Wheeler v. Commonwealth Of Virginia et al

Filing 138

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Senior Judge Glen E. Conrad on 2/20/2019. (ck)

CL
ERK' OFFI U. DI .
S
CE S. ST COURT
AT ROANOKE,
VA
' FI
LED

I TH E UNI
N
TED STA TES DISTRI COURT
CT
FOR THE W ESTERN DI
STRI OF V I N I
CT
RGI A
ROAN OKE DI I ON
V SI

FEB 22 2 1
29
JULI C UDL LERK
A
EY

BY:

EP

RK

TRACEY W HEELER,

)
)
Pl ntf ,
ai if
)
(
)
)
)
COM M ON W EALTH oy VI NI : g. )
RGI A,1 J,
)
Dee a s
fnd nt.
)

Ci lA cton N o.7: 7CV00337
vi i
1
M EM O R AND UM O PINION
By:H on.Gl E.Conr
en
ad
Se orUnie S a esDi ti tJ e
ni
td tt
src udg

Tr ce W he l f l d t s a to a ns t Co m onwe t o V ig ni t Vigi a
a y
e er ie hi c i n gai t he m
a1h f r i a, he r ni
D eparm ent of A l
t
coholc Bever Cont ol t V igi a A l
i
age
r , he r ni coholc Be r Contol B oar
i ve age
r
d

(ole tvel $
c lci y,( ',àn Da dChily. Whe e a srscai ofhosiewo ke vionme t
ABC' d vi rse
)
elr se t l ms
tl r n r n

a d rtl t n u d rTil VI o t eCii RihsAc o 1 6 ( t Vi' a an tABC,a d
n eai i n e te I f h vl g t t f 9 4 t l 1' g is
ao
Tie )
n
r at cl m s of as t a ba t y agai Chrsl The cas i pr enty bef e t cour on
el ed ai
saul nd ter
nst i ey.
e s es l
or he
t

ABC' moin f r smmay j d me tl Th c u t h l a h a ig o te moin va
S to o u r n g n .
e o r ed
e rn n h
to i
t econf ence on Januar 23,201 The m oton has been f l bref and i now rpe f
el
er
y
9.
i
uly i ed
s
i or

r vi w . Fort e f l w i r a ons t m oto w ilbe gr n e i pa ta d nid i pa t
e e
h olo ng e s , he i n l
a t d n r nd e e n r .
Backeround

The f l w i f c s a e eihe u s e or pr s n e i t lg m os f vor bl t
olo ng a t r t r ndiput d
e e t d n he i ht
t a a e o

W he lr Se Andes v.Li ry Lobb I e 477 U. 24 255 ( 98 (mpha i ng t t
ee. e
ron
bet
v, nc,
S. 2,
1 6) e
szi ha

Sgl e d nc oft no
lthe vie e he nmova ti t bebeive a alusiibl i ee e aet. drwn
n so
le d, nd 1j tfa e nfrnc s r obe a
i ( r fvor'whe r i onamotonfrs mmayj men)
n hej a , n ulng
'
i o u r udg t.
On June 9, 2014, ABC hied W heel t w or as a par-i e s es as at John
r
er o
k
ttm al
soci e.

Si eonDe l!5,DktNo.11 1
nglt
c.(
.
3- .Whe e wasuli tl asine t ABC St eNo.2 i
elr
tmaey sg d o
or
29 n
1 rse ddn t v fr u r j d n o tecamsa anthm.
Chily i o mo e o s mmay u gme t n h li g is i

Bo a k, V igi a W he l r D e l Dkt N o. 1 1 A f w w e ks a t r W he e be n
ns c
r ni .
ee
p. 0, .
20- .
e
e fe
elr ga
w or ng att Bons l i $ sor m anager J f St t,br herankl St t D ep.
ki
he
ack ocaton, he t e
, ennier uts oke
e. uts
12,D kt N o.1 3. W hie St t w as on l
.
20l uts
eave,ot ABC empl
her
oyees,i udi D a d Chrsl
ncl ng vi
i ey,

f le i f St t . I 1 -1
lld n or uts d. 2 3.
At t tm e of W heel s hii Chrsey w or as a ir i ass sant m anager'
he i
er' rng,
il
ked
telef it
.'

Si lt Dec.! 6. I t tspevioy po iin,Chrse woul oves eapatc a soe'
ngeon l
n ha u r s r sto
ily
d re
riulr tr s
ope a i w hie t m a ge ora s s a tm a ge wa un vaia e l One ofCh il y' çc e
r tons l he na r s it n na r s a l bl . d.
rs e s t or
r s i iii s ' was ç t f i m a a m en , w hi h i ude a ss i sor m an ge s wih
e pons b lte '
t a fng n ge t'
s
' c ncl d s itng t e
a r t
ç a nt ni a pr pe l s a f d o r ton of w a e e pl e ' a G e r tng, s r e ng
ç i ai ng
m
o ry t f e pe a i
g m oye s' nd t c uii
r
c e ni

a iainsa itr iwi 'ob a ia t.Emplye Wor Pr ie 5 DktNo.1 20;se
pplc to nd ne ve ng'j pplc ns
o e k ofl , .
20- e
as i 1(itngChrse spostonlve a çupevior).
lo d. lsi
ily' ii e l s t r s '
s
W heel and Chr sey wor t herf t fr ttm e a t Bonsack s or i Jul of
er
il
ked oget or he i s i t he
t e n y

201 W he e c a m s t t Chrs e w a d xte e y ti tto ' f o t s a t of t i s f
4.
el r l i ha
i l y s l r m l lra i us' r m he t r
e
he r hit
W he l rD e 1
e e p. 24. For i t nc Chrs e c
nsa e, il y omm e t d on W h el r s a ta tve s a t d he
ne
e e ' tr c i nes nd ol r
t t s e E o d pr ba y ne be i e e t d i s e
ha h E ul o bl ver
w
nt r s e n om one lke hi . I 21 Chrs e a s
i
m ' d. 4.
'
ily lo
r c m m e d t tc t e s u e W he e ' c c utlne b c us s w a ç te l ki ' 1
eo
nde ha usom r s
elr s he ko i e a e he s s tr oo ng. d.
be
'
A fe t y di c s t f c t t sa ng s ilc l ad t ba k pa n,Ch il y a s d W he l r
t r he s us ed he a t ha t ndi tl an e o c i
r s e dvie
ee
t he w asan Eexper m ass e.' 1 38.
hat'
E
t
eus ' d.

Ch il y pr e de t m a l w d s xua r m a ks a a va e t r W he e . Prort
r se oc e d o ke e
e l e r nd d nc s owa d
el r i o
t e end of t i s f ,Chrs e t d W he l r t the t e Ka a Su r ' a G t o a on
h
he r hit
i l y ol
e e ha
t w m
kn
t a' nd s
wen n nd
ab t b t s x postons' 1 1 1 4. A fe cl i t sor , Chrs e a W he e
out he es e
ii .z d. 22, 2
'
tr osng he t e
i l y nd
el r
e e e a ba k r m ,w he e t y w e e r s ns bl f c o ki out on a c
nt r d
c oo
r he
r e po i e or l c ng
omput r W he
e.
n
W he l r t ne a ound a t r c oc ng out Ch il y w a s a n rghtbe nd he . 1 3 He
e e ur d r
fe l ki
, r se
s t ndi g i
hi
r d. 7.

