Hartman v. Retailers & Manufacturing Distribution Marking Service, Inc. et al

Filing 117

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 3/8/13. (ssm)

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By: Gl n E.Con a
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ET AL.

De enda s
f
nt .

Thi c e i be or t c ton t def ndmzs m oto t dimis Fo t r as
s as s f e he our
he e
t ' i ns o s s . r he e ons
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xpl ne
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h
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he nci nt
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t
11
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D i cuss on
s i

A.

C ount O ne,Tw o and T hr e
s
,
e

Ea h oft de e nt hasfld as pa a em otont dim ist co ai unde t
c
he f nda s
ie e r t
i o s s he mpl nt
r he

t r t tt Vigi aW or rsCompenstonAc CC CA' ofest e l i rme f
heo y ha he r ni
ke '
ai
t VW ' fr he xcusve e dy or
)

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,

t ep an if Th VW CA p o i e ,np r,h te o e s s l r me y frij re o d ah
h litf. e
r v d s i a tt a mply e oe e d o nu is r e t
t ac de a ii outofa i t c s oft e oyme 's l e s unde t wo ke '
t
by ci nt rsng
nd n he our e he mpl
nt' ha l xit
r he r rs

c
ompe ai s me.Va.
ns ton che
Codej65. 30
2- 0.Thepa te a eet t i i nti t sc e
ris gr hathe ncde n hi as
consiut sa S ci nt't toc ur e t nt co s ofe oy e .'W he et dia ee
tt e n i de ' ha c r d d he ure mpl m nt'
ac
i
r hey s gr ,
howe r a t s equesi t c tne a es a t ssa i t ltga i i whehe t
ve , nd he ol
ton he our ed ddr s t hi t ge n he ii ton, s
t r he
i de a s f l unde t ta ii outo ' ong oft saut The de e nt a guet ti
nci nt lo als
r he drsng
f pr
he t t e.
f nda s r ha t
doe a t tt pli ifsl ws ti ba r d by t e l i t pr sonsoft VW CA. The
s nd ha he a ntf a ui s re
he xcusviy ovii
he
de e nt cai ,i e f t t tt pl ntf haspld he s fi o t ambi oft VW CA by
f nda s l m n fec, ha he ai if
e r el nt he
t he
a usng t de e n sofc e i ada r wor e r e . l s
cc i he f nda t
r atng
nge ous k nvionm nt n uppor, hedef nda s
tt
e nt

poitt Va.Codej65. 301 whih de l s ciialywih wor a es xua a suls Se ton
n o
2- , c as pe fc l t
kplc e l sa t. ci
65. 301pr vi t te pl s who a e s
2o des ha m oyee
r exua l a s ule i t c s oft i e pl e
ly s a t d n he our e he r m oym nt

aed e dt ha es fee a ij r aiigo to t ee o me t e 'h nau eof(h ij
r e me o v u fr d n nu y rsn u f h mply n wh n t e tr t er
t
e pl e ts t nta l i r as t rs ofs h a s ul. The def nda s a gue t tt
m oym n ubs a i ly nc e es he i k uc s a t'
'
e nt r
ha he

pl i ifhe s l ha cai e t tt naur ofhe e oyme ,by wa oft al ge neglg nc
antf r e f s l m d ha he t e
r mpl
nt
y he le d
ie e
andwr doi oft de e nt , nc ea e t lkelhood ofa s xua as a t Asar s t t y
ong ng he f nda s i r s d he i i
e l s ul.
e ul,he
cont nd t tt pl i ifc nno pr ee out i t V W CA . I c r s ,t pl ntf a s r st t
e ha he a ntf a t oc d s de he
n ont a t he ai i f s e t ha
t as a twas ofa pur l pe s lna ur t tw a c pl t l unr a e t he e pl e ,
he s ul
e y r ona t e ha s om e e y el t d o r m oym nt

t e mptnghe cai fom t wor r sc
hus xe i
r l m r he ke ' ompe ai ba .
ns ton r
l t i m otonst dimi s t de e nt r y prm a iy on t eec es R&T
n her i o s s , he f nda s el i rl
hr as :

l t nt.Lt v. ohns 228Va 249( 984) Pl
nvesme s d. J ,
.
1 . umme v. makCommuniai ,l .
,
r Land r
c tons nc,
*

Th d fn ns moin aefldp ru n t b t 1 b()a d( ()o teF d rl lso CiiP o e ue
e ee da t, to s r i us a t o oh 2()l n b)6 f h e ea Rue f vl r c d r,
e

o i t confi i rzi wihi t Fourh Cicui. Co pa e Gr vesv.Cook, 2 U . Dit LEX I 6794 n. a
w ng o
lctng tlngs t n he
t r t m r a
200 S. s.
S
1 t

*1( . Va Ap i 1 , 0 2 (n lzn wh te tewok rsc mp nainb ra pisu d rRul 1 ()6 )wi
W D. . rl 7 2 0 ) a ay ig eh r h re ' o e sto a p le n e e 2b () t
h
M ie v W ahnco W ok lc .n .2 F. u p 2 3 4, 7 ( D. . 0 4 (nay igsmeu e Rul
l r . s i tn r oa e lc, 98 S p . d 6 3 0 E. Va 2 0 ) a lzn a nd r e
l
1 b( ).Re adesof c r l a l stec utst a cp a1 ftepanifsalg to sa tu a dte
2()1) g r ls whih ue ppi ,h o ri o c e t lo h lit ' le ain s r e n h
e
f
r e ntana ys sr a nst s m e.
elva
l i em i he a

