Prentice v. Port Authority Of New York And New Jersey
Filing
35
MEMORANDUM OF DECISION & ORDER - Based on the foregoing, the Court grants in part the Port Authoritys 24 motion for summary judgment dismissing the federal claims, over which the Court has original jurisdiction. Further, the Court declines to exer cise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law cause of action, which is dismissed without prejudice to refiling in the appropriate forum. The Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to close this case. SEE ATTACHED DECISION for details. So Ordered by Judge Arthur D. Spatt on 5/23/2017. (Coleman, Laurie)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
WILLIAM PRENTICE,
Plaintiff,
-againstPORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY,
FILED
CLERK
4:07 pm, May 23, 2017
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
LONG ISLAND OFFICE
Memorandum of
Decision & Order
15-cv-738(ADS)(AKT)
Defendant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
APPEARANCES:
Reynold A. Mauro, Esq.
Attorney for the Plaintiff
353 Veterans Memorial Highway
Commack, NY 11725
Office of the General Counsel
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Attorneys for the Defendant
225 Park Avenue South, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10003
By: Karla D. Denalli, Esq.
SPATT, District Judge:
Presently before the Court in this employment discrimination case is a motion by the
Defendant Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (the “Port Authority”), pursuant to Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure (“FED. R. CIV. P.”) 56, seeking summary judgment and dismissal of the
complaint.
For the reasons that follow, that motion is granted as to the federal claims over which the
Court has original jurisdiction, and the Court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the
remaining state law cause of action.
1
I.
A.
BACKGROUND
The Current Record
Before turning to the salient facts, the Court makes a few initial observations regarding the
record in this case.
First, the Court’s recitation of the material facts is based solely on the Defendant’s Local Rule
56.1 Statement and the Court’s evaluation of the supporting evidence in the record.
In this regard, despite being served with the Defendant’s Local Rule 56.1 Statement on May
16, 2016, and October 21, 2016, the Plaintiff, apparently in violation of the Local Civil Rules and this
Court’s Individual Motion Practices, never served a counter-statement of facts or otherwise
materially disputed the Defendant’s version.
See Local Civil Rule 56.1(b); Individual Motion
Practices of Judge Arthur D. Spatt § IV(D)(i).
Thus, given the Plaintiff’s failure to respond, the Defendant’s version of the material facts, to
the extent it is well-supported by the evidence in the record, is deemed admitted for purposes of this
motion. See Local Civil Rule 56.1(c).
Further, again in apparent violation of the relevant rules, the eight-page attorney affirmation
that the Plaintiff submitted in opposition to the present motion does not include a statement of
facts; does not attach any supporting evidence; and does not specifically cite to supposedly disputed
portions of the Defendant’s evidence. Rather, the Plaintiff cites extensively to the complaint, and
asks the Court to simply deem those allegations as provably true. However, this approach is
patently insufficient to defeat a properly-supported motion for summary judgment. See
FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c)(1)(A) (requiring that “a party asserting that a fact cannot be or is genuinely
disputed must support the assertion by . . . citing to particular parts of the materials in the record”);
see also Champion v. Artuz, 76 F.3d 483, 485 (2d Cir. 1996) (noting that a plaintiff opposing summary
judgment may not rely on his complaint to defeat the motion).
2
Also, the Plaintiff has interposed an unauthorized surreply, which, in its discretion, the
Court declines to consider. See Kapiti v. Kelly, No. 07-cv-3782, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20135, at *3 n.1
(S.D.N.Y. Mar. 12, 2008) (noting that “the decision to permit a litigant to submit a surreply is a
matter left to the Court’s discretion, since neither the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure nor the Local
Civil Rules of this Court [and the Eastern District] authorize litigants to file surreplies”).
Against this backdrop, the Court notes the following facts, which are materially undisputed.
B.
The Relevant Facts
The Plaintiff is an African-American male and an observant member of the Seventh Day
Adventist Church.
On November 1, 1993, he was hired by the Port Authority as a police officer recruit. After
graduating from the academy, he spent approximately 14 years working various details at JFK
International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
1.