2<'eKa S tao Vas y na( a wiey dsrb td b o cn il d srbn a lr n mb ro
sh ma ur f tlaa i ) d l itiue o k a ddy eciig age u e f
'
l
s
sx a p st n . UntdSae v Thrvs v n(7 P oo rn s4 2U.. 6 , 6 (9 1.
e u l o io s' i tts . lt-e e 3 ) h tca h , 0 S 3 3 3 7 1 7 )
i ' e
2

pat ane ry d ka die td Whe e t stdown.J Chrse t nbe nt masag a
ted ab es nd rce
elr o i
#. ily he ga o s e nd
pul on W h l r s fnge s 1 41
l
ee e ' i r . d. -42. W hie doi s Chrs e s f c w a (r d a d s e t '
l
ng o, il y' a e s Ce n w a yv
'
and he w as Gbr hi ver har 'and m oani
' eat ng y d'
ng. l 197-98. l r pons W heel abr l
d.
n es e,
er upty

s od u a pule h r ha f o Chrs e s gr s I 44, 1 -99. Be us Chrs e w a
t d p nd l d e nd r m
i l y' a p. d.
98
ca e
ily s
bl ng her pat a appear unw ilng t lt her t l
ocki
h nd
ed
li o e
o eave,W heel had t physi l S
er
o
caly s
push

pa thi ' i or rt e tt r . 1 44,1 1 She t n r ti ve he pu s a waie b
s m ' n de o xi he oom d.
29, 99.
he e re d r r e nd t d y
t f on dooroft s o e un i t e alr s t m w a dia ed. A s s n a s wa a e t e t
he r t
he t r tl h a m ys e
s s bl
oo s he s bl o xi

t so e,W he e we sr gh t he ve ce. 1 45. By t a poik W he lr f t I l
he t r
elr nt tai t o r hil d.
ht n
ee el d '
ve y

panik ' ndha ç ti g r mouh. l 46.
c y'a
dç
vomi n hej t ' d.
'
Att tm e,and a al tm es r evantt t scase,ABC had a Ezer t er
hat i
t li
el
o hi
E o ol ance'w or ace
' kpl

h r s ntpolc Pa rc Ca pbe lD e 37,D k .N o.1 - Faih Ri ha ds De 40,Dl
a as me
i y. ti k m l p.
t
20 2; t c r on p.
d.
N o. 1 1
20- 3. The wrte polc ls e l e r optons'f r pori ha a s e , i u ng
it n i y it d G ve al i ' or e tng r s m nt ncl di
s
s
peaki t any s vior:
ng o
uper s

1 A n e o e m a c os t r r a l g tonsofw or a e
.
mpl ye
y ho e o epo t le a i
kpl c
har m entt any agency,m anager s vi ,orDi son
ass
o
, uper sor
vi i
D ie t t tt y f e c f ra er pori t
r c or ha he e l om o t bl e tng o.
2. A n e pl e m a a s c
m oye
y l o hoos t r po t r c l t t e D ie t
e o e r die ty o h r c or
ofHum an Resour ort Em pl
ces he
oyee Rel i M anager
atons
.

Haa s n Polc 1 Dkt No. 1 3- . The polc f t r prvi d t t tr a ges or
rsme t iy , .
1 1
iy urhe o de ha tmlna r
s r s sr c vi co pl nt ofwor pl c ha as m e ha a du y t r por a l ga i ' a d
upe vi or e ei ng m ai s
k a e r s nt ve
t o e t le tons' n
t a t y ç us no iy t i D i son Die t r w ihi 24 hour orby c os o bus ne s t ne t
h t he ç t tf he r vi i
m
rco t n
s
l e f i s he x
day.' 1 at1-2.
' d.
W heel s evi
er' dence i cat t s r t Chrsl s of endi conductt se al
ndi es hat he epored
i ey' f ng
o ver
i vi s i s vior r es,i udi St t,t s or m anager St t Dep.13. W heel
ndi dual n uper s y ol ncl ng uts he t e
. uts
er

ad s d St t a tt i i ntt toc ured i t ba k r om oft s or a e asz t t
vi e uts bou he nc de ha c r n he c o
he t e nd mph i ed ha
shew oul notf com f t ew or ng w ih Chrsl a n:
d
eel
orabl
ki
t
i ey gai
3

g t d Sut t tChrse wasveyi rai ,t thec ont
1 ol tts ha ily)
r littous ha
ame o
m e,t he wasver cl e t m e i s
hat
y os o
n peaki t 1di tha a
ng, hat dn' ve ny
s c 1t d he t tIw a unc f r a e a utw o ki w ih hi .
pa e. ol r ha
s om o t bl bo
r ng t m
1t d h rt twhe we cos d a wewe e Gnihi t the ha
ol e ha
n
l e nd
r
s ng, ha
d
t d m e m y m oney wass tand t he had m e ston t des
ol
hor
hat
i
he k.

I t d he t t h pa t d t de k f m e t s tdo n t r on t
ol r ha e te he s or
o i w he e
he
s t t the be n t ty t m a s ge my ha . lt d he he was
po , ha
ga o r o s a
nds ol r
ver s eat He seem ed t be m aki a noi and l had t pus
y w y.
o
ng
se
o h
pa thi , nd 1n ve w a ed t w o k wih hi a i
s m a
e r nt o r t m ga n.
W hçel D ep.2* 27.
er

I i undiput d t a S u t di notr por W h l r s a l ga i ns ofw o kpl c ha a s e
ts
s e h t t ts d
e t ee e ' le to
r a e r s m nt
t herD i si D iect ,t D iect ofH um an Res ces,ort Em pl
o
vi on r or he r or
our
he
oyee Rel i M anager,
atons

a rquie bytehaas n polc nse d,Sut S i y ma es eg he lra Chrse
s e rd h rsme t iy.l ta tts t mpl d ur W ee nd ily)
s
di not w or t her'att Bons l i
d
k oget ' he
ack ocaton. St t D e 15. A s a r t no di plnar
uts p.
esul,
sci i y
acton wast
i
aken a ns Chril att tm e.
gai t
sey hat i
W heel di not wor w ih Chrsl agai f a oxi a el t year and s çwas
er d
k t
i ey
n or ppr m t y wo
s
he ç

o y w ih t t' W h el rD e 8 How e r t e pl n if se de ce i c t s t tChrs e alo
ka t ha .
' e e p. 2.
ve , h ai tf ' vi n ndi a e ha
i ly s
e g d i i p op it c uc w ih o he w o e Se se c. Gai Dolm a De 1 -1 D l
nga e n na pr r a e ond t t t r m n. e . , l l n p. 6 7, d

No.1 - (< ha se c t r c an. 1h s e c t r la t sor be a eof
206 ç1 ve e n usomes ompli
ave e n usomes e ve he t e c us
( ily')...a e svefitng. se as i a 21( srbi a oc son on whih t
Chrse s
ggrsi lri ' e lo d. t deci ng n cai
);
c he
de
pone tobs r d Ch i l y gi ng a t rf m al e pl ye a m as ag w hie t e pl ye w a
n
e ve
r se vi no he e e m o e
s e l he m o e s

l ng on atbl i t ba k r m) TheEc ns ns ' a ng ma geswa t tnoneoft m
yi
a e n he c oo .
'o e us' mo
na r s ha
he
want Chrsly w or ng i t rsor St t D ep.10-11.
ed i e
ki n hei t es. uts
On Apri 8 and 9,2016,W heel and Chrsey w er s
l
er
il
e chedul t w or t her att
ed o
k oget
he

Bo a k s or . W h l rD e 1 . W h el r l a ne a a o tm e f om a he e o t a
ns c t e
ee e p. 01
e e e r d he d f i r
not r mpl yee h t

s ea Chrse woul b wor ngt t r Alho W he lrG ne t j tc l i a mis
h nd ily
d e ki ogehe. t ugh ee l td o us aln nd s
wa
payi's uli at y deci t r
' he tm el
ded o eportf w or snce ot empl
or k i
her
oyeeswoul bepr ent 1
d
es . d.