2 5Va 7 ( 9 8 ; n Ly c b r S e m Ba e yv. ret 1 Va 51 ( 93 ) l R&T
3 . 8 1 8 ) a d n h u g ta k r Gart, 61 . 7 1 3 . n
I v sme t, ne lye wa ijze whe d o pn t t efo rd rn terbb r o ab n
n e t n s a mpo e s n l d n r p ig o h l o u ig h o ey f a k
r
whe e s had gone t de i he e pl r sm one 228 V a. t254. The Cour f
r he
o pos t r m oye '
y.
a
t ound t t
ha

b c u er b ey i ars a s cae wihd l rn mo e t aba k teplitf' ij re ao e
e a s o b r s ik so itd t ei ig n y o n ,h anifs nu is r s
ve
outofhe e oyme . I The Cour he dt tt (cai ntsr a pr s nc i abr nc
r mpl
nt d.
t l ha he Cl ma ' egulr e e e n
a h
ba a e r e t ti mor pr t t vi e eofr r e
nk, n nvionm nt ha s e one o he olnc
obbe y, xpos d he t as cilrs
e r o pe a ik

ofasa t' TheCour f t re ane t tdgl ac i n a ie o oft e oyme i t e
s ul.'
turhe xpli d ha tan cde t rs s ut he mpl nt f her

i ac u a c n e to b t e t ecama tsij r a dtec n iin u d rwhc t e
s a s l o n cin ewe n h li n ' nu y n h o dto s n e ih h
empl r quie t wor t beperor d. d.a 25 Clher st ne i an a s ul ca e
oyer e r s he k o
f me '
'I t 2. d- equiie xus n
sa t s
i a i i t r i as
s ppled f he e s howi t tt pr biiy o as a twa a e t d et rbe us of
ng ha he oba lt f s ul s ugm n e ihe ca e

t p c irc aa tro tecama ts o o b c u eo tes e iliblt t a sula s cae
he e ul h r ce f h li n 'j b r e a s f h p ca l i y o sa t so itd
a
a i
wiht envionme ti whi hemus wor ' I at253- ( ai omitd)
t he r n n ch
t k.' d.
54 quotton te .
I Pl me , f m aene pa rde i r drve wa a s ule a s waied i apa ki
n um r a e l ws pe lve y i r s s a td s he t n
r ng
1 tt pik up he r ut sne pa r .Shea lge t the e oymen r gul ry r uie he t
o o c
r o e' ws pe s
le d ha r mpl
t e a l eq r d r o
w a ti t di l lta da r pa ki l ,i r asng herrs ofa t ck. The Supr m e Cour
i n he m y- i nd nge ous r ng ot nc e i
ik
ta
e
t

o Vignah l t tt e o e ' ijlisaos o to h re ly n b c us s eh db e
f r i i ed ha he mply e s n t e r e u f e mpo me t e a e h a e n
r
f c t w a tf a e e ed pe i oftm e a a st t tt e pl rknew w asda r ,
or ed o i or n xt nd
r od i t ie ha he m oye
nge ous
( ri ul l f w om e ' I a 86- 7. The Cour he d t tt he pl ntf a l gest tt
k tc ary or
pa
n. d. t 8
'
t l ha û
t
ai i f le
ha he
e pl rha notc ofa da r usc ton a f ie t pr e tt em pl yee f om s h
m oye d i e
nge o ondii nd a l d o ot c he
o
r
uc
condii . I a 87.
tons ' d. t
'

Li wie i Ga r t, he Co tf ndt ta i de ar eoutoft pl ntf '
ke s , n r et t
ur ou ha n nci nt os
he ai ifs
e pl e w he a t e pa s e er d a w or ac a s t e pl
m oym nt
n r s s er nt e
kpl e nd hot he m oyee i t e The
n he ye.

e oye ha kno oft tes s rspr e f s metme,a t Cour sae t Sll
mpl r d wn he r pase ' esnce or o i nd he
t ttd hatçso

l ast gr paseqrmai dupont pr mieswih t kn edgea ac es nc oft
ong he tes s r e ne
he e s t he owl
nd qui ce e he
f e a a m e ashewaswih apotnta l da r i t u ntlt t ha r of
or m n, r d,
t
e ily nge ous nsr me a iy, he za ds
e pl e w e e i e ed.' G a r t,1 V a 520. The Cour f
m oym nt r ncr as ' r e t 61 .
t ound t t s f c s
hat he e a t

de tae t tt e oye sij i wees fce l rlt t t pli ifse oyme
monsrtd ha he mpl e' n ures r ufiinty eaed o hc antf mpl nt
t e t bls la lt unde t w o ke ' c pe a i n s hem e. See a s Robe s v. he s l,
o s a i h i biiy
r he r r s om ns t o c
lo
r on W t e l

21Va.
App.268,270( 995)(mpl es a hedr fom pl eofwor t emplye ' man
1
e oye hot s
ove r
ac
ko
o rs i

o fc p s ad n e o ho i p oe t i ie tao efo e ly n be a eç x os r t
fie a t a g rus usng rj c'ncd n r s r m mpo me t c us ç p u e o
,
e
gunfr wa heg e byt e r nti whihhewor l; nsv.Suton,3 Va. r
ie s ihtned he nvionme n c
ked' Eva
t 2 Ci.
343( c
Rihmond Ci.Ct 1 (ncde i whihphysca t rpitwa i opel t
r . 994) i i nt n c
i lhea s s mpr ry ouche by
d
pa i n a os f o e oyme whe vitm ' s pe v s wa a r ofpai ntsa nc sbut
te t r e r m mpl
nt n c i s u r ior s wa e
te ' dva e

S ve t l sr uie pli ift co i pr vi ngte t nt t hi '.
c rhees eq rd antf o ntnue o di rame s o m')
ne
The de enda sa g t tt f c sasa l ge i t pl i if sc pl i a ountt a
f
nt r ue ha he a t
le d n he a ntf om a nt m
o
sm ia s e r o. The pl i ifhascl i e t the e pl yer 'ne i nc i hi i a
i l r c na i
a ntf
a m d ha r m o s glge e, n r ng nd

r t ni M a tn,aswela f ii t pr ry mai an as f wor pl c s t ntal i r s
e ai ng ri
l s alng o ope l
nt i a e k a e, ubsa i ly nc ea ed
t rs t tt pl ntf woul bes xualy as a t d.Ass h,t de e nt a g t tt rs
he ik ha he ai if
d
e l s ule
uc he f nda s r ue ha he ik

of sa t sû so it dwi t e vr n n i wh c g eplitflmus wo k, a dt
a sulwa t s cae t he n io me t n ih t anit t r ' n he
a
h
h
'
w or r sc pe a i s a u e ba sa r c r i t t R& T l t e s228 V a.a 253ke ' om ns ton t t t r ny e ove y n or .
nvesm nt
t
54.