The Plaintiff’s Temporary Assignment to the Criminal Investigations Bureau
It is undisputed that on or about October 3, 2007, the Plaintiff was temporarily assigned to
the Criminal Investigations Bureau (“CIB”), as part of an initiative informally called the Silver Shield
program. The Silver Shield program was designed to supplement the detective ranks in CIB with
plainclothes police officers from the Public Safety Department, such as the Plaintiff.
The Plaintiff testified at his deposition that he joined the Silver Shield program subject to
certain expectations given to him by the Deputy Superintendent George Johansen. In particular, the
Plaintiff was apparently made to believe that his participation in the program guaranteed his
eventual promotion to detective. However, other than his own testimony, there is no evidence in the
record to corroborate the Plaintiff’s understanding of the opportunities for advancement within the
Silver Shield program.
On the other hand, the Port Authority contends that participation in the Silver Shield
program is, by definition, temporary; that a police officer’s participation is not a guaranteed entrée to
3
detective; and, conversely, that participation in the program is not a prerequisite to being promoted,
so that officers who do not participate are also eligible to be made detectives.
Consistent with its contention, the Port Authority produced a memorandum from Deputy
Chief of Staff Michael P. Valenti to Police Office Gus Danese, the President of the Port Authority
Police Benevolent Association, entitled “Temporary Assignment – Police Officer William Prentice
(#39260) JFK – Assigned to Criminal Investigations Bureau.”
As its title suggests, this memo set forth certain agreed-upon terms between the Port
Authority and the PBA regarding the Plaintiff’s temporary assignment to CIB.
In relevant part, the memo indicated that the Plaintiff’s assignment would commence on
October 3, 2007 and would continue for one year, unless extended by agreement of the parties. It
further stated that, at the conclusion of his assignment, the Plaintiff would return to his former
position as a Port Authority police officer at JFK airport. During his assignment, the Plaintiff would
retain his title and all police officer benefits, and he would remain eligible for any promotion or
transfer opportunities that arose during his assignment for which he was otherwise qualified. Also,
during this time, although he was not eligible for voluntary overtime as a police officer at his
permanent facility, namely, JFK airport, he remained eligible to perform voluntary overtime as a
police officer at other facilities, and in CIB.
On October 2, 2007, Danese signed the memo to “indicate [his] concurrence” with the terms
outlined therein.
2.
The March 2012 Promotion Opportunity
On March 23, 2012, while the Plaintiff was working in CIB, the Port Authority announced
that it was seeking to identify qualified candidates for a promotion to detective.
On March 26, 2012, the Plaintiff applied for this position by submitting a written statement
of interest, nicknamed a “handwritten.”
4
In a supporting affidavit, Michael Ford, the Manager for Assessment Services in the Port
Authority’s Human Resources Department, described the process by which candidates were
evaluated.
Namely, after receiving the “handwrittens” of all interested candidates, a random
selection process monitored by the Office of the Inspector General was used to generate a candidate
pool of 160 applicants.
From there, a Promotion Review Board performed additional screening of those in the
candidate pool, utilizing a number of performance-based factors, including attendance history and
patterns; discipline history; number, nature and history of Civilian Complaint Investigations Unit,
criminal, or civil actions; and Internal Affairs complaints or other pending allegations.
Then, the most competitive candidates were selected to proceed to an interview with
members of the Public Safety and Human Resources Departments, at which time their commanding
officers were also required to complete a Promotion/Developmental Appraisal form. The Promotion
Review Board then reviewed the finalists’ overall qualifications and made promotional
recommendations to the Superintendent of Police.
On May 11, 2012, Brian Oberhelm, a Strategic HR Partner in the Port Authority’s Human
Resources Department, notified the Plaintiff in a memo that he had not been among the initial 160
candidates randomly-selected to proceed in the evaluation process. Therefore, he was removed from
consideration for the promotion.
The Court notes that a computer printout of the names randomly-selected at the first stage
of this hiring process was submitted with Ford’s affidavit, and does not include the Plaintiff’s name.