4

On t e fr t da t a t y w e e a s gn d t w o k t e he ,W he e ' e f l s t i e
h i s y h t he
r s i e o r og t r
el r s f o' o gnor
t

Ch ily a a d ha ng a y c nt twil hi pr ved uns c sul Chrse a o ch d
rse nd voi vi n o ac tl m o
uc esf .
ily ppr a e
W he e ç i t o ft ba ' a be an hum m i û h Le ' Tal Abou Se s ' I 1 -0
el r & gh f he t' nd g
r
ng d e ts k
t
t x ong. d. 01 2.
'

He t n poke W he e i he sd a ba k whie s wa u oa ng c s s of lquo ,a
he
d
elr n r ies nd c
l he s nl di a e
i r nd

E le hi goae downa lc e qhi lps' ns waledbyhi l 1 202.Chrse
d ldl s te
pul
nd ikgd s i 'whe he k
m. d. 02,
ily
as conee Wheee i t sor svea tme a s i tl oh 1,M s W he lr c wih
lo r rd
lr n he t e e rl i s nd ad, soq a . ee, ome t
m e,ooh l 1 ' l 102,215.
a a.' d.

Ats me poitt ne tda Chrse t d Whe e t th f oul wrt ( r u rgh
o
n he x y, ily ol
elr ha e f d ie hej p i t
c
now . l 208. W he W he l r a ke w h Chrs e s i t t s was ç h i t o m uc
' d.
'
n
e e s d y, i l y a d ha he
E ow ng o
s
h

ce v g 'b th wa S no ig i' l 2 9 l r s o s, h ee plc do eo t es aes
la a e' u e s ç j yl l t'L. 0 . n e p n e W e lr a e n f h we tr
e
n . s
s w a we i a ou h r s de s lke a s wl I Chrs e t n Gl u d a s i 1 c n
he s arng r nd e houl r i
ha . d.
il y he da ghe nd a d, a
silw rt yo up;no you' e c rng u yo na e b dge. I A s t e ni pr e s d,
tl ie u
w
r ove i p ur m a ' d.
'
he ve ng ogr s e
Chrsl becam e Em or agiat ' l 1 l or t avoi ent ng t r arar oft s or
i ey
E e t ed.' d. 36. n der o
d eri he e ea he t e

w he et e pl e r s r m w a l ca e W h l rus t e r sr
r he m oye e t oo
s o t d, ee e ed h e toom a a nei hborng b i s .
t
g
i us ne s
l .
d.

The f l w i da W he e w a r s i e f ope ng t Bo ac s or w ih N or
olo ng y,
el r s e ponsbl or ni he ns k t e t
ma

Forne L. 1 W he lrbe n c yi ast y e e e t so e a d s t dForne wha ha
t y. ds 03.
u
ee ga r ng he ntr d he t r , n he ol t y t d
ha ne whie wor ng wih Chrse l Forne c le St ts who t en c nt ce Parc
ppe d l
ki
t
ily. d. t y ald u t,
h o a td tik
Cam pbel,t r onalm anager. l A tCam pbel' diecton,St t as W heel t pr e a
l he egi
d.
ls r i
uts ked
er o epar

w rte sa e e . l he sa e t W h l r d c i d t i i ntt a oc ur e i t ba k
it n t t m nt n r t t men , ee e es rbe he nc de h t c r d n he c
r
oom oft Bons s or i t s m er of 201 as w el as herm or r
he
ack t e n he um
4,
l
e ecenti er tons w ih
nt ac i
t
Chrsey. W heel Handwrit St t ent D kt.N o.120il
er
ten a em ,
21. Cam pbel s equenty diec ed
l ubs
l r t
W heel t s
er o peak w ih Faih Ri ds and Cr t St phenson f om A BC' hum an r our
t
t char on
ys al e
r
S
es ces
deparm ent W heel D e 86.
t .
er p.
5

On Aprl25 a 26,201 Riha ds a Stphe on ta ld t Roa ke t co t
i
nd
6, c r on nd e ns r vee o no o nduc
i ervi as par of t i tga i of W heel s com pl nt They i er ew ed W heel
nt ews
t
he nves i ton
er'
ai .
nt vi
er,

Chr se a ei t ot r ABC e pl e . On Augus 1 201 Ri ha ds a d St phe o
i l y, nd gh he
m oye s
t 8, 6, c r on n e ns n
i s d a r po ts m m a i ng t r s t of t i s i a i
s ue
e r u
rzi he e uls
he nve tg ton. I si a i n Re t Si e o
nve tg to
por, ngl t n
D ecl Ex.F,Dkt N o.113-1.
.
.
I t i tgaton r t R i dson and St
n he nves i i epor, char
ephens not t Chrs e had adm it
on ed hat il y
ted

t gl ngW he lramas gei 201 L. 8.Be a eChrse wa aS mbe ofma ge n '
o vi
ee
sa n 4. d
a
c us
ily s t
me r
na me t'
R i ha ds a St phe on em phaszed t Chrsl (s d have know n t t i w as not
c r on nd e ns
i
hat
i ey ûhoul
ha t

a c ptbl t gi a e oye ama sge'a t theçe rie e rmey poo j me 'i
c e a e o ve n mpl e sa ' nd ha Execsd xte l r udg nt'n
doi so. ld. W ih r pectt t m or r
ng
t es
o he
e ecentalegatons ofs
l i
exualhar m ent Ri dson and
ass
, char

St phe on r po t t a W h l r s cl i s t e e no c r bo a e by a y of t e pl ye
e ns e red h t ee e ' a m t r t or o r t d
w
n
he m o es
i er ewed.' I Ri ds and St
nt vi
' d. char on
ephens uli a el r
on tm t y ecom m ended t Chrsly under
hat i e
go

co elng,a polc r viw ,a m a t y tai n a d t t( ve y e f t...b m a t ke p
uns i
i y e e nd nda or r ni g, n ha t r f or
e
e de o e
M s.W heel and M r Chrsey f om w or ng t t .' I 9.
er
. il r
ki oge her' d.
On N ovem ber 14,2016,Campbel i ued Chrsl a writ counselng m em or
l ss
i ey
ten
i
andum f
or
faii t f l t har m entpolcy. Chr sey Couns i M em .2,Dkt N o.120- Chrsl
lng o olow he ass
i
il
elng
.
19. i ey

s e nty atnde ac s lngs si wihArra M ors a a j tfc t me ra
ubsque l te d oun ei eson t tinna ri, n dunc a uly mbe t
J Sa ge n Re d Co muniy Cole e. Chrs e t s ii d d i hi de ii n t t t
. 'r a t ynol s m
t
lg
i l y e tfe urng s posto ha he

c eln ssi was(hecos tt ng ( jgott sxua haa s nttai ng, bu t thedi
ouns ig e son
s l es hi he
t
o e l rsme r ni ' t ha
'
d
notçl n anyt ng abouts
Gear
hi
exualhar sm ent i t m eetng.' Chrsl Dep.42,Dkt N o.1
as
n hat
i '
i ey
.
20-

1l I arpo tis d t Ri ads n a Ca
. n e r sue o ch r o nd mpbel Mori rc
l, rs e omme e t tCh ily çglek
nd d ha rse tse

prf sonalc elng fr hi a r ma ge nt is ' a d çl n r n cic tnc s
oesi
ouns i o s nge na me sues' n Gulde o rumsa e
adm i s erany m or m as
nit
e sageswhie a wor ' M or sRe 2,Dkt N o.1 32.
l t k.'
ri port
.
20-

Ats m e poi tt ti no c e rf om t r c d,Chrs e be a e t pe m a nta s s a
o
n ha s t l a r he e or
i l y c m he r ne s it nt
m an ge ofa A BC sor i Bl c bur V igi a. Chrs e D e 28 I M a of201 Chrs e
a r n
t e n a ks g, r ni
i l y p. . n y
7, i l y
ds xua l ha as e ' a f m a e e o a t Bl c b g s or . W rte N otce ofTe m i ton
le ly r s d ' e l mpl yee t he a ks ur t e
itn
i
r na i
1 Dkt N o.11 1 Chrs e s e o e w a t r i t on J 7, 7. l
, .
3- . i l y' mpl ym nt s e m na ed
une 201 d.
W heel Gl t i t acton agai t A BC and Chrsl on Jul 18, 2017, afer
er ed he ns ant i
ns
i ey
y
t

e us i he a i s r tve r m e e w ih t e Equa Empl ym e Oppo t t Co m is on
xha tng r dm nit a i e di s t h
l
o nt
runiy m s i