Bo l t isco e de e nt 'poi i t tt pl i ifs d notbe a et ha i bo h wa ;
ied o t r , f nda s nt s ha he antf houl
bl o ve t t ys
s ca
he nnotc a m t tt de e nt w e e neglge i c e tng a pl c ofe pl m e t t
l i ha he f nda s r
i nt n r a i
ae
m oy nt ha

i r s d t rs s woul beas a t d,a t n a s cli t tt a s tdi nota ie fom
nc ea e he ik he
d
s ule nd he lo am ha he s aul d
rs r
t na ur ofhe e pl e w ih t e s m e de e nt .
he t e
r m oym nt t hos a
f nda s

Thepli ifco e t tt de e
antf nt nds ha he f ndant a ea yi an e r
s r ppl ng
roneoust t nta rs 'es
t e il ik't t
po

i ta o t a p o raet cu l ik'e t Th ç cua rs 'ts h l st t o a ij r t
nse d f he p r p it ç t a rs 'ts. e l t l ik'e t o d ha f r n n u y o
a
a
pr r y f l w ihi t do a n oft V W CA :
ope l a l t n he m i
he

( h c ustv d n e mu tb p c la t t ewo k a d n tc mmo t
T) e a aie a g r s e e uir o h r n o o n o
t nei bor
he gh hood. I m us be i i nt lt t c r c e oft busne s a no
t
t
nc de a o he ha a t r he i s nd t
i pe
nde nden oft r l ton ofm ase a s r nt l nee notha be f r ee
t he e a i
t r nd e va . t d
ve en o es n
o e c e butafe t e t i mus a a t ha ha is orgi i a rs
r xpe t d,
tr he ven t
t ppe r o ve d t i n n ik
conne t d w ih t e pl e ,a t ha fow e f om t ts r e as a r tonal
c e t he m oym nt nd o ve l d r ha ou c
ai
consequence.
l
d

l o h rwo d ,h VW CA d e n t p yt e c a e eyij r t t c u sa a
n te rste
o s o a pl o a h nd v r n u y ha o c r t

wo k lc .Th p o rf c ,h plitf c n e ds i wheh rt eij r wa p ro l nn tr
r p a e e r pe o us te an if o tn ,s te h n u y s e s na i au e
a t notpa toft d c ua rs ' a s i t d w ih t e pl en .
nd hus
r
he t t l iks' s oc a e t he m oym t
a
The pl ntf poi st c est ti c e r l ctt Vi gi a Supr m e Cou ts c r nt
ai if nt o as ha t ont nds efe he r ni
e
r ' ur e
t nki r ga di t V W CA a s
hi ng e r ng he
nd exua as a t . The pl i ifc ai st tBute v.Sout r
l s uls
a ntf l m ha
lr
he n

Stt Coo rtve l ,270Va.459( )i dipostveoft i tntca e.l Bute ,he
aes peai s nc.
2005 s s ii
he nsa s n lr t

panifwa afmaee l y eo a a rc lu a c o eaiewh ej b rs n i iiis
litf s e l mp o e f n g iut rl o p rtv os o epo sblte
i l d ope ai t ca h r git r s he i a ma ng de i re , ror i i nt y
nc ude
r tng he s e se , c dulng nd ki
lve i s pe f m ng nve or

c ks a ot rge r ldutes J . t46 W hiea wor oneday,amal co- ke tidt
hec , nd he ne a i . #aa 2. l t k
e wor r re o
kishe a ot r s a s ule a batr dhe .J- Thee oye kne t tt asalnthad
s r nd hewie s a td nd te e r #,
mpl r w ha he s ia
pr vi usy be n co c e off ony r pe. Thepl i ifa s a l ged t ton e r i r oc as onst
e o l e nvi t d el
a
a ntf l o le
ha
a le c i
he

a s l n ha t d t pl ntf t thewa t Co da e' ra t he t l ysgotwha he
s aia t d ol he ai if ha
n ed t t 'he nd hat t wa
t
a
t
wa e ' I The pl i if s d t e pl rf neg i nthii and r s
nt d. d.
'
a ntf ue he m oye or lge
rng
e ponde s pe i
at u ror
la lt f t a s ul a ba t r I a 463. The e pl yertl a s ci lpl a i ba undert
i biiy or he s a t nd te y. d. t
m o i ed pe a e n r
he

VW CA.J..Asi t sc s ,t dee n a g t tt pli ifhadalge t tt e oye
-z n hi a e he fnda t r ued ha he antf
l
J
le d ha he mpl r
i eased t rsk ofs
ncr
he i
exualass tby hi ng and r ai ng t ass l and,t ef e,a caus
aul
ri
et ni he aiant
her or
al

c n e to e itd b t e t ep an ifsijlisa dtec n iin u e whc s ewa
o n cin xse ewe n h litf' nt e n h o dto s nd r ih h s
r
r quiedt wor TheCou trj ce t a g ntandsaedt tçg eha c itntyhel
e r o k.
r ee td hat r ume
tt ha çwj ve onsse l d
t w he a as a tdspe s
hat n n s ul i r onalt t e pl e a notdi e t d a ns he a an e pl e o
o he m oye nd
r c e gai t r s
m oye r

b c u eo h re l y n ,h ij r d e n t rs o t ft ee ly n .'Lla 4 6
e a s f e mp o me t te nu y o s o a ie u o h mpo me t' t t 6
' a
( i RihmondNe pa r v.Ha ewood, Va.369,373(995).TheCour f t r
quotng c
ws pes
zl
249
1 )
turhe
e ai d t tbe us t a s ia t s k t o w e e t r ul ofhi a s red pe s la tac i
xpl ne ha ca e he s a l n ' t i ns r he es t
ac
s set
r ona tr ton

t Bul ,' rij iscoul notçarybetac dt he e oyme asac rbui pr mae
o ter'he nure
d A il r e o r mpl nt
f
onti tng oxi t
ca e' J= TheCour o rur t r lngont dee ntsplai ba a alwedt ca e
us .' #.
t ve t ned he ui
he fnda ' e n r nd lo
he s
t m ove f wa d.
o
or r
l a he r c ntc e,Atr e m a v.Log n' Roadho e.I , o.7: 2c 28 201
n not r e e as
ti m
a s
us nc.N
1 v00 4, 2