3.
The Conclusion of the Plaintiff’s Temporary Assignment
On May 14, 2013, the Superintendent of Police Michael A. Fedorko issued a memo to all
commanding officers entitled “Reassignment/Transfer Police Personnel.”
The memo stated that,
effective Sunday, May 26, 2013, the Plaintiff, who “had been On Loan on temporary assignment with
CIB,” would be “transferring back to his home command” at JFK airport.
5
The Plaintiff alleges, and the Port Authority does not deny, that his tenure with CIB ended,
and he was returned to normal duty, because the Silver Shield program was “dissolved,” or was
otherwise disbanded. However, there is no evidence in the record relating to this fact.
4.
The Plaintiff’s Complaints of Discrimination
On June 24, 2013, the Plaintiff filed with the EEOC a charge of discrimination against the
Port Authority. The Court notes that the Plaintiff’s complaint was dated June 6, 2013; notarized on
June 10, 2013; and, as evidenced by time-stamps, received at the EEOC’s New York divisional office
on June 24, 2013.
In particular, the charge alleged that the Plaintiff was discriminated against on the basis of
his race, color, and religion. Namely, he alleged that, during his tenure with CIB, “many vacancies”
arose for detective positions, which ultimately went to other officers, “many” of whom were junior to
him in years of service; “most” of whom were Caucasian; and none of whom was a practicing Seventh
Day Adventist. The Plaintiff alleged that the Port Authority had not provided him with any
legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for failing to promote him.
As indicated above, despite referring to multiple alleged promotional opportunities for
which he was passed over, the record in this case only contains evidence regarding the March 23,
2012 opening for a detective position. In this regard, it is also noted that, for reasons neither
explained by the Plaintiff nor established by the record, the EEOC charge alleged, without
elaboration, that the last act of discrimination occurred on May 6, 2013.
The EEOC transmitted notice of the Plaintiff’s charge of discrimination to the Port Authority
on or about July 12, 2013.
5.
The July 2013 Promotion Opportunity
On July 15, 2013, after the Plaintiff had returned to his usual detail as a police officer, the Port
Authority again announced that it was seeking to fill a detective position.
6
On July 16, 2013, the Plaintiff applied for this position by submitting a “handwritten”
expressing his interest.
This time, the Plaintiff was among those initially randomly-selected to comprise the
candidate pool, and in fact, was ultimately selected for the promotion. Thus, effective February 21,
2014, the Plaintiff attained the rank of detective, the position he holds today.
6.
This Action
On February 12, 2015, after the EEOC dismissed his charge and authorized him to file suit,
the Plaintiff commenced this action.
His complaint alleges two causes of action – one simply styled a “federal claim,” and the
other styled a “pendent New York State action.”
The so-called federal claim alleges only that the Plaintiff is “entitled to due process and equal
protection under the law,” and that he was passed over for “various” promotions to detective due to
his race; his ethnicity; his religion; and, for the first time, an unspecified “medical condition.”
Although this omnibus “federal claim” identifies the Americans with Disabilities Act
(“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., as a source of rights for alleged disability discrimination, it fails to
identify any other relevant authority for the relief sought. Nor do the Plaintiff’s opposition papers
make explicit or implicit reference to any federal antidiscrimination statute.
Rather, the Plaintiff apparently incorporates by reference the jurisdictional statement in his
complaint, which purports to invoke the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
(“Title VI”), 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”),
42 U.S.C. § 2000e
et
seq.;
42 U.S.C. § 1983
(“§ 1983”);
42 U.S.C. § 1985
(“§ 1985”);
and
42 U.S.C. § 1986 (“§ 1986”).
Accordingly, the Court construes the complaint as asserting the following claims: (1) racial
discrimination in violation of Title VI, Title VII, and § 1983; (2) religious discrimination in violation
of Title VI, Title VII, and § 1983; (3) disability discrimination in violation of the ADA and § 1983
7
(disability is not a protected class under Title VI or Title VII); and (4) conspiracy to commit racial,
religious, and disability discrimination in violation of § 1985 and § 1986.
