Gaus v. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

Filing 17

ORDER granting 2 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim as to plaintiff's claims under the MHRA. However, the Court believes plaintiff may be able to allege sufficient facts related to the original complaint that could state a claim for relief under federal law for race and disability discrimination. Therefore, plaintiff is directed to file a motion for leave to file an amended complaint on or before May 25, 2017. Signed on 05/05/2017 by District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. (Powers, Jo) (A copy of this order was sent by regular and certified mail (article No. 7006 2760 0000 6393 7635) to Clayton Gaus, 311A SE Melody Lane, Lees Summit, MO 64063 on 5/5/2017. (Melvin, Greg)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
WESTERN DIVISION
CLAYTON GAUS,
Plaintiff,
v.
DOLLAR TREE STORES, INC.,
Defendant.

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Case No. 17-0026-CV-W-FJG

ORDER
Pending before the Court is Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (Doc. No. 2), arguing
that plaintiff’s claim was filed too late. When plaintiff failed to respond to the motion to
dismiss, the Court ordered plaintiff to show cause in writing on or before February 27,
2017, why this case should not be dismissed for the reasons stated in defendant’s
motion. Plaintiff filed his response to the show cause order on February 21, 2017, and
subsequently defendant filed reply suggestions on March 14, 2017.
Defendant argues that plaintiff’s petition was filed untimely under the Missouri
Human Rights Act. Plaintiff’s right to sue letter under the Missouri Human Rights Act is
dated July 8, 2016. See Doc. No. 1-2, p. 4. Plaintiff’s petition, filed in the Circuit Court
of Jackson County, Missouri, was filed on October 7, 2016.

R.S.Mo. § 213.111.1

requires that plaintiff file his petition within 90 days of the issuance of the Right to Sue
Notice. Here, as in Hammond v. Municipal Correction Institute, the plaintiff filed his
petition 91 days after the Notice was issued. See 117 S.W.3d 130 (Mo. App., W.D.
2003). In Hammond, the Missouri Court of Appeals found that the plaintiff’s claims were
filed untimely, as plaintiff Hammond was warned that he must bring his civil action within
90 days of the notice, yet failed to do so. Id. at 139. Thus, on the same facts as are
present in this matter, the Missouri Court of Appeals found that plaintiff Hammond had
failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. Id. at 135-36.

In his response, pro se plaintiff Gaus argues that he received his 90-day right to
sue from both the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) as well as the EEOC
on July 12, 2016. Plaintiff argues he was confused about which letter to include when
he filed his petition at the Jackson County Courthouse, so only included the one from
the MCHR. Plaintiff argues that, although the letter from the EEOC was signed and
dated June 21, 2016 (with an indication it was mailed on June 21, 2016)1, he did not
receive that letter until July 12, 2016. Plaintiff notes that the EEOC letter indicates he
has 90 days to sue upon receipt of the letter, and that by filing his petition on October 7,
2016, he would have fallen within the 90-day period for filing an EEOC action.
In reply, defendant notes that plaintiff’s petition (Doc. No. 1-2, pp. 2-3) makes no
mention of a federal claim (other than one possibly based on the “disability act of 1973,”
which to the extent plaintiff meant to refer to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not
apply to plaintiff as he is not a federal employee). Nor does plaintiff’s petition attach a
copy of the Right to Sue letter from the EEOC. As the only claim mentioned in the
petition is one under the MHRA, and that claim was filed untimely, defendant argues
that the motion to dismiss must be granted.
The Court agrees with defendant that, to the extent plaintiff is pleading claims
under the MHRA, the motion to dismiss (Doc. No. 2) must be GRANTED. However, the
Court believes that plaintiff may be able to allege sufficient facts related to the original
complaint that could state a claim for relief under federal law for race and disability
discrimination. See Bradley v. Commerce Bank, N.A., No. 09-1084-CV-W-FJG, 2010

1

The Court notes that, under the applicable case law, it is presumed that notice is
received three days after notice is mailed. Rich v. Bob Downes Chrysler Plymouth, Inc.,
831 F.Supp. 733, 735 (E.D. Mo. 1993) (citing Ballwin Cty. Welcome Ctr. v. Brown, 466
U.S. 147, 148 n.1 (1984)). Given that the letter from the EEOC states that it was mailed
on June 21, 2016, the Court has questions as to whether plaintiff first received the letter
on July 12, 2016, in a single mailing with the MHRA notice of right to sue.
2 

WL 1994707 at *6 (W.D. Mo. May 14, 2010) (allowing relation back to encompass inartfully pled Title VII claims even though MHRA claims were untimely and dismissed)
(citing Baker v. John Morrell & Co., 266 F.Supp.2d 909, 929 n.3 (N.D. Iowa 2003)).
Therefore, plaintiff is directed to file a motion for leave to file an amended complaint on
or before MAY 25, 2017, attempting to state a claim for relief under federal
discrimination law. The motion for leave to file an amended complaint must contain (1)
a copy of the proposed amended complaint; (2) plaintiff’s charge of discrimination
submitted to the EEOC; and (3) plaintiff’s right to sue letter. Plaintiff is cautioned that if
he fails to file a motion for leave to amend his complaint on or before May 25, 2017, this
matter may be dismissed without further notice.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of the Court send a copy of this order
by regular and certified mail to plaintiff at the following address: Clayton Gaus, 311A SE
Melody Lane, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Date: May 5, 2017
Kansas City, Missouri

S/ FERNANDO J. GAITAN, JR.
Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr.
United States District Judge 

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