U. Dit LEXI 1 94( . Va.
S. s.
S 651 W D. Nov.1 201 ( is n, ) t Cour r i he viyon
9, 2) W lo J.,he
teled a l
Bute t de e mi whehe a e oye wa i munefom as tsemmi fom awor a e
lr o t r ne
t r n mpl r s m
r
ui t
ng r
kpl c
s xua as a t The pl i i f w ho w or d f t de e ntasa w air s w a s xua l a s ule
e l s ul.
a ntf ,
ke or he f nda
t es , s e ly s a t d

by a c wor rwho ha ba ke he i o af sor geca ne . 1 a *2. Thepli ifc am e
o- ke
d c d r nt ood t a
bi t d. t
antf l i d
t tt co- or rha a kno n pr nst f vi e a s xua l a s uli be vi . 1 a
ha he w ke d
w
ope iy or ol nt nd e ly s a tve ha or d. t
*3. l pa tc a ,s a l ge t tt m a e co- ke d d s xua l as a t a t r f m al
n ri ul r he le d ha he l
wor r s
ha e ly s uled no he e e

s r r t tma ge e t e aedhi conduc ,a t tt wor a ewaspe a e wih
e ve , ha na m nt olr t
s
t nd ha he kpl c
nne t d t
va i f m sofs xualy ha as i beha o . She f rhe alege t tt û k ac
rous or
e l r sng
vi r'
'
u t r l d ha he t pl e
wor
envionm e pe pe ua ed t t s ofbe vi a a tt st te nt ly 1 d t t s xual
r
nt r t t he ype
ha or nd tiude ha ve ua l e o he e
as a tby he cow o ke . I a * n de ng t d e nt sm o i n t di m i sbr
s ul
r
r r' d. t 3.l nyi he ef nda ' t o o s s oughtunde
'
r
t e l i t pr s onsoft V W CA , he Cour he d t tt a l ga i i t pl ntf s
he xc usviy ovi i
he
t
t l ha he le tons n he ai i f

compli tmihte tbls t the cowor r' asa twa pes lt he (ndt r o edi no
antç g sa ih ha r
ke s sul s rona o r a heefr d t
çrs outofhe e oyme t).... l a *18.
a ie
r mpl n '
' d. t
'

8

l Rih n Ne p pesv. z l o , 4 Va 3 9 (9 ) t eSu rmeCo r o
n c mo d ws a r Ha ewo d 2 9 . 6 1 95 ,h p e
utf
V i g ni a s r le on t pe s lna ur ofa a t k t de dim i s lunde t V W CA . I
r i a lo e id
he r ona t e
n tac o ny s s a
r he
n
t tc s t pl ntf was s
ha a e, he ai i f
exua l a s uled by a m al c or ron nlm e ousoc s ons l a
ly s a t
e ow ke
z r
ca i , d. t

3 5 Th Co r h l ta t eij r ddn taieo to t ep an ifse l y n b c u eiwa
7 . e u t ed h t h nu y i o rs u f h litf mp o me t e a s t s
t a pe s
d
of r onalna ur a no diec ed a i tt r i e s a e pl esori f t r nc oft
t e nd t r t ga ns he ec pi nt s m oye
n urhe a e he

e l y rsbu i e s' I S eas Re me v Na' Sev l d s.nc, 3 Va 4 6( 9 9
mp o e ' sn s . d. e lo a r . tl r . n u .l .2 7 . 6 1 9 )
'
( di t tt VW CA di no ba t pl nifsnegi nc acin a i the e oye
hol ng ha he
d t r he aitf
lge e to gans r mpl r
be a e i hi i t na ur ofe pl e i a f r t e-ent ls or i r as t r s ofr pe
c us l
not ng n he t e
m oym nt n ' niur r a t e nc e es he i k a
u

a f c bl s
nd or i e odom y, a fndi t tk i t as a t i J
' nd i ng ha t ke he s uls n ohnsa Pl me , hem uli e
'
unl
nd um r t
tpl
s
exua a s ulsM s Rea e s f r d w e e pur y pe s
l sa t
. m r uf e e
r
el r onali na u e bot i m otva i a i
n tr , h n
i ton nd n

c n ummain'; r v. t o No f l 1 Va Ap . 6 , 6 ( 9 2 ( o dn t a as x a
os
to ' Car Ci f rok, 5 . p 2 6 2 9 1 9 ) h l ig h t e u l
)
v
a s ul o f m al polc of i e by c e pl e was ' r onala notdie t d aga ns hera a
s a t n e e i e fc r
o- m oye
' s
pe
nd
rce
i t
s n

e oye orbe aus ofhe e pl e t' nd t tSe o e a t polc de rm e di not
mpl e
c e
r m oym n 'a ha smpl ym nt t he i e pa t nt d

s tntal i r s t rs ofs xua a sul Mor nv.MDC Hol ngs l 5 Va.Ci.45,
ubsa ily ncea e he ik e l sa fl; ga
di . nc. 4
r

2 0 W L 1 0 7 , t* ( ifxCi. . a 1 , 0 0 ( od n t a t eVW CA' e cu iiy
00
21 8 9 a 5 Fara r Ct M y 1 2 0 ) h li g h t h
S x lsvt
ba di nota y be us t a s ulswe eç ey pe s li naur ... d no a ie ou oft
r d
ppl ca e he s a t r t l r ona n t e di t rs t he
pur

panifse ly n . . n wgr )(oji a yma n ri f rhea c o t c r o ae
li tf' mpo me t . a d e e n t n n n e n u t rn e f he o p rt
dee ntsbusnes'.
fnda ' i s'
)
A lhough ea h sde ha m ade c peli a gum e s t co tbe i vest tt pl i if s
t
c i
s
om lng r
nt , he ur le
ha he a ntf
c e sat s t be t rpos ton,a l as i t nns oft V igi a Supr m e Cour ' m or r ce
as t e he te
ii t e t n e
he r ni
e
ts
e e nt

te t
r a mentoft is . Asi Bute ml Ha el
he s ue
n lr d z wood, hea tcke hada hit y ofunwa e
t ta r
sor
nt d
s xua ad nc di e t d t w a dst pl i tf . The a t c a a st be t he r ul ofhi
e l va es r c e o r he a n i f
ta k ppe r o t es t
t
s

a sre pe s ata to t gheplitfl'Bute , Va.a 466,a nota hi rlt t
se td ronal trcin o t anif, lr 270
'
t
nd
nyt ng eaed o