There is also an analogous state law claim alleging discrimination based on “race, religion
and perceived disability,” in violation of the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”),
N.Y. Exec. L. § 290 et seq.
II.
A.
DISCUSSION
The Standard of Review
Under FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a), “[t]he court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows
that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law.”
In this regard, “ ‘[t]he moving party bears the [initial] burden of establishing the absence of
any genuine issue of material fact.’ ” Perpall v. Pavetek Corp., No. 12-cv-0336, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
44567, at *33 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 27, 2017) (quoting Zalaski v. City of Bridgeport Police Dep’t, 613 F.3d 336, 340
(2d Cir. 2010)). If this burden is met, the non-movant must then “ ‘designate specific facts showing
that there is a genuine issue for trial.’ ” Id. (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322,
106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986)).
As noted above, “the party opposing summary judgment must set forth evidence
demonstrating a genuine issue for trial, and may not rely only on allegations in its pleadings.” Id. at
*33-*34 (emphasis supplied) (citing Salahuddin v. Goord, 467 F.3d 263, 273 (2d Cir. 2006)).
In applying this standard, “[t]he Court ‘must draw all reasonable inferences and resolve all
ambiguities in favor of the non-moving party.’ ” Castle Rock Entm’t, Inc. v. Carol Publ’g Grp., Inc., 150 F.3d
132, 137 (2d Cir. 1998) (quoting Garza v. Marine Transp. Lines, Inc., 861 F.2d 23, 26 (2d Cir. 1998)).
However, “conclusory statements, conjecture, or speculation by the party resisting the motion will
8
not defeat summary judgment.” Perpall, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44567, at *34 (quoting Achille v.
Chestnut Ridge Transp., Inc., 584 F. App’x 20, 22 (2d Cir. 2014)).
With these standards in mind, the Court turns to the parties’ substantive contentions.
B.
The Plaintiff’s Claims of Disability Discrimination
The Plaintiff brings claims of disability discrimination under the ADA and § 1983. For the
reasons that follow, the Port Authority’s motion for summary judgment dismissing these claims is
granted.
1.
The ADA Claim is Unexhausted
It is well-settled that “a plaintiff bringing claims under the ADA . . . must exhaust certain
administrative remedies before initiating suit in the district court.” Hodges v. Holder, 518 F. App’x 45,
46 (2d Cir. 2013). Namely, “a plaintiff typically may raise in a district court complaint only those
claims that either were included in or are reasonably related to the allegations contained in [his]
EEOC charge.” Id. (quoting Holtz v. Rockefeller & Co., Inc., 258 F.3d 62, 83 (2d Cir. 2001)).
In this case, disability discrimination was not included in the Plaintiff’s EEOC charge.
Rather, he identified only race, color, and religion as the causes of his alleged discriminatory
treatment. Despite the presence of a box clearly indicating “disability” as a basis for the charge, he
did not check it.
Nor is there any apparent basis for concluding that disability discrimination is reasonably
related to the allegations contained in the EEOC charge. In this regard, the Plaintiff annexed to his
administrative complaint a document containing 21 typed paragraphs of factual allegations, none of
which expressly or impliedly mentioned a disability.
Accordingly, the Court finds that the Plaintiff’s claim based on disability discrimination
under the ADA is unexhausted. Summary judgment dismissing that claim is therefore appropriate.
9
2.
There is no Constitutional Basis for a Separate § 1983 Claim
In general, “[f]reedom from discrimination on the basis of disability is a right secured by
statute, not by the Constitution.” Lener v. Hempstead Pub. Sch., 55 F. Supp. 3d 267, 281 (E.D.N.Y. 2014)
(internal citation omitted). Thus, where a claim of disability discrimination is premised on the
substantive rights provided by the ADA, it will not be independently actionable under § 1983. See id.
In this case, the Plaintiff fails to articulate any constitutional basis upon which a § 1983
disability discrimination claim might be predicated.