(d
G
EEOC' . Att ttme,W h elrwa sile o d by ABC. l De e ro 201 ABC
'
)
ha i
e e s tl mplye
n c mbe f 7,
l ar d t a W h l rha be n c r d wih s itng i N o m be of201 Ri ha ds De
e ne h t ee e d e ha ge t hoplfi n ve r
4. c r on p.
121,Dkt N o.120- ABC obt ned t i m aton f om an out de com pany t had been
.
13.
ai he nfor i r
si
hat

hie t c nduc a ba kgr und c c on M s W he l r l 1 - 23.Re or f om Roa oke Ciy
rd o o
t c o
he k
.
e e . d. 21
c ds r
n
t
Ge r lDit i tCour i i a e t a W he l r e t r d a pl ofguit t t c r d of e e, ha
ne a s rc
t nd c t h t
ee n e e
ea
ly o he ha ge f ns t t

s erc ie aj is ne c o 3 d y wi 2 d y s s e d d a dta s ewa a sse atn
h e ev d al e tn e f 0 a s t 6 a s u p n e , n h t h s se sd i e
h
and cour cos s. V a.U nior Sum m ons,D l N o.11 8;se al Roanoke Ciy Gener D iti t
t t
f m
d.
3- e so
t
al sr c
Cour Onlne Case l or aton Sys em , Cas N o. G C14029591 00, avaiabl a
t
i
nf m i
t
e
l e t

h : e ppsc
ûps/ a .oulss a e. . / ou .
/
.t t va usgdc ds
0n Januar 1 2018,ABC t m i t W heel ' empl ent. Chas Thur an, who
y 4,
er na ed
er s
oym
e
m
had r aced Cam pbel as r onalm anager ari at t f l i basi fort decii i a
epl
l egi
, tcul ed he olow ng
s
he
son n

w rte co elng m e or nd :d s W he e pe f m ed a il ga a tt a i vol t ef s
i n uns i
l
m a um 1 .
M
elr r or
n le l c h t n ved h t o
s c d no c tnue e pl e t w ih ABC. The e i a rs o e pos e t t A ge y t
he oul t on i
m oym n t
r s i k f x ur o he
nc o
c ntnue t ha he w o k i aposton t tr uie c s ha i ' W he l Couns i M e .
o i o ve r r n
ii ha eq r s a h ndlng.
'
e er
elng m

1 ji eo De .Ex. DktNo.11 - ;seas W a Empl eHa
, ngltn cl L, .
3 1 e lo ge
oye ndboo 7,Si eo De .
k ngltn cl

Ex. , . 11 1(G mplsofbe vir whi ma rs ti rmova,ma i l ,bu ae
J DktNo. 3- Exa e
ha o, ch y eul n e
l y ncude t r

notlmie t ...(ji nalc ci f ilga c c o curi o oroft j ta
i td o
crmi onvitons or le l ondu t c rng n f he ob h t
ce ry ae r ae t j b pefr nce ....) Si e Jnuay 1 201 a las ei tot r
lal r eltd o o roma
' . nc a r , 4, t e t gh he
'
7

i yi l ha be n t nuia e b ABC a tr b ng c ced ofa f o orm ide a
pdi duas ve e e n t d y
fe ei onvit
elny
s me nor

ofe e.Si eonDe . 1
fns nglt
cl! 6.
ProceduralH it
s orv

W heel t ed an am ended com pl nt on Febr y 23,2018. l Count 1oft am ended
er sl
ai
uar
n
he

c an,W h lrcai t ts wa s jce t a s x l hosie wok e rnme i
omplit eee l ms ha he s ube td o e ualy tl r nvio nt n
vi aton of Til VI . I Count I W heel r ass s cl m s of assaul and bate agai
ol i
te 1 n
1,
e
ert ai
t
try
nst
Chrsl I Count1 1 W heel cl m s t A BC t r i ed her em pl ent i r alaton f
i ey. n
1,
er ai hat
e m nat
oym
n et i i or

en gi i a tviy pr t c e b Til VI .
ga ng n c i t o e t d y te I

OnOct e 23,201 ABC move frs mmayj
ob r
8,
d o u r udgme to Cou sla 11 Thec t
n n nt nd 1.
our
hel ahe i on t m o i on J nua y 23, 9. The m o i n ha be n f l bre e a i rpe
d
arng
he ton
a r
201
to s e uly i f d nd s i
f r vi w .
or e e
St
andards ofR e e
vi w

Rul 56 o t Fe rlRul ofCi lPr e ur pr de t tEgl c ts l gan
e f he dea es
vi oc d e ovi s ha dthe our hal r t
s
ummayj me i t mo nts owst tt r i noge nediput ast a maei f t
r udg nt f he va h ha hee s
nui s e o ny tral ac
an t mo nti e tte t j dgme a amatroflw. Fe R.Ci P.5 a. I de i ng
d he va s nild o u nt s te a ' d. v. 6() n cdi
'
whehe t ga a moto f s
t r o rnt
in or ummay j
r udgme ,t c ur mus ç e j t fcs a
nt he o t t t wl he a t nd
vi
r a o e i e e c dr wn t r f om i t lg m os f vo a e t t no ovi pa t '
e s nabl nf r n es a
he e r
n he i ht
t a r bl o he nm ng ry.
'

W ooladv.Gala r 71 F. 8 8 ( h Ci.201 ) Towihsa as
lr
lche, 2 3d 65, 73 4t r 3 .
t tnd ummayj gme
r ud nt
moton,t non- va tmus prduc s fce e d nc fom whih ara o ej y c d
i hç mo n
t o e ufiint vie e r
c e s nabl ur oul
r t r a ve di ti he f vo .Ande s 477 U . a 248
eun
r c n ra r
r on,
S.t .
Di si
scus on
1
.

H ostl W ork Envi
ie
ronm ent

Til V1 prhiis an e o r fom (dici nagngj a i t an i vi lwih
te 1 o bt
mplye r t srmi ti gans y ndi dua t
rs c t ( r c
epe t o he) ompe ai tr ,c tons orprvie esofe o nt be a eofs h
nston, ems ondii , i lg
mplyme , c us
uc
8

i vi als...sx. 42U. C.j20 - a () Si ea e oye swoken r n i a
ndi du '
e'
'
S.
00e2()1. nc n mpl e' r vionme t s
t r o c ndii of e pl ym e t Til V 1 pr vi s a c us of ac i f r hos ie w or
e m r o ton
m o n , te I o de
a e
ton o
tl
k

e r nt EEOC v.R&R Ve urs 244F. 334,338( h Ci.2001 (ii Meio Sa
nvionme .
nt e ,
3d
4t r
) ctng rtr v.
Ba k.FSB v.Vi o 477 U. 5 73 (986 Toma e o s h acl m,afmal pli if
n
ns n,
S. 7, 1 :.
k ut uc
ai
e e antf
mus d monsrt ta çheofndi c duc ()wa unwec ,()wa ba e onhe sx,()
t e tae h tt fe ng on t 1 s
t
lome 2 s s d
re 3
was s Gci l s e or pervasi t aler t condii of her em pl ent and c eat an
uf enty ever
ve o t he
tons
oym
r e

a i wok e vionme ,an ( wa i tbl t he e oye. Oc lre v.Sc l
bujve r n r nt d 4) s mpua e o r mpl r' hete
'
olon