9

t c tonsofhe e pl e t
he ondii
r m oym n .Theme e f c t tHa t a a M a tn wor d t t ri
r a t ha rm n nd ri
ke ogehe s

i dequaet sat asamatrof1w t tt pli ifsijuisaos outo he e oy e .
na
t o te
te a ha he antf n re z e
f r mpl m nt
Se CiyofRihmondv. a on,230Va.1 ,1 ( 985 ( di t ttti nots tcintt
e t
c
Brxt
61 64 1 ) hol ng ha d s ufi e o
i
fnd t tt em pl e i w ha br
i ha he
oym nt s
t ough t pa te i o c os pr m iy' t a y t VW CA
t he ri s nt l e oxi t ' o ppl he

ba) Ande ni t deenda ss dha knownt tM a tnpos dada rt t pli if
r.
ve f he f nt houl ve
ha ri e
nge o he antf
bec us ofhi hit y ofs xuala s t t sdoe no a o a ialy ta f m hi pe s
a e
s sor
e
s aul, hi
s t ut m tc l r ns or s r onal
vi e pr die tons a a tac i t t pl i ifi t a c
ol nt e l c i
nd tr ton o he a ntf n o ondii ofe pl ym e f pu pos
ton
m o nt or r es

oft VW CA.Se M or n, 00 W L 1 0879a *5(;lti ce rt tghepli ifs
he
e ga 20
21
t ((1 s la ha t antf j
alegai t the e oyeskne t (heatc r ha a s ule ot wome donotbi
l tons ha r mpl r w hat t ta ke j d s a td her
n
rng
t sxuala s ulsagans he wihi t pur iw oft Ac.)(ii Ha el
he e
s a t i t r t n he ve
he t' ctng z wood,249Va a
'
.t
374- .Her,i i a r n t tt swasnotarndom asa tt tr uledbec us ofçhe
75) e t s ppa e t ha hi
a
sul ha es t
a e i
t
c tonsunde whih t e pl rr quiest wor t bedone' Bute ,270 Va 465,butwa
ondii
r c he m oye e r he k o
,' l r
.
s
i t ad pe s li na ur be w ee t o i vi l w ho ha ne t be c w o ker . A lhough
ns e
r ona n t e t n w ndi dua s
ppe d o
o- r s t

t d e nt a eco r c i notngt tt ca esct d byt pli ifdo note iil dic s
he ef nda s r r e t n i ha he s ie
he antf
xplcty s us

Va Codej65. 301A) mos i vesxua asa t ofoneki ora he a i tnty,
.
2- ( , t nvol e l suls
nd not r nd,mpora l
f us on t per ona na ur oft a t ck a r m ovi t cl i f om t V W CA . Se Bute ,
oc
he s l t e he ta s e
ng he a m r he
e lr

270Va a 464(xplctydecdi nott a es j65. 301be us a a l i unde t ot r
.t
e iil i ng o ddr s 2ca e n nayss r he he,

b o d re cu i i p o iin o t eVW CA wa d s stv i d tr n n ta teijlisdd
r a e x l svt r v so s f h
y
s ipo iie n eemii g h t h nt e i
r
nota ieoutoft pl ntf se oy nt.Thec ti c nce t t lkei Bute ,hi wa
rs
he ai if mpl me )
our s onvi d ha, i n lr t s s
ape s atc t twa ti nowa i frhea eof(hee oyes)busnes a t rf e,.
ronal ta k ha s tn
y n ' t rnc t mpl r' i s nd,heeor
u
. .

c r o f i l be tac t he e pl e asa c r bu i pr m a e ca e.' l a 466.
a m t a r y r ed o r m oym nt
onti tng oxi t us ' d. t
Fur he r ,t c t le s t t a l as w ih r s c t t fr tt e co s t
t nno e he our be i ve ha , t e t t e pe t o he i s hr e unt , he

dee nt'posto woul a hivea il c r ul: mpl r who dii ntys re dj
fnda s iin
d c e n logial es t e oye s
lge l ce ne ob

a l a i nsi C o Fourc e n t s m e i s s a l ge i Count One t ough Thr . For
leg t o n unt
onc r he n
s ue le d n
s
hr
ee
e m pl ,t pl i t f ale st tCE1a R & M w e e ne i nti f ii t c
xa e he a n i f l ge ha
nd
r glge n a lng o onduc ba kgr und
t c o

c ksont i ne hies I s ss h ast sa epr pe l ad e s wihi t fr ttze cot s
hec
her w r . s ue uc
hi r o ry dr s ed t n he is lr e mt
oft c pl nt w hi h wils vi t m o i t di m i s To t e en t tCount Foura
he om ai , c
l ur ve he ton o s s .
he xt t ha
s
nd

Fi r iea uni i s i co e nst c ton oft pa ki l whe et pl ntf wa
ve as
que s ue,t nc r he ondii
he r ng ot r he ai if s
atac d. A s not d, he pl i ifa l gest tt pa ki l w a poory lt i t r aroft
t ke
e t
a ntf le
ha he r ng ot s
l i, n he e
he

buidi a i ahi c i ea e Furhe ,s al ge t tt r wa i dequae s urt o t
l ng, nd n gh rm r a. t r he le s ha he e s na
t ec iy n he
nihtoft at c I s fa i he ge r ne i nc c am , hepl i ifha f us d on t
g
he ta k. n o r m ng r ne al glge e l i t
antf s oc e
he
condii ofhe e pl e t asoppos d t t na ur oft ha pr e ed by M ari
tons
r m oym n ,
e o he t e he nn es nt
tn.
Condii ofe pl e , nc udi t s f t ofa pa ki 1 i whi h an e pl e i f c d
tons m oym nt i l ng he a e y
r ng ot n
c
m oye s or e

t p r , r drcl r ltdt a e ly e s o s c t a t e flwihnteta iina so e
o ak ae ie ty eae o n mpo e ' j b u h h t h y al t i h rd to l c p
o t VW CA.J s a a e o e wh wa ij r db c u ehse o e fie t rme ya
f he
u t s n mply e o s nu e e a s i mply r ald o e d
si r foorw oul be lm ie t r ove y unde t w or r 'c pe a i s he e,t
lppe y l
d i t d o ec r
r he
ke s om ns ton c m he
pl i tf he e cam o pr e i t t
a n i f r l t oce d n or unde a ge r lneg i nc t or t tr t s he viy on t
r
ne a
lge e he y ha es s o a l
he
c tons oft wor a e. See Count ofBuc na Sc
ondii
he
kpl c
y
ha n hoolB d. H or o 35 Va. pp. 28
v. t n,
A
26,