Nor do his allegations of disability
discrimination premised on a failure-to-promote theory suffice to invoke substantive rights separate
and apart from those provided by the ADA.
Accordingly, to the extent that the Plaintiff purports to separately allege disability
discrimination in violation of § 1983, his claim fails as a matter of law.
C.
The Plaintiff’s Claims of Racial and Religious Discrimination
The Plaintiff brings claims of racial discrimination and religious discrimination under Title
VI, Title VII, and § 1983. For the reasons that follow, the Port Authority’s motion for summary
judgment dismissing these claims is also granted.
1. The Title VII Claims are Untimely
“Title VII requires a claimant to file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC within 180
days of the alleged unlawful employment action or, if the claimant has already filed the charge with a
state or local equal employment agency, within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory action.”
Sanderson v. N.Y. State Elec. & Gas Corp., 560 F. App’x 88, 90 (2d Cir. 2014) (quoting Van Zant v. KLM
Royal Dutch Airlines, 80 F.3d 708, 714-15 (2d Cir. 1996)); see 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1).
In this case, the Plaintiff alleges a theory of liability premised on the Port Authority’s failure
to promote him to detective. However, the record contains evidence of only one instance in which
10
the Plaintiff was passed over for a promotion, namely, the vacancy which was announced on March
23, 2012. He was notified that he was not selected for this position on May 11, 2012.
Yet the Plaintiff did not file his charge of discrimination with the EEOC until June 24, 2013,
approximately 409 days later. Thus, it is untimely, as a matter of law. See Sanderson, 560 F. App’x at
90 (noting that the 180-day filing requirement “is analogous to a statute of limitations”).
The Court’s reasoning is not altered by the Plaintiff’s repeated and non-specific references to
“various [detective] vacancies” that arose while he was on special assignment to CIB, and for which
he was passed over. As noted above, he cites to no evidence in the record to substantiate these
occurrences.
Nor is the Court persuaded that the relevant 180-day limitations period should run from May
14, 2013, namely, when the Plaintiff’s assignment with CIB ended and he was transferred back to his
usual duties at JFK. In this regard, the Plaintiff cites no evidence to support his theory that this
constituted an “unlawful employment action” sufficient to trigger the filing deadline.
On the contrary, the record is clear that the Plaintiff’s assignment to CIB was, by definition,
temporary; that it was always meant for him to return to his prior position when the special
assignment ended; and that Port Authority police officers selected for participation in the Silver
Shield program were routinely returned to their usual detail in precisely the same manner the
Plaintiff was returned. See Tillman v. Verizon N.Y., Inc., 118 F. Supp. 3d 515, 534 (E.D.N.Y. 2015) (Spatt,
J.) (finding that the expiration of a temporary employee’s fixed term, which, as here, substantially
conformed to the terms of the plaintiff’s employment offer, did not constitute a materially adverse
employment action).
Nor is there any evidence that the expiration of the Plaintiff’s assignment with CIB was
accompanied by a materially adverse change in the terms and conditions of his employment. Rather,
the October 2, 2007 memo between Valenti and Danese indicates that, during the course of his
assignment to CIB, the Plaintiff maintained all the material benefits of his position as a police officer,
11
as well as his eligibility for promotional and transfer opportunities for which he was otherwise
qualified.
Finally, the Court notes that the Plaintiff’s EEOC charge conclusorily states that the last act
of discrimination occurred on May 6, 2013, a fact he contends demonstrates the timeliness of his
action. However, notwithstanding this notation in the EEOC charge, there is neither evidence in the
current record nor any factual allegations in the charge itself to suggest that any actionable conduct
occurred on that date.
Accordingly, the Court finds that the Plaintiff’s claims of racial and religious discrimination
under Title VII are untimely as a matter of law. Summary judgment dismissing those claims is
therefore granted.
2.
Alternative Analysis – The Title VII Claims Fail as a Matter of Law
Even assuming that these claims are timely, the Plaintiff has not adduced sufficient evidence
to create a triable issue of fact on the issues of racial or religious discrimination.
a.
