Linton v. Hagel

Filing 45

MEMORANDUM OPINION re: Defendant Ashton Carter's Renewed Motion 30 for Summary Judgment. Signed by District Judge Liam O'Grady on 8/18/15. (dper)

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AUG I 8 2015
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Alexandria Division

Sorcna Linton,

Plaintiff,
Civil Action No. l:14-cv-1520

v.

Ashton Carter,

Secretary of Defense
Defendant.

Memorandum Opinion

This matter comes before the Court on Defendant Ashton Carter's Renewed Motion for

Summary Judgment. Dkt. No. 30. The matter has been fully briefed by the parties and the Court
heard oral argument on July 31, 2015. For the reasons set forth below, the motion will be
denied.

I.

Background

This case arises out of an employment relationship between Plaintiff Sorena Linton and

Defendant Ashton Carter, in his official capacity as United States Secretary of Defense on behalf

of the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity ("DoDEA").2 In June 2008, Linton
applied for a teaching position at one of Defendant's schools. Based on her "dream" record and
multiple teaching certifications, she was hired to work as a teacher at Defendant's school on a

military base in Incirlik, Turkey. Eddings Dep. 32:6-33:21. When Linton was hired, her race

Because this matter is before the Court on Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment, the facts are presented in
the light most favorable to the plaintiff.

2Another entity frequently referred to by the parties, the Department ofDefense Dependents Schools ("DoDDS"),
appears to be under the umbrella of the DoDEA and represents its overseas component. DoDDS, U.S. DEPARTMENT
of Defense EDUCATION Activity, http://www.dodea.edu/aboutDoDEA/DoDDS.cfm (last visited August 6, 2015).
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