( )( di t tpli if whopr ade e ti t condii ofwokplcese ca be
2001 hol ng ha antfs
ove f c n he
ton
r a tps n
c
ompe ae t o ht VW CA) Hee,hepl ntf i e s nilysai t tt paki l
nstd hr ug he
. r t ai if s s e tal ttng ha he r ng ot
waskde e tve' i t ti w a unr as bl da r us a t tt de e nt f l t t t
s f c i ' n ha t s e ona y nge o , nd ha he f nda s aied o ake he
a opra e s e t c r c i. The c a m s a nce i Co sFoura Fi a e aki t t tof
ppr i t t ps o or e t t
l i dva d n unt
nd ve r
n o ha
a e pl e w ho f l i t e pl r spa ki 1 a m us l y una t nde f ra pr ong
n m oye
als n he m oye ' r ng ot nd
ta
te d o
ol ed
pe i be us t l i no pr ry patole Si pl put t pl ntf s a l ga i i Count
rod ca e he ot s t ope l
r l d. m y , he ai i f le tons n
s

Fol a dFi rlt t tec n iin u d rwhc s ewa f re t p ro m h r o , iet
t n ve eae o h o dto s n e ih h s o c d o e fr e j b wh l he
r
r m a nde oft c pl i f us s on t natte oft ha m pos by M a tn. Thi i a
e i r he om a nt oc e
he tr
he r
ed
ri
ss

12

a ia s(ndt r di notce t ada r wor e r nt,butwhononet ls had
pplc nt a heeby d
rae ngeous k nvionme )
hee s

al mpo e s fra a sulb ac wok rwo dn t n o t et r i nt p o ie b t e
te ly e ufe n sa t y o r e ul o e j y h o tmmu iy r vd d y h
V W CA , hie,o t ot rha e pl r w ho w e e neglge i s r ni a i a sor
w l n he he nd, m oye s
r
i nt n c ee ng pplc nt

ivetg tn c mpan swo de j yt r i nt u d rVa Co ej6 .- 01be a et e
n siaig o lit ul n o o tmmu iy n e . d 52 3
c us h y
c eaed a e r
r t n nvionme whe et S t eoft e oy e 'i l
nt r he s ur
na
he mpl m nt'ncuded a i r a e rs of
n nc e s d ik
s xua a s t The c ta ee wih t pl i ift tt G e r A s e bl c d notha
e l s aul.
our gr s t he a ntf ha he ne al s m y oul
ve

i e
nt ndedt c eae ar ul t ts r wa dsempl r f t i m it kes Se Fox v. c Pr .
o r t es t ha o e r
oye s or her sa . e
Rih ods

Cor ,34Va. r 403,41 ( i hetrCi.Ct 1 (d i iai ( Code.j65. 301
p.
Ci.
0 W nc se r . 994) < mplc ton, Va.
By
2- )
ma si cea t t(e la s ullcl ms. .aeprmaiyt d i o t tlw a not
ke t l r ha s xua s a t ai . r i rl he oman f or a nd
wor rsc
ke ' ompens to 1w.'.
ain a '
)
Las l t tt i de w a per onali na ur i c ys a lz e n f t rw he one
ty, ha he nci nt s s
n t e s r t li ed ve ur he
n

c i r t is i t lghto t pl ntf salegai nsast Count Fo and Fi ,t
onsde s he s ue n he i f he ai if l to
o
s ur
ve he
ge r lne i nc cai s I t e s to oft c
ne a glge e l m . n hos eci ns he ompli ,t pli iff us on da r
ant he antf oc es
nge ous
condii ce ry a i i fom he wor ng c ndii .Fore mpl t pli ifc pl nst t
tons la l rsng r
r ki o tons
xa e, he antf om ai ha
t pa ki l a t f ciiy w a di l lt ha poorvi i lt a w a l t d i t r roft
he r ng ot t he a lt
s m y i, d
s biiy, nd s oca e n he ea
he
buidi i a hi c i e a ea Thes a l ga i f us o t ge a c tons oft w or a e
l ng n gh rm r .
e le tons oc n he ner l ondii
he
kpl c

a hi i hthow t nat eoft ha m s ii t t sc s - M a tn' pe s latac i t
nd ghlg
he ur
he r pectc o hi a e
ri s r ona tr ton o
t pl ntf i dif r ntfom t tadii lnotonsofwor a c tons Ac or ngl t
he ai if s fe e r he r tona i
kpl ce ondii . c di y, he
c tbe i vest tt e us viy pr s ons oft V W CA do nota y t t pe s
our le
ha he xcl i t ovi i
he
ppl o he r onalha m
r
alege i Count One, o,a Thr ,a w ilde t de e n s m otons t di m i s
l dn
s
Tw nd ee nd l ny he f nda t ' i o s s .
B.

C ount Four and Fi
s
ve

Asi cae a
ndi td bove t c tc i r t al ga i i Count Foura Fi t r ie
, he our onsde s he le tons n
s
nd ve o as
a i s t tf l w ihi t a bi oft V W CA . The c tfr tnot t tantm be oft
n s ue ha als t n he m t he
our is es ha
l r he

11

dif r nceofki notdeg e ,a onet ts r nst lnebewe n whe t VW CA a i
fe e
nd
r e nd
ha ha pe he i
t e
n he
pples
a whe i doe not Stt d dif r nty,i Count Fou a Fi t ve y e s nc oft c e
nd
n t s . ae fee l n
s r nd ve, he r s e e he aus
ofa ton t nson t c ton oft w o k a e,a noton t pr da or i e ofa c w or r
c i ur
he ondii
he r pl c nd
he e t y nt nt
o- ke
t aly unr a e t t e pl yee' bus ne s t pl c t tbus nes i l a e ort m a
ot l
el t d o he m o s i s , he a e ha
i s s oc t d, he nneror
m e nsi whi h isbus ne si co uc ed,a i Count O ne t ough Thr e.
a n
c t
i s s nd t s n
s
hr
e

The c ti co nc t tac am t tr ssupo t pr rm ant na eofawor ie
our s nvi ed ha l i ha e t
n he ope i e nc
kst ,
a Co s Four a Fi do,i pr r y c pe abl t
s unt
nd ve
s ope l om ns e mdert V W CA,a no i t t
he
nd t n or .
Acc di l t c t ilgr ntCEl s a R& M ' m otons a t Count Fo . Re ol i of
or ng y, he our w l a
' nd
s i
so
s ur
s uton
CountFi de nds on t a i a lt oft V W CA t St st e a a s a ut y c em pl eror
ve pe
he pplc biiy he
o m at s s t t or ooy
c e pl e. Thi i dicus e i m e a e y bel .
o- m oye
s s s s d m di t l
ow
C.

