Jones v. Enoch Pratt Free Library

Filing 14

MEMORANDUM. Signed by Chief Judge Catherine C. Blake on 3/10/2017. (c/m 3/10/17 bas, Deputy Clerk)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
CALVIN E. JONES
v.
ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY

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: CIVIL NO. CCB-16-4110
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...o0o...
MEMORANDUM

Calvin E. Jones, representing himself, filed suit in this court on December 28, 2016
alleging various claims against the Enoch Pratt Free Library arising out of the termination of his
employment in February 2011. The Library filed a motion to dismiss, which has been fully
briefed and will be granted for the reasons stated below.
First, it is evident on the face of the complaint that Mr. Jones’s claims are barred by the
applicable statutes of limitations. The limitations periods are three years for a § 1983 due
process constitutional claim, see Jersey Heights Neighborhood Ass’n v. Glendening, 174 F.3d
180, 187 (4th Cir. 1999), four years for a § 1981 race discrimination claim, see Jones v. R. R.
Donnelley & Sons, 541 U.S. 369, 383-84 (2004), and two to three years for an FLSA claim, see
29 U.S.C. § 255(a). Second, any claim under Title VII for racial discrimination or retaliation is
barred by Mr. Jones’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies. See 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(b),
(f)(1); Bryant v. Bell Atl. Md., Inc., 288 F.3d 124, 132 (4th Cir. 2002). Finally, while Mr. Jones
may have been pursuing various grievances since 2011, he has shown no basis for equitable
tolling of any limitations period; there is simply no evidence of any conduct by the Library that
would support such tolling. See, e.g., Olson v. Mobil Oil Corp., 904 F.2d 198, 201 (4th Cir.
1990) (“Equitable tolling . . . applies only when . . . the employer wrongfully deceived or misled
the plaintiff in order to conceal the existence of a cause of action.”) (internal citations omitted).

In summary, given the number of years that have passed since Mr. Jones’s employment
was terminated, and his failure to obtain a right-to-sue letter from the EEOC, his claims may not
be brought in this court. The complaint will be dismissed by a separate Order, which follows.

March 10, 2017
Date

/S/
Catherine C. Blake
United States District Judge