Pr s.l .335F. 325,33l( h Ci.
od . nc,
3d
4t r 2003)(nba ) l mo ngf s
e nc. n vi or umma yj me on
r udg nt
t s c ai ,ABC a g s t tW he l r i una e t s ts y t t r a f t e e e t . Fort
hi l m
r ue ha
e e s bl o a i f he hid nd ourh l m n s
he
r onst f l how ever t cour i unper uaded.
eas hat olow,
, he
ts
s

To s ts y t t r e e e , W he l r m us pr s nt s fc e e de e f om whi a
a if he hid l m nt
ee
t e e ufi i nt vi nc r
ch

ra o a l j r c ul fn t a t eo fn igc n u twa s sv r o pev sv a t atrte
e s n be u y o d i d h t h fe dn o d c s o e ee r r a ie s o le h
co tons of he e pl e a c e t a a usve orhos ie a m os r . df s e e e ofa
ndii
r m oym nt nd r a e n b i
tl t phe e i hi l m nt
-

hosiewok e rnme cai ha boh s j ci a obetvepat. Fre nv.Da- l
tl r nvio nt l m s t ube tve nd j ci rs' e ma
'
lTie
Cor ,75 F.d 41 421(t Ci.201 )(nena quoai maksomitd) Wheee ç t
p. 0 3 3,
4h r 4 itr l tton r
te .
lr ç
mus
s w t t(he di pec i ,an aras a epes n woul peceve t e r n t be
ho ha s ) d reve d e on bl ro
d r i , he nvionme t o
ab i o hosie' 1 (leain i orgi l (nen quoainmaksomitd .
usve r tl. d.atrto n i na) itral tto r
'
te )
Att s s a oft pr e di ,A BC doe no c l ng t s f i e y oft e d nce
hi t ge he oc e ngs
s t hale e he u fci nc
he vi e

wih rs c t t s j ci pori o t s ee nta i ta f u e o whehe t
t epe t o he ube tve ton f hi lme nd nse d oc s s n t r he
haa s n wa o j tvey svee o peva i W ih rs c t t sc ne ,t Unie
rsme t s beci l e r r r sve. t e pe t o hi ompo nt he td
St tsCour o Appe sf rt Fo t Cic tha e ane a f l :
aè
tf
al o he urh r ui s xpli d s olows

W hehe t en r n i o j ci l hosie or a i i
t r he vionme t s b etvey tl
busve s
j d fo te pes tve of a ras bl pes i t
udge rm h rpeci
e ona e ron n he
pl ntf poston. Tha de e m i ton i m a e by l oki a a1
ai ifs ii
t t r na i s d
o ng t l
t c r um s a e , whi h ma i ude t f e uen y of t
he ic t nc s
c
y ncl
he r q c
he
dic i i t y c duc ; is s ve iy; w he he i i phys c ly
s rm na or on t t e rt
t r t s
ial
t r a e n o hu ii tng, or a m e e of e 'i ute a e a
h e t ni g r m la i
r f nsve t r nc ; nd
9

whet i unr
her t easonabl i erer w ih t empl
y nt f es t he
oyee' wor
s
k
per or ance. l i not and by is na ur cannot be, a
f m
t s
,
t
t e
m at atcaly pr s t t
hem i l eci e es .

Bo rti ro v.Fonane e u Cor ,78 F.d 26 27 (t Ci.201 )(n ba ) s e as
ye-abet
ti bla
p. 6 3 4, 7 4h r 5 e nc ; e lo
J n nzs v.Uni o N. ,48 F. 68 696 ( h Ci.200 (G hehe ge rointd
e ni
v. f C. 2 3d 6,
4t r 7) s t r nde-re e
W
haas n a unt t a tona e (e r or pe v sve dici nain de nds o a
rsme t mo s o ci bl s vee
r a i ) srmi to
pe
n
conselaton of sur oundi cicum sances expect i
tli
r
ng r
t
,
atons, and r atons ps.
el i hi

Al t
1 he

crùmsa esaee mi d,i l ngt postonsa a eso t haase a vitm,(ndl
ic tnc r xa ne ncudi he ii nd g f he r sr nd ci a
whehe t haa s ntwasfe n,svee, lai o physc l t e e ngrj' (nen
t r he rsme
rque t e r humiitng, r ialy hratni .' itr al
)
q ainmaksomit )
uotto r
ted .
Al
t
hough vi bl ho t l w or e r m e c a m s o tn i ve r pe t d c uc ,t
a e s ie
k nvion nt l i
fe nvol e a e ond t he
Fo t Cic t ha r c z d t t iol t d i i nt o h r s e , i s fc e l s rous c n
urh r ui s e ogni e ha s a e nc de s f a as m nt f ufi i nty e i , a

amoun t dic i naor c nge i t tr a c to ofemplyme . Bove - be t
t o s rmi t y ha s n he e ms nd ondiinj
o nt
rLi ro,

786F. a 27 sealo i a 28 ( di t taraona ej y c d fnd t tapa tc a
3d t 7; e s d. t 0 hol ng ha e s bl ur oul i ha
riulr
empl ye s ç wo us s of t G r h m o y' e t t . . .we e se e enough t engender a
o e' G
t
e
he po c
nke pihe
r ver
o
t
s
a ne ha the t t
he
(a il qh si wo k e vrn n ). The Cour has alo expli d t t Et saus of t
tcal o tl r n io me f
y
e
ha a s r m a be a s g fc n f c o ' i m e urng t s ve iy of ha as i g c uc , snc
rse
y
i ni a t a t r' n as i he e rt
r s n ond t i e
ha a s e t pe pe r t d b a m a ge or s r s a i t a s or na e e o
r s m n r ta e y
na r
upe vior ga ns
ub di t mpl yee ha a
s

S riulry t e tni c r ce. 1 (ii Bulngo l .l v.Elerh,524U. 742,
ç tc al hrae ng haatr' d. ctng ri tn ndus, nc. l t
pa
'
S.

( 998 Uli tl ç t r l rsme wa s fce l s vee o pevai i
1 :. tmaey, i he haa s nt s ufiinty e r r r sve s
whe
quitse tal aqueto offc.' Hatelv. e Prds.l ,1 F. 766 733(t Ci.
ne sni l
y
sin a t'' rs l Duplx o . nc. 23 3d ,
4h r
1 )( otng Paolne v.Uniy Cor ,87 F. 1 1 ( h Ci.1 5:. (fhus whie
997 qu i
ri
s s p. 9 2d 00, 05 4t r 98
s , l
-

s mmayj d me ti a po rae i c sswh r t efcsae ce ry is fiin t s t f te
u r u g n s p rp it n a e ee h a t r lal n u fce t o ai y h
s
s andar when t e i a cl e ques i and K eas
t
d,
her s os
ton
r onabl m i coul dif w he wei i aI
e nds
d f er' n
ghtng l

t efcsa an tte lw,t e s mmay j d me ti ia p o rae' Wak rv Mo - Krf
h a t g is h a h n u r u g n s n p rp it.
' le . du- a
Ho .
mesLLC, F. 20 208( hCi. 4 ( tngPaoln 8 F. a 1 .
775 3d 2, 4t r201 ) quoi r ie, 79 2d t 05)
V iw i t r d i t lght m os f abl t W heel ,t cour concl
e ng he ecor n he i
t avor e o
er he
t
udes t a
hat

ra o bl j y co d fnd t tCh ily' be vi ceae a obe tvel hosie ora i
e s na e ur ul i ha rse s ha or r td n j ci y tl
busve
wor e vio nt SeeOnc ev.Su
k n rnme .
al
ndowne Ofs r Sevs,5 U. 75,81(998 (çT!
r fhoe r . 23 S.
1 ) ç he
(