A pplc lt oft V W CA t Sunst e
i abiiy he
o
at s

H a ng dec ded t tt V W CA ba st ne i nc c ai sr a i t t c tonsof
vi
i
ha he
r he glge e l m el tng o he ondii
t pl i tf e pl e , tbec m e ne es a y t de i w he he Sunst t s d be de m e
he a n i fs m oym nt i
o s c s r o c de
t r
a es houl
e d
a sa ut r co- m pl rorco- m pl e oft pl ntf . I s t ba w oul a y t t
t t o y e oye
e oye
he ai i f f o, he r
d ppl o he
pl ntf cl i i Coun Fi aga ns Sunst t s a wel. Se Va.Code 65. 302.
ai i fs a m n
t ve i t
ae s l e
2-

W he a e oyeesij isaiefom t co tofat r pa t a çohe pa t '
n n mpl ' nure rs r he nduc
hid ry, n st r ry'
unde t W V CA ,s m a r c
r he
he y e overi a t r a ton a i tt tpa t asde f om r ce vi
n o t c i ga ns ha r y i r e i ng
s a ut y c pe a i f om t e pl r Se V a.Code 65. 309. The Supr m e Co tof
t t or om ns ton r he m oye . e
2e
ur

Vigi aha hel t tSll bea t herpa t 'adee ntmus havebe asrnge t t
r ni s d ha 'to n ot
ry, fnda
t
en ta r o he

ta e o c pai n o b sn s i whc t e o e wa e g g dwh nhewa ij r d' Pe k
r d , c u to , r u ie s n ih he mply e s n a e e
s nu e . c
'
v.Sawa StelPr .I .262Va.522,525( ) TheCour ha r c tyhel t ta
f y e ods.nc,
2001.
t s e enl d ha
def
endantr ai a s r
em ns t angert t t ade unl i i peror i a t t i an ess i partof
o he r
ess t s f m ng ask hat s
ental

t e o rsbusne s
he mplye' i s .SeeNa rv.
ppe ABM J nioralSe v .726S. 2d31 31 ( 201
a t i r s,
E.
3, 8 Va. 2)

1
3

(ç hiej nioilsr c ma beconsdee ese il!.veybusne si t Commonwe t
çW l a tra e vies y
i rd s nta pe r i s n he
a1h

fro viu ra o s id sno f lo t t a io ilsr ie a ea e s n il r p e ey
o b o s e s n ,t oe t olw ha j ntra e vc s r n se ta pat - v r
f
e oye' patc a tade busnes orocc ton.)(mphassi orgi ) Thus i i
mpl rs riulr r , i s
upai ' e
'
i n i nal.
,t s
ne es a y t de e m i whe he by pr di is s urt s r c t t f iiy,Sunst t w a
c s r o t r ne
t r
ovi ng t ec iy e vi es o he ac lt
a es s
pe f m i a es e i lpa t t e pl r 'bus nes .
r or ng n s nta r of he m oye s
i s

I Fowlrv.l ' Clani Senr l ,260Va. ( ) t Cour c i rd
n
e ntl e na . nc.
,
421 2000 ,he
t onsdee

i t r h p o so o ce nnga djni ra s r ie i ap r o a (mpo e ')ta e
t he t e r viin f la i n a t il e vc s s a t f n e ly rs r d ,
whe
o
bus ne s o oc upa i ' I a 428. The de e n i t tc s c r c e t pr de cl a ng
i s r c ton. d. t
'
f nda t n ha a e ont a t d o ovi e ni
s r ce a a Sea sr t ll a i l hol ng t tt c e ni c pa w a nota sr nge t
e vi s t
r e ai oc ton. n di ha he l a ng om ny s
ta r o
Sea s b i s , he Cour no ed t tt t o pa tesw o ked t t rt m a nt i t pr m i es
r ' us ne s t
t t ha he w
ri
r
oge he o i a n he e s .

The s r r ponsbiiy f e urng t tt so ewascl n,smula usy conti utng t
y ha ed es i lt or ns i ha he t r
ea i t neo l
rb i o
i a s goa ofm a ng iss or c ea a t a tve,a s f .... I a 428. The Cour
ç r' l
se
ki t t e l n, tr c i nd a e
' d. t
'
t
de e m i t tt c ea ng com pa w aspe f r i pa toft e pl ye ' bus ne s a
t r ned ha he l ni
ny
r o m ng r
he m o r s i s , nd
ba r d t com m o 1 w t 4 a ton.
r e he
n a o1 c i

l Bos rv. n ron,201Va 539( 966 ,heCour lke s bardas tbr
n he J mes
.
1 )t
ti wie re ui oughtby

a ij rde lye o ag n r l o ta tra ans as bc nr co e a e i h ui gs n t a
n nu e mp o e f e ea c nr co g i t u o ta t r ng g d n a ln a d o
c t u ton st l a to t delve i t s nd,t s onta orw a a s i ve i
onsr c i ie. n ddii n o i rng he a
he ubc r ct
s l o nvol d n
s e di i i i t f
pr a ng t ns de he ounda i a ea t es a i h a ba e s x i he de p.The Cour de e m i
ton r o t bls
s i nc s e
t t r ned
t tt scom pr s d d r oft t a ,bus nes oroc upa i 'oft g r c r c or 1 a
ha hi
i e t t he r de
pa
i s
c ton' he ene al ont a t . d. t
542. The e or t s ont a t rw asnota s r nge t t e pl ye ' w or a no a tot r
r f e, he ubc r c o
t a r o he m o r s k nd t n ç he
pa t 'a e bl t s tou s de t V W CA . See a s W ha e v.Dea St elEr c i Co. 1 ,
ry' m na e o ui t i he
lo
ln
n e
e ton . nc.

