Riggins v. Burwell et al
Filing
27
MEMORANDUM. Signed by Chief Judge Catherine C. Blake on 2/27/2017. (krs, Deputy Clerk)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
MICHAEL K. RIGGINS
:
:
v.
: CIVIL NO. CCB-16-1687
:
SYLVIA MATTHEWS BURWELL, ET AL. :
...o0o...
MEMORANDUM
On May 27, 2016, Michael Riggins, representing himself, filed suit in this court against
his former employer, the Department of Health & Human Services (“DHHS”). He alleges
gender and disability discrimination, and retaliation, under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, and the
Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 791-794. Now pending is a fully-briefed motion for summary
judgment. For the reasons stated below, the motion will be granted.1
Mr. Riggins was hired by DHHS on February 27, 2011 as a Customer Service
Representative (“CSR”) and Team Lead for three female CSRs in a Supply Service Center in
Perry Point, Maryland, subject to a one-year probationary term. (Notification of Personnel
Action, ECF No. 13-6; Steven Pearson Aff. at ¶ 7, ECF No. 13-7; Steven Pearson Depo. at pp.
20–21, ECF No. 13-22). Mr. Riggins is male and has a Veterans’ Administration 10% disability
rating for hearing loss and anxiety disorders. (Compl. at §§ III.D & E).
Mr. Riggins became the subject of complaints from several co-workers. On April 28,
2011, his supervisor Steven Pearson and Irene Grubb held a group meeting with Riggins and the
other CSRs to “clear the air,” but the meeting was not successful. (Steven Pearson Aff. at ¶ 15;
Irene Grubb Aff. at ¶¶ 12–16, ECF No. 13-12). On June 30, 2011, after Riggins had a verbal
confrontation with Allison Lempka and Jennifer Walters, (Jennifer Walters Aff. at ¶ 14, ECF No.
1
Plaintiff’s motion for counsel (ECF No. 3) will be denied. The parties have compiled a thorough record and Mr.
Riggins is able to effectively present his arguments.
1
13-8; Marvyne Stewart Aff. at ¶ 19, ECF No. 13-9; Allison Lempka Aff. at ¶¶ 10, 12–13, ECF
No. 13-11), Pearson placed him on paid administrative leave. (Steven Pearson Aff. at ¶ 27; Irene
Grubb Aff. at ¶¶ 27–28; Mem. to Michael Riggins from Steven Pearson, ECF No. 13-16; Steven
Pearson Depo. at pp.101–103). After investigation, Riggins was directed to report back for duty
in another area on July 25, 2011, (Mem. to Michael Riggins from Irene Grubb, ECF No. 13-17),
but he refused the new work assignment. He was again ordered to return to work on August 1,
2011; when he refused he was placed on AWOL status (absence without leave) and was
terminated on August 24, 2011. (Steven Pearson Aff. at ¶ 29; Irene Grubb Aff. at ¶ 31; Mem. to
Michael Riggins from Steven Pearson, ECF No. 13-18; Steven Pearson Depo. at pp. 111–113).
Riggins filed an informal EEO complaint on July 5, 2011, a formal complaint on August
11, 2011, and an amended complaint on September 8, 2011. (Formal EEO Admin. Compl., ECF
No. 13-3; DHHS Acceptance of Am. EEO Admin. Compl., ECF No. 13-4). After a hearing, an
Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) apparently found on September 10, 2013, that no
discrimination had occurred. (Defs.’ Mem. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss at 15, ECF No. 13-1).
The ALJ’s decision was upheld by the Office of Federal Operations on March 24, 2016, and July
7, 2016. (Id.). This lawsuit followed.
The court will assume without deciding that Riggins has stated a prima facie claim for
gender and disability discrimination and retaliation, at least in regard to his termination. He has
provided no evidence, however, that his employer’s proffered legitimate reasons for its actions
are a pretext for discrimination. See Laing v. Fed. Express Corp., 703 F.3d 713, 721 (4th Cir.
2013).2 The various issues he complains of are discussed below.
2
While Laing concerns alleged retaliation under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), claims of retaliation under
FMLA are analogous to discrimination claims brought under Title VII, see Yashenko v. Harrah’s N.C. Casino Co.,
446 F.3d 541, 551 (4th Cir. 2006), and, as such, are analyzed under the burden-shifting framework of McDonnell
Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973).
2
First, as to the alleged lack of training and the placement of a camera in the CSRs’
workspace, there is no evidence that the on-the-job training provided for Riggins was different
from the training provided for the non-disabled female CSRs. (Jennifer Walters Aff. at ¶¶ 6–8;
Marvyne Stewart Aff. at ¶¶ 6–8; Kolene Gaylord Aff. at ¶¶ 6–8, ECF No. 13-10; Irene Grubb
Aff. at ¶¶ 8–10; Email to Michael Riggins from Kolene Gaylord, ECF No. 13-21; Steven
Pearson Depo. at pp. 30–35). The security camera was not the first installed in the Perry Point
workplace, nor was it directed at Riggins to any extent greater than his co-workers. (Steven
Pearson Aff. at ¶ 19; Jennifer Walters Aff. at ¶¶ 10–12; Marvyne Stewart Aff. at ¶¶ 12–15; GX 8
at ¶¶ 10–12; GX 10 at ¶¶ 19–23; GX 12 at ¶¶ 12–13. Riggins also complains he was falsely
accused of sexual harassment by one of the female CSRs. Pearson explained that he interpreted
the complaint as one of harassment generally. (Steven Pearson Aff.at ¶ 12). The female CSR
denied alleging sexual harassment. (Marvyne Stewart Aff. at ¶ 9). Riggins was not charged with
sexual harassment nor was sexual harassment proffered as a reason for his termination. (Mem. to
Michael Riggins from Steven Pearson). Asked to identify a comparator, Riggins stated only that
a female employee “raised her voice” and was not fired. He did not show any substantial
similarity between her conduct and the overall course of events that led to his termination.
Riggins’ termination followed an escalating series of complaints about his loud, volatile,
and disrespectful conduct toward fellow employees in the workplace. It also followed
supervisors’ attempts to “clear the air” by a group meeting, and offers of other placements within
the Perry Point location, which Riggins declined. Considering the very thorough record in this
case, there is simply no evidence that his employers’ management decisions were motivated by
his gender or disability, or by his July 2011 EEO complaint. Accordingly, the motion for
summary judgment will be granted.
3
A separate order follows.
February 27, 2017
Date
/S/
Catherine C. Blake
United States District Judge
4
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?