
Notice did not actually terminate Thomas' employment, but simply notified her ofDSU's intent
to terminate "effective three days (3) from the date of this notice," unless Thomas

req~ested

a

pre-termination hearing. (!d.) Thomas was placed on paid leave and therefore was not denied
any property interest.

See Schmidt, 639 F.3d at 587 ("[D]ue process requires notice and a

hearing prior to suspension without pay .. .. " (emphasis added)).

Thomas clearly was not

terminated before the January 21, 2010, hearing.
The court also finds that the pre-termination hearing conducted by Houston provided due
process under the Fourteenth Amendment. Loudermill states:
The essential requirements of due process ... are notice and an
opportunity to respond. The opportunity to present reasons, either
in person or in writing, why proposed action should not be taken is
a fundamental due process requirement. ... To require more than
this prior to termination would intrude to an unwarranted extent on
the government's interest in quickly removing an unsatisfactory
employee.
Loudermill, 470 U.S. at 546 (emphasis added). Thus, beyond setting a floor for what process
must be offered (i.e., notice and opportunity to respond), Loudermill does not provide any
13

additional requirements as to the content of a pre-termination hearing. The record shows that
Thomas was afforded notice and an opportunity to respond. The Notice provided the basis for
her termination by going into specific detail concerning Thomas' altercation with Cooke, the
ensuing investigation, arrest, and her ultimate guilty plea. (D.I. 59, Ex. L.) Moreover, Thomas
was represented by Valentine at the pre-termination hearing, who responded to the charges. (D.I.
59, Ex. Cat 102.)
Thomas incorrectly equates the procedures outlined in the CBA with the due process
mandated by the Fourteenth Amendment. (D.I. 65 at 14-15.) While compliance with the CBA
may be sufficient to satisfy Fourteenth Amendment due process and Loudermill, the inverse is
not necessarily true. The Constitution defines the "minimum procedural

requir~ents,"

which

cannot be diminished by state law. See Loudermill, 470 U.S. at 541. Consequently, state law
and private contracts (like the CBA) are free to require stricter procedures. But violations under
state law do not take on Constitutional import. See Ciambriello v. Cnty. ofNassau, 2_92 F.3d 307
(2d Cir. 2002) ("[T]he Constitution, not state law sources such as the CBA, determines what
process is due."); cf McMullen v. Maple Shade Twp., 643 F.3d 96, (3d Cir. 2011) (finding that
arrests made in violation of state laws "that afford individuals protections beyond those found in
the United States Constitution ... are not, in and of themselves, actionable under§ 1983").
Thomas has failed to provide evidence that she was denied Constitutional due process at
her pre-termination hearing. The court grants the Defendants' motion for summary judgment as
to Thomas' § 1983 denial of due process claim.
B. Violation of Delaware's Whistleblowers' Protection Act

The WPA provides:
14

An employer shall not discharge, threaten, or otherwise
discriminate against an employee regarding the employee's
compensation, terms, conditions, location, or privileges of
employment:
(1) Because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of
the employee, reports or is about to report to a public body,
verbally or in writing, a violation which the employee
knows or reasonably believes has occurred or is about to
occur ....
19 Del. C. § 1703 (emphasis added). The WP A only applies to narrow categories of violations
as defined in the statute.

§ 1702(6).

Specifically, the WPA covers employees who report

violations involving "health, safety or environmental hazards" or "fraud, deceit, or
misappropriation of public or private funds or assets under the control of the employer." !d.
Thomas argues that she was terminated because she reported asbestos and mold problems
with the DSU facilities-a health or safety violation as defined by the WPA. (D.I. 65 at 22.)
DSU responds that Thomas has failed to adduce any evidence that she complained of these
violations or, if she did, that the Defendants were aware of such complaints; DSU argues,
therefore, that Thomas cannot satisfy her burden of proof as a matter oflaw. 6 (D.I. 58 at 19-20;
D.I. 66 at 10.)
The court notes that its supplemental jurisdiction over Thomas' state law WPA claim
originally stemmed from her federal § 1983 claims. See 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). Because there is
no longer an active federal question, the court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction. See
§ 1367(c)(3); Shaffer v. Bd. of Sch. Dirs. of Albert Gallatin Area Sch. Dist., 730 F.2d 910, 913
(3d Cir. 1984) ("[I]f the federal claims are dismissed before trial, even though not insubstantial
6

The court has previously held that state defendants are entitled to Eleventh Amendment immunity from
WPA claims in federal court. See Fender v. Del. Div. ofRevenue, No. 12-1364-GMS, 2014 WL 4635416, at *5-6
(D. Del. Sept. 15, 2014). Although DSU asserted Eleventh Amendment immunity as a general affirmative defense
in its pleadings, (D.I. 15 at 9), no part of its summary judgment briefing requests Eleventh Amendment immunity
from Thomas' WPA claim. As such, the defense is waived.

15

in a jurisdictional sense, the state claims should be dismissed as well." (quoting United Mine
Workers ofAm. v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715, 726 (1966))). The court dismisses Thomas' WPA claim
for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3).
Even if the court were to exercise jurisdiction, however, the claims would fail because
Thomas has not produced evidence demonstrating that she was fired because she reported mold
and asbestos violations. See 19 Del. C. § 1703. Thomas is unable to point to any proof beyond
her deposition testimony that she made such complaints at all. (D.I. 65, Ex. B at 120-23.)
Accepting the truth of Thomas' statements, the court still finds that the testimony lacks any
specific information which would allow a factfinder to make an inference of causation. Thomas
fails to provide approximate dates for when these complaints were made besides one. complaint
in 2003, more than six years prior to her termination, and before Thomas served as Union
President. (!d. at 123.) As discussed above in the context of Thomas' retaliation claim, timing is
a critical factor in assessing causation. Cf DeFlaminis, 480 F. 3d at 267 (explaining t])at, in the
§ 1983 retaliation context, a causal connection may be shown by "(1) an unusually suggestive
temporal proximity between the protected activity and the allegedly retaliatory action, or (2) a
pattern of antagonism coupled with timing" (emphasis added)). Moreover, Thomas fails to offer
any testimony indicating that Mohammadi-the person "who made the decision to terminate
[Thomas]" (D.I. 65 at 6)-knew of these complaints. Thus Thomas has failed to establish a
chain of causation leading from her alleged complaints of safety violations to her ultimate
discharge from employment. Thomas' WPA claim fails as a matter oflaw.

V.

CONCLUSION

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In light of the foregoing, the court grants the Defendants' motion for summary judgment.
(D.I. 57.)

Dated: October~' 2014

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