229Va 1 1 ( 985)(ubc r corhie t erc se be msa aconsnztonst de me
. 64, 66 1
s onta t rd o e t tel a t
t ci ie e d
notasr nge t t wor ofage r c r t )
ta r o he k
neal ontacor.

1
4

I conta t i Nappe ,t Su e Cour ofVigi ahe dt tapl ntf whosi d
n
rs,n
r he pr me
t
r ni l ha
ai if
lppe
a fl i t c
nd el n he omm on a e ofam ulitna ofi ebuidi wm pe mitd t pur ueat t
ra
t-e nt fc
l ng s r te o s
or

a to a ans t ece nn c mpa ywi wh c i c nr ce t pr vd j nt ra s r ie
cin g i t h la ig o n t ih t o ta td o o ie a io il evc s
h
t oug
hr houtt buidi 726 S. 2d a 31 The Cour no e t tt e pl r K as l ,m er l
he l ng.
E. t 9.
t t d ha he m oye , te
ey
l as s e i t buidi and t ti w ast pr ry m a em e c pa who c r t
e ed pac n he l ng,
ha t
he ope t nag nt om ny
ontac ed
wih t c ea ng com pa Furhe ,K a te di notw or w ih t c e ni c pany i a w a
t he l ni
ny. t r s l d
k t he l a ng om
n ny y
a ha no r ponsbiiy t cl a a oft com m o a e ,i udi t l bby w her t
nd d
es
i lt o e n ny he
n r as ncl ng he o
e he

pli ifwasij e l f tKa tee oye weee e sydial dunde t c rc
antf
n urd. n ac, sl mpl es r xprs l s lowe
r he onta t

fo ce nngte ea e s T eCo r h l ta at o g e e yb i s mi h n e j ntra
r m la i h s ra . h u t ed h t lh u h v r usne s g t e d a i il
o
s r c ofone ki orano he ,hema
evies
nd
t rt
nneri whih t es r i swe epr de di not
n c hos e vce r ovi d d
qua iy a d r of' he e pl r sbus nes f pur e oft V W CA .
lf s ' t t m oye '
pa
i s or pos s he
The Co tbe i vest s c e i m o e lke Fow l r Bos r a W ha en t n N a r A s
ur le
hi as s r i
e , he , nd
l ha
ppe .
Sunst t poi sout t pl ntf ha alege t tt t e de e
a es nt
, he ai if s l d ha he hr e f ndan s ope a e t t rt
t
r t d oge he o
e ur pr r s urt m ea ur w e e t ken a t f iiy. Sunst t ha bee pa t t a con r d
ns e ope ec iy
s es r a
t he ac lt
a es s n r y o
ta
w ih CEIa R& M t pr de s urt a t f c lt f rt pas e g ye r . M or i pora l
t
nd
o ovi ec iy t he a iiy o he t i ht a s
e m t nty,
i t Am e
n he
nded Com pl i , he pl i ifa l gest tt t e wer eq ly r s
a nt t
a ntf le
ha he hr e
e ua l e pons bl f r
i e o

mai ai ngt prmie .Thepli ifal est tSunstt wa t t ti c e twih (
nt ni he e ss
antf leg ha
aes s o t n onc r t CEI
ac

a R&M)t dic r gheijdute ...opr des urt a pr ecin t pe s pr di
nd
o shage t r is t ovi ec iy nd ot to o rons ovi ng

lbo a t Fa iiy' ( c e No 5 , t!5 . l as n tst a ç un tts i c nun to wih
a r the cl . Do k t . 2 a 0) t lo o e h ts s ae ,n o j ci n t
t '
s
R& M a CEI t con r ofpa t oft Fa lt a t Pa ki Lo ,' w a çdi c r ng
nd
, ook t ol
r s he ciiy nd he r ng t' and s s s ha gi

R&M a CE1sdutes'i pr di iss r ce .(d.a ! 1 1 ) Ac r ngt t fcsa
nd ' i ' n ovi ng t evi s 1 t ! 68, 69. codi o he a t s
a l ed by t pl i if i s e scl art tSunst t w a per onni a es e i lpa tofCEla
leg
he a ntf , t e m e ha
a es s f ng n s nta r
nd
R& M ' bus ne s i c r yi ou is c r c . Thepl ntf ha a l ge t t t ee c pa es
s i s n a r ng t t onta t
ai i f s le d hat he hr om ni

15

c
oope a e wih onea he i e urng t f clt woul bes e a a s h i c l otbes i
rtd t
not r n ns i he a iiy
d
af , nd s uc t am
ad
t tSunst t w asa Csr nge t t w or ' ho c be s d out i t V W CA . A c r ngl
ha
a es
st a r o he
k' w
an
ue
s de he
co di y,
t cour w ilgr ntSunst t 'm oton t dim i sC o Fi oft c pl i .
he
t l a
a es
i o s s unt ve he om a nt
I .
V

C o us on
ncl i

The c thol t tbec us t a t k a i tt pl i ifw a pe s li na ur ,i i
our ds ha
a e he tac ga ns he a ntf s r ona n t e t s
notco r d by t e l i t pr s onsoft V W CA , nd Cou s One t ough Thr m us g
ve e
he xc us viy ovi i
he
a
nt
hr
ee
to
f w a d. The c tf t rhol t tt ge r lneg i nce cl i s a l ge i Count Fo and
or r
our ur he
ds ha he ne a
lge
a m le d n
s ur
Fi oft c pl n f li i t or na y pur i oft t s ofhar as oc a ed w ih t
ve he om ai t al ns de he di r
v ew
he ype
m s it
t he
w o k a ,a dim i s st ge r lne i nc cl m aga ns CEIa R& M . Fo t s m e
r pl ce nd s s e he ne a glge e ai
i t
nd
r he a
r as and be aus Sunst t s i a s a ut y c e pl e oft pl i if t c t s di m i s
e on,
c e
a e s t t or o- m oye
he a ntf , he our al o s s es
CountFi .
ve

TheClr i die t d t s nd c esoft sme o a
e k s r c e o e opi
hi m r ndum opi on a t ac ompa ng
ni nd he c
nyi
or rt a lc
de o 1 ouns lofr c d.
e
e or

ENTER:Thi R
s

d yo Ma c , 2013.
a f rh

Chi fU nie St t s Di t i tJ e
e
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