obe tvesveiy o haa s n s dbej edfom t pes ci ofaras bl pes
jci e rt f rsme t houl udg r he rpe tve
e ona e ron
i tepl nifsposton,co i rngalt crumsa es' Asr ou e a ,Chrse
n h aitf
ii
nsdei l he ic tnc .
).
ec ntd bove ily
engaged i unw ant physi cont on m uli e occasi w hen he and W heel w or
n
ed
cal
act
tpl
ons
er ked
t her. On t fr toccasi Chr sey cor ed W heel i a back r ,diect hert si on
oget
he s s
on, i l
ner
er n
oom r ed
o t
a desk,and proceeded t m ass W heel s fnger ,w hie moani and br hi heaviy. l
o
age
er' i s
l
ng
eat ng
l n

lgh of Ch il y' m a g i lposton a t f c t t W he l r ha t phys c ly pus pa t
i t
r se s na era
ii nd he a t ha
ee d o
ial
h s

hi i or rt e tt rom,a r s bl j y c d fn t ts h c uc wa no onl
m n de o xi he o
eaona e ur oul id ha uc ond t s t y
s xua i na ur ,bu ph i aly t e t ni o d m e ni g. The s m e i t ue f t s e ue
e l n t e t ysc l hr a e ng r e a n
a s r or he ubs q nt
o ca i on w hi h Ch i l y c ne ed W he l ri t s or a m a unwa e s x la nc s
c sons
c
r se or r
e e n he t e nd de
nt d e ua dva e
t ar her.
oNv d
I addii t engagi i unw ant physcalcont ,Chril m ade comm ent about
n
ton o
ng n
ed
i
act
sey
s
W heel ' a r i
er s ttactvenes bot t W heel and t cus om er w ho ent ed t Bons s ore.
s, h o
er
o t
s
er he
ack t

Chrs e a s voi e hi o ni s a t t be t s x postons r f r nc d s xua l e i i
i ly l o c d s pi on s o he s e
ii , e e e e e ly xplc t
lt r t e a lcke hi lps whe W he erw a ke ne rhi .A ddii ly,Chrsey e pr s d
ie a ur , nd i d s i
n
el
l d a m
tona l
i l x es e
'

pl as e i a l ge y bei abl t s e W he e ' c e va e,a a s d he t the co d t rt
e ur n le dl ng e o e
el r s l a g nd dvi e r ha
ul s ie
w

( r up'butwoul no snc hee j dviwi t ae bewe nherb e ss W he lrDe
hy) '
d t i e noye e ng he ra t e
r at. ee p.
1
33.
l lg of t e s xua n t r o Chrs e s c m e s t W he l r t i t e of
n i ht
h e l aue f
i l y' om nt o
e e , he nsanc s
unw el e physi t
com
cal ouchi and t f t s
ng,
he act hat uch conduc occur ed w hie Chrsly was
t
r
l
ie

s r ng i a m a ge i lc pa iy,t co tc l s t tW hee e hasr s d a t i bl is as
e vi n
na ra a c t he ur onc ude ha
lr
aie r a e s ue
t w he he t e ha a s e t w a s tcinty s ve e or pe v sve t a t r t co to of he
o
t r h rsm n
s ufs e l e r
r a i o le he ndii ns
r
em pl ent and cr e an abusi or hosie a m os e. l ar ng t t cont ar AB C
oym
eat
ve
tl t pher n gui o he
r y,

a t mpt t ditnguih W he e ' wor e vionm e t f o pr vi c e i w hi h t Fo t
te s o s i s
elr s
k n r
n r m e ous as s n
c he urh
Cic t has he d t t pa tc a c uc w a s fc e l s ve e or per asve t m a e ou a
r ui
l ha r i ul r ond t s ufi i nty e r
v i o k
t

sxualh r s ntcli SeeABC' Br Su MotSumm. .1 (: fcsi t sc s ae.
e
aasme am.
S . pp. .
J 6 t a t n hi a e r .
The
.

i'tr c rs t t ei Okol,Stwata Be dse ' (ii Okolv. t ofBali e
nsak ontat o hos n
i e r, nd ar lv.) ctng
'
i Ciy
tmor,

648F.d 21 (t Ci.20l1;Stwatv.MTF Ga na Gm.I . 581F.App' 2 ( hCi.
3 6 4h r
) e r
mi
. nc,
x 45 4t r
201 ;Be r lvv.We 30F. 524( hCi.1 94 Howe r boht Su e Co ta
4) adse
bb, 3d
4t r 9 :.
ve, t he pr me ur nd
t Fo t Cicui ha ma ce rt tEa lng c nduc'ale d i prvi c e E es
he urh r t ve de la ha Gppali o t' lge n e ous ass E l
dor
no m a k t boun r of w ha i a tona e ' H a rs v.For it Svs.I ,51 U . 1 22
t r he
da y
t s c i bl .
' ri
klf
. nc. 0 S. 7,

(993 ;s ealo Wal r 775 F. a 209 (cW l l ou c s 1w hasn e i tnc swhee
1 ) e s
ke,
3d t
dg hie r a e a
otd nsa e
r
c ra n c gc woul s ts y a pl i tf' bur e o t S e r orpe v s ve'el m e t we ha
e t i ond t
d a if
a n if s d n n he s ve e
ra i
e n,
ve
n lm ie t a i a e a al i o y t i t n swhe e t os pr c s be vi sa e ale d t
ot i t d he pplc bl n yss nl o ns a ce
r h e e i e ha or r l ge o
have occur ed.' . Al
'r '
) t h t sc s ma b difrntfom Okol,Stwat a Be r lv i
houg hi ae y e fee r
i e r, nd adse n
s e r pect t r d does not per i t cour t r e, as a m a t of l t t
om es s, he ecor
m t he
t o ul
ter
aw, hat he
cicum st
r
ances of W heel ' em pl ent were i fci t cons iut a hos ie w or
er s
oym
nsuf ent o
tt e
tl
k

e r
nvionmen. l tad,te c r beive t taj y ar d wih Ccommon sns ,a a
t nse h ou t le s ha ur me t s j
r
e e nd n
a o it snstviyt s cilc tx 'c dras bl co l t tW he lrwa s j ce
pprprae e ii t o o a one t' oul e ona y ncude ha
ee s ube td

t b h vo s o j cieyof n iea t atrtec n iin o h re o me t On ae 5 3
o e a ir o be t l fe sv s o l h o dto s f e mply n . c l, 2
v
e
U. a 8 Ac or ngl s mmayj me o t t r ee nti i p o it 3
S. t 2. c di y, u r udg nt n he hid lme s na prprae.
3l rahn ti d cso ,tec u t o sn ts g etta aj r s o db l tdt assigwh te
n e c ig hs e iin h o r d e o u g s h t uy h ul e i e o se sn eh r
mi
Chilysb h vo twadWh ee cetdah si wo ke vrn n.A jr wo l as b e tldt c n ie
r e ' e a ir o r elr rae otl r n io me t uy ud lo e nie o o sdr
s
e
t

ot re d ncepotn i l idiai ofs veeorpe v svehaasm e t i l ngha a s e die t t r ote
he vie
e tal n c tve e r
y
r a i r s n ,ncudi r sm nt rced owa ds h r

wo n S eZikev Miea 5 7F.d2 0 2 5 (t Ci. 0 8 (mp aiigta R vd n ea o th w oh r
me . e si . n t. 4 3 2 , 2 4h r 2 0 ) e h szn h t e ie c b u o te
e o e we ete td i ta s m ewor a c n bepr tveofwhehe t e r nm e wa i e a sxual
mplye s r r ae n h t a
kplce a
obai
t r he nvio nt s nde d e l
y

h si o e ee itepanif i n t testec n uth ref) seas S n o a v. Blc. itId s.
otl n ,v n fh lit dd o wi s h o d c esl'; e lo a d v l Am. d Man.n u .
e
f
n
1
2