The Relevant Analytical Framework
The Plaintiff’s Title VII claims are governed by the burden-shifting test announced in
McDonnel Douglas v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 36 L. Ed. 2d 668 (1973). As the Second Circuit
has explained:
At the first stage, the plaintiff bears the burden of establishing a “prima facie” case. Burdine,
450 U.S. at 252-53. The requirements to establish a prima facie case are “minimal,” Hicks, 509
U.S. at 506, and a plaintiff’s burden is therefore “not onerous,” Burdine, 450 U.S. at 253.
“Establishment of the prima facie case in effect creates a presumption that the employer
unlawfully discriminated against the employee.” Id. at 254. At the second McDonnell Douglas
stage, the presumption created by the prima facie case “places upon the defendant the
burden of producing an explanation to rebut the prima facie face – i.e., the burden of
‘producing evidence’ that the adverse employment actions were taken ‘for a legitimate,
nondiscriminatory reason.’ ” Hicks, 509 U.S. at 506-07 (quoting Burdine, 450 U.S. at 254). If
the defendant satisfies its burden of production, then “the presumption raised by the prima
facie case is rebutted and drops from the case.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation
omitted). At the final stage, the plaintiff then has “the opportunity to demonstrate that the
proffered reason was not the true reason for the employment decision” – a burden that
“merges with the ultimate burden of persuading the court that she has been the victim of
12
intentional discrimination.” Burdine, 450 U.S. at 256; see also Reeves v. Sanderson Plumbing Prods.,
Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 142-43, 120 S. Ct. 2097, 147 L. Ed. 105 (2000) (noting that after the
presumption is rebutted the “sole remaining issue [is] discrimination vel non” (internal
quotation marks omitted)).
Bucalo v. Shelter Island Union Free Sch. Dist., 691 F.3d 119, 128-29 (2d Cir. 2012).
b.
Application to the Facts of this Case
i.
The Plaintiff Cannot Establish a Prima Facie Case
“In order to make out a prima facie case of discriminatory failure to promote, in violation of
Title VII, a plaintiff must show that (1) she is a member of a protected class, (2) she was qualified for
the job for which she applied, (3) she was denied the job, and (4) the denial occurred under
circumstances giving rise to an inference of discrimination on a basis forbidden by Title VII.” Howley
v. Town of Stratford, 217 F.3d 141, 150 (2d Cir. 2000).
In this case, the Court assumes that the Plaintiff, as an African-American and observant
Seventh Day Adventist, belongs to protected racial and religious groups. In the absence of any
contrary evidence, the Court also assumes that he was qualified for the position of detective. Finally,
it is undisputed that the Plaintiff was denied the March 23, 2013 promotion for which he applied.
However, the Court finds that the Plaintiff has not produced any evidence of discriminatory
circumstances to justify presenting that question to a jury.
As noted above, the Plaintiff relies exclusively on unproven allegations in his complaint to
support the proposition that “many,” “various vacancies” in the detective ranks arose during his
participation in the Silver Shield program, and that “many” of these positions went to less
experienced candidates who were white and not Seventh Day Adventists.
However, the record is plainly insufficient to sustain the Plaintiff’s minimal burden of
establishing these facts. As noted above, other than the March 23, 2012 promotional opportunity,
there is no evidence of other detective vacancies for which the Plaintiff was passed over. Nor does he
offer any evidence to support his contention that the Port Authority gave preferential treatment to
13
Caucasian and non-Seventh Day Adventist candidates. In this regard, the Plaintiff fails to set forth
any credible comparator evidence, and his unsupported allegations that (1) “the majority” of police
officers promoted to detective were Caucasian, and (2) there is only one other practicing Seventh
Day Adventist in the Port Authority police department, are patently insufficient to raise a genuine
issue of material fact as to intentional discrimination.
ii.