W ih r s t t t f urh e e e of W he e ' hos ie wor e r e t cl i ,
t e pec o he o t l m nt
elr s tl
k nvionm n a m
W he l rm us esa ih a ba i f i p i la lt on A BC. W he a pl i ips c a m i ba e
ee
t t bls
s s or m os ng i bii
y
n a ntf l i s s d
on t c uc of a c wor r t e pl r i la e S nl i i w a ne i n i c r lng
he ond t
o- ke , he m oye s i bl ' y f t s glge t n ontoli
o

wor ngc to ' Va ev.BalStt Uni ,570U. 421 424( 3) Whe apl ntf'
ki ondiins- nc
'
l ae v.
S. ,
201 .
n ai ifs
cl m i bas on t conductofa s vior t empl
ai s ed
he
uper s , he
oyer i sti l labl i t har sm ent
s rcty i e f he as

c m i t d i a t i e e pl e t ac i
ul na e n ang bl m oym n ton. I ç t i no t ngi e e o e a to i
d. i
Bu f
a bl mpl ym nt c i n s

tke tee oye ma esa la ly byesa ihi a a afr tvedee e t t()te
a n, h mpl r y c pe ibii
t
tbls ng, s n fimai fns, ha 1 h
e o re r sdras bl c r t prve a corc a haasi be vi a d ( t t
mplye xecie e ona e ae o e nt nd re t ny r sng ha or n 2) ha
t pl ntf unr onabl f l t t
he ai if
eas
y aied o ake advant
age of t pr
he event i or cor ectve
atve
r i

o t te t tt e oye pr de ' I ( tngFaa rv.CiyBoc Raon,5 U.
pporuniis ha he mpl r ovi d. d. cii rghe
'
t
a t 24 S.

7 (998 a Buri t l .lc. Elerh, U. 7 ( 9
75 1 ) nd lncon ndus.n v. l t 524 S. 42 1 98:.
Und t s fame or di i ob ousy i po t t whe he a a l ge ha a s r i a
er hi r w k, s s vi l m ran
t
t r n le d r s e s
S uper sor' or m er y a co- or ' I at 430. l V ance,t Supr e Courthel t a
s vi
el
w ker.' d.
n
he
em
d hat

ha as e qua i s a a s r s , f r pum os s of t e pl rs vi a i la lt i C he
r s r lfe s upe vior o
e
he m oye ' c rous i biiy, f t
t
e pl ye ha e po e e t a e pl e t t ke t ngi e e pl e t a to a ns t
m o r s m w r d h t m oye o a a bl m oym n c i ns gai t he
vi i .' I at43l. An empl
ctm ' d.
oyee i so em pow er when he i abl çt ef ecta < i fcant
s
ed
s e ço f
sgnii
change i em pl ent s a us s as hii frng, f lng t pr ot r
n
oym
t t , uch
rng, ii
aii o om e, eassi ent wih
gnm
t

s gnii a ty dif e r s ns biii s or a d i i n c s ng a s gnii a c nge i be is ''
i fc n l fer nt e po i lte ,
ec s o au i
i fc nt ha
n neft .'

1 (uotn Ele t 52 U. a 761. The Cour rj ce a mor S bulus'd fnii t t
d. q ig lrh, 4 S. t )
t ee td
e s o ' ei ton ha
ne
I .. 5 2 F.d 7 7 8 2 (t Ci.2 0 )CW h nj d n te sv rt a d pr aie e so wo k lc sx a
nc . 7 3 2 , 0 8h r 0 9
e u gig h e ei n ev sv n s f rpa e e u l
y
h a s nt t sc r ha Ing hel ha a s e die td t r ote fm aeemplyee i r e nta mus be
ars me , hi ou t s o
d r sm nt r ce owads h r e l
o s s elva nd
t

c n iee '.Ho v r fr up sso smmayj d me ttec ut o cu e ta Wh ee' e d n ergadn
o sd rd.) we e,o p roe f u r u g n,h o rc n ld s h t e lrs vie c e rig
'

he o i e a tonsw i Ch ily i s fcintt c e t atibl is offc a t t t r ee e .Acc di y,
r wn ntr ci
t rse s ufi e o r ae ra e sue a t s o he hid lm nt
h
or ngl

a ti sa eo tep o edn s tec ut id iu n c sayt a desABC' oj cin t tsi n d srbn
ths tg fh rc e ig ,h o rfn s t n eesr o d rs
S be t s o etmo y eciig
o

i de sofs xua haasm e torm ic
nci nt
e l rs n
sonduc t tW he era he c wor e she r a tfom ot rempl es
t ha
el nd r o- k r ad bou r
he
oye .

Th d fn a t aefe t rnw s c oj cin i amoini lmieo a til
e ee d ns r re o e e u h bet s n t n i n r tra.
o
o

woul pr de s e vi o y sa us t e pl e who mer l ha t a lt t e r i e
d ovi up r s r t t o m oye s
e y ve he biiy o xe c s
di c e i ove a ot r s da l w or
s r ton
r n he ' iy
k.

The Co t a s m a c e r h e r t t a
ur l o de l a , ow ve , ha n

e pl e ne no ha t fna s y a t a t ngi e e o e a ton i or r t be
m oye ed t ve he i l a s o a bl mpl ym nt c i n de o

co i rd a spewio . I tad the e o e' de so ma be Eube tt a o by
psdee u l s r nse , ç mplye s ciin y s j c o pprval
t
hi rma ge nt''Bo rLi ro,78 F. a 2 ( otngVa e, U. a 437n. .
ghe na me .' ye- bet 6 3d t 78 qu i nc 570 S. t
8)
I t s c s ,t e pa te dipu e w h he Chrs e w a W hee e ' s r s f r pu pos
n hi a e h ri s s t et r i ly s
l r s upe vior o r es
ofvi ous labiiy. Based on t evi
cari i lt
he dence pr ent i udi Chrsl s tEm pl
es ed, ncl ng
i ey' t
oyee W or
k

Pr ie, D kt N o. 1 20, t co ' bele s t t t s pr e s a s e t cl e quesi
ofl '
' .
20- he ul
t i ve ha hi es nt
om wha os
ton.
However,even i t cour w er t concl t Chril was not W heel ' s viorunder
f he
t eo
ude hat
sey
er s uper s

Va c ,
n e ABC i n te tt dt s mmayj d me t
s o nie o u r u g n .
l
As i c t d ab , i t e ha a s r i a c - o ke , S he empl e m us s w t t t e
ndi a e ove f h r s e s o w r r t
t
oye
t ho ha h
empl
oyer was E i
neglgent i contoli wor ng condii - t i t empl
n
r lng
ki
tons' hat s, he
oyer d w or
kne

s d ha kn
houl ve own a t t e ha as m e t a f ie t t ke e f c i ac i t s op i.
bou h
r s n nd a l d o a
f e tve ton o t t'
'

Stot r v.Civo La r ,895F.d 31 333( h Ci. 8 (uotngVan e,5 U. a 42
r hes t f uel
3 7, 4t r 201 ) q i
c 70 S. t 4;
Oc lre,335 F. a 333 ) TheFourh Cic tha ex ai ta o eane oye ha
hete
3d t -34 .
t rui s pl ned h t nc
mpl r s
ac ualor cons r i notce of t har si conduct (i m us r pond w ih r edi acton
t
t uctve i
he as ng
, çt
t es
t em al i

te on bl c l ult d t e t e ha a s e t ' EEO C v.Su l Re t l .l .5 F. 306,
r as a y a c a e o nd h r s m n .'
'
nbe t n a s nc. 21 3d

31 ( h Ci. )( tn Amimo iv. li r Ga & Elc. , F. 11 1 31( h
? 4t r 2008 quoig r kr Batmoe s e Co.60 3d 26, 1 4t
Ui.1 5$.i l t a pto ofa efci a t- rsme tpolc i a i tntfcori
r 99 t e he do in n fetve nihaas n iy s n mpora a t n
Whi
deemi ng whehe (n e oyeqe cs dras bl c r,t polc mus beefe tvei
tr ni
t r a mpl r xerie e ona e ae he iy t
fci n
or t havem eani ulval ' 1
der o
ngf
ùe.' d.