There is No Evidence of Pretext
Even if the Court assumes that the Plaintiff established a prima facie case, the Port Authority
satisfied its burden of setting forth a legitimate, nondiscriminatory explanation for not promoting
the Plaintiff to detective in March 2012. In particular, according to the uncontroverted affidavit of
Michael Ford, at the first step in the selection process, a computer-generated candidate pool of 160
randomly-selected applicants was created to move forward. The documentary evidence – including
a computer printout of the names randomly-selected at the first stage of this hiring process, as well
as a May 11, 2012 memo from Brian Oberhelm advising the Plaintiff had he had not been among them
– corroborates Ford’s account.
Thus, the burden shifts back to the Plaintiff to produce evidence, not merely allegations, that
the Port Authority’s explanation was not the true reason for failing to promote the Plaintiff, and that
his race and religion were. However, for substantially the same reasons outlined above, the Court
finds that the current record lacks any evidence to support the Plaintiff’s position in that regard.
Accordingly, to the extent that it seeks to dismiss the Plaintiff’s Title VII claims based on
racial and religious discrimination, the Port Authority’s motion for summary judgment is granted.
3.
The Title VI and § 1983 Claims Also Fail as a Matter of Law
Claims of racial and religious discrimination brought under Title VI and § 1983 are also
subject to the McDonnell Douglas analysis. See Back v. Hastings on Hudson Union Free Sch. Dist., 365 F.3d 107,
123 (2d Cir. 2004); Jacques v. Adelphi Univ., No. 10-cv-3076, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 147100, at *6 (E.D.N.Y
Dec. 19, 2011).
14
Thus, for substantially the same reasons that the Plaintiff’s Title VII claims fail, the Court
finds that the Plaintiff’s claims of discrimination under Title VI and § 1983 also fail, as a matter of
law. Accordingly, to the extent that it seeks to dismiss the Plaintiff’s Title VI and § 1983 claims
based on racial and religious discrimination, the Port Authority’s motion for summary judgment is
granted.
D.
The Plaintiff’s Conspiracy Claims under § 1985 and § 1986
As there exists no evidence reflecting an underlying deprivation of the Plaintiff’s civil rights,
to whatever extent he alleges related claims based on a conspiracy under § 1985 and § 1986, those
claims also fail as a matter of law. See King v. City of New York, No. 99-cv-3669, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
23095, at *45 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 30, 2007).
Accordingly, to the extent that it seeks to dismiss the Plaintiff’s conspiracy claims under
§ 1985 and § 1986, the Port Authority’s motion for summary judgment is granted.
E.
The Court Declines to Exercise Jurisdiction Over the Pendent State Law Claim
Finally, having dismissed all of the claims over which it had original jurisdiction, the Court
declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the Plaintiff’s state law claim alleging
discrimination based on “race, religion and perceived disability,” in violation of the NYSHRL. See
28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3); see also Norton v. Town of Islip, 97 F. Supp. 3d 241, 267-68 (E.D.N.Y. 2015)
(“Where, as here, any federal ‘claims are eliminated before trial, the balance of factors to be
considered under the pendent jurisdiction doctrine – judicial economy, convenience, fairness, and
comity – will point toward declining to exercise jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claims”)
(citations omitted); Spiteri v. Russo, No. 12-cv-2780, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 128379, at *235-*237
(E.D.N.Y. Sept. 7, 2013) (collecting cases for the proposition that “[c]ourts routinely decline to
exercise supplemental jurisdiction where the only remaining claims are state law claims . . .”), aff’d,
622 F. App’x 9 (2d Cir. 2015).
15
Accordingly, the Plaintiff’s second cause of action, styled a “pendent New York State action,”
is dismissed without prejudice to refiling in an appropriate forum.
III.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, the Court grants in part the Port Authority’s motion for summary
judgment dismissing the federal claims, over which the Court has original jurisdiction.
Further, the Court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state
law cause of action, which is dismissed without prejudice to refiling in the appropriate forum.
The Clerk of the Court is respectfully directed to close this case.
It is SO ORDERED:
Dated: Central Islip, New York
May 23, 2017
/s/ Arthur D. Spatt________________________
ARTHUR D. SPATT
United States District Judge
16
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?