Appl ngt s sa ads t c tc l st tara ona ej yc ul fndt tABC
yi he e tnd r ,he our oncude ha e s bl ur o d i ha
had notce of t s
i
he exual har sm e i lct by Chrsl The r d r
as nt nfi ed
i ey.
ecor eveal t W heelr
s hat
e

.

r ored each i dent t Jennier St t , t m anager of t Bons k sor as pr ded i
ep' t
nci
o
f
uts he
he
ac t e,
ovi
n
1
4

ABC' haa s n polc Se Haasme Polc 1 (C e o e ma c s t rpor
S rsme t iy. e r s nt iy
An mplye y hoo e o e t
a l a i ns ofw or a e ha a s e t t a ag nc m a ge ,s r s or D i son D ie t
leg to
kpl c r s m n o nv e y, na r upe vior
vi i
r c or

t tt yfe c mf tbl rpori t ' (mpha i a de . l mo n f s
ha he e l o ora e e tng o.) e ss d d) n vig or ummayj
'
r udgme t
n,
A BC e pha i e t ti i t s e t t W he e di notr por t 201 i d tt A BC
m s z s ha t s E
undiput d ha
el r d
e t he 4 nci en o
Hum a Re o c s o Pa rc Ca pbe l' Br Sup M .Sum m .J 20. W hie t s m a be t ue
n s ur e r t i k m l.
' . p.
.
l hi y
r ,
W heel w as notr r t do so undert har m entpolcy. l t
er
equied o
he ass
i
nsead,St t a any ot r
uts nd
he
manager or super s t whom W heel com pl ned had a Cdut t r t' W heel s
vi or o
er
ai
s y o epor'
er'

a l ga i . Har s m e Polc 1 The f c t tt y f ie t do s i vi a i o t polc
le tons
a s nt i y .
a t ha he a l d o
o, n ol ton f he i y,
does notr
enderA BC i m une f om labiiy a t s sage oft pr
m
r i lt t hi t
he oceedi
ngs. See O c t ee,335
helr
1

F.da 3 (W ne o rc nota dTil VI la lt f co r rhaa s ntbya optng
3 t 34
mplye an voi te I ibiiy or woke rsme
d i
a < ee no evi,hearno e l s r t
s
l
vi' t a egy. Know l
edge ofhar m entcan be i
ass
mput t an em pl
ed o
oyer

i a Se s nabl ( ro ,i e on c yi wih Til VI, woul h e lnown a outt
f ra o e pes nj ntnt ompl ng t te I' d av c
b he

haa s nt' (iainomitd .
rsme .) ctto
'
te )

Thec r lke s c l est tar aona ej yco dfndt tABC di notr po
ou t i wie oncud ha e s bl ur ul i ha
d es nd
w ih r onabl cor ectve acton. l i undiput t Chrsl w as not dici i i 201
t eas
e r i
i
ts
s ed hat i ey
s plned n
4,
f l i t alegatons of unwant physcalcont and s
olow ng he l i
ed
i
act
exual adva
nces. l t
ns ead, St t
uts

unde t ok e f t t pr ve tW he l r a Chrs e f om w o ki t e he . W hie t s e bl d
r o fors o e n
e e nd
il y r
r ng og t r
l hi na e
W he l r t a i ha ng c t c w ih Chrs e f r ne ry t ye r , i di no c r c t
e e o vo d vi on a t t
i ly o a l wo a s t d t or e t he
ofen ng be a o orpr ve i f om r c r i l t a a c di t t e de e pr s nt d by
f di
h vi r
e nt t r e u rng. ns e d, c or ng o he vi nc e e e
W he l r Chrs e ha i ppr pra e i e a ton w ih o he w om e whie on d t , and he
ee
i ly d na o i t nt r c i s t t r
n
l
u
'y
i m edi el engaged i se l off ve conduct when he and W heel w or t her
m
at y
n xualy ensi
er
ked oget
agai i 2016. A lhough t har sm entpolcy has been des bed as havi ûzer t er
n n
t
he as
i
cri
ng ç o ol ance'
'
f s
or exualha s ent Chrsly w as m er y couns ed i 2016 aft i w as det m i t t he
ras m , i e
el
el n
er t
er ned ha

vi ae t polc Ca
dlt d he iy. mpbel De 3 Dkt No.1 - Riha ds Dep.40 Dkt No.1 0- 3.
l p. 7, .
20 2; c r on
, .
2 1

I wasnotu i M ay of201 ,a t rhe s xua l ha a s d a s r na e e pl e a t s or i
t
ntl
7 fe
e ly r s e
ubo di t m oye t he t e n
Bl c b g,t t ABC t r i t d Chrs e s e o e . Vi w i t e den i t e lg
a ks ur ha
e m na e
i l y' mpl ym nt e ng he vi ce n h i ht
m os f vo a et W he l r t c ur i una e t c ncl de t a ABC' r s ns w a çs f c e
t a r bl o
e e , he o t s bl o o u h t
S e po e s iufi i nt

o t s fcst warn s
n hee a t o ra t ummayj me ' Su l Re tl,5 F. a 320. I t d,t
r udg nt' nbet nas 21 3d t
nsea he
co tbeivest ta rtona j ' c d fnd t tABC f ld t rs wih rmedi a to
ur le ha ai l ul oul i ha
y
aie o epond t e al cin
r a ona y c l ult dt e t ha a s n .1
e s bl a c ae o nd he r s me t d.

l s m,h c u t o cu e t a arto a j r c udfn ta W h ee wa s be tdt
n u te o r c n ld s h t ain l u y o l id h t e lr s u jce o
a obe tvey hosiewor e r me ,a t tABC h d kno e o t haa s nta
n j ci l tl k nvion nt nd ha
a
wldge f he rsme nd
f ie t r po i a r as bl f s o A c or n y,e n a s i t t Chrs e was no
a l d o es nd n e ona e a hi n. c di gl ve s um ng ha
ily
t
W he l r s s per s f pur e of vi a i us la lt A BC i no e tte t s m a y
e e ' u vior or pos s
c ro i biiy,
s t n il d o um r

j me ont hosiewor e r me cli
udg nt he tl k nvion nt am.
I
l.

Ret i i
alaton

W he l r a s a s rs a c a m o r t iton i vi a i of Til Vl . I a to t
e e lo s e t
l i f e ala i n ol ton
te 1 n ddii n o
pr bii di i i ton on t basi of a pr ect t ai,Til V1 m akes i unl f f an
ohi tng scrm na i
he
s
ot ed r t te 1
t aw ul or

e oye t rt it a i ta e oye E c us (he e o e ha o e a prci
mpl r o ealae gans n mpl e E a e t mplye j s ppos d ny a tce
be
ma a u a ulpr tc b t ss ha e,'o ç c us (h e oye )ha ma ac r ,
de n nlwf acie y hi ubc ptr' r ç a e te mpl e s de hage
be
t tfed,assst orpartci ed i any m anneri an i tga i pr
es ii
i ed,
i pat n
n nves i ton, oceedi orheari 'unde
ng
ng'
r

Til V1. 4 U. C.5 20 - a . l t s c s Whe e cams t tABC tr nae h r
tç 1 2 S.
00e3() n hi ae, elr li ha
emi td e
em pl
oymentbecause s compl ned aboutChr sey' behavi ,Gl a char of dicri i i
he
ai
il s
or ed
ge
s m naton

wih t e EEO C, nd c
t h
a omm e e t i t nta to unde Til Vl .
nc d he ns a c i n
r te 1
W hen t e i no diectevi
her s
r
dence ofr alaton,a pl ntf m ay pr
et i i
ai if
oceed undert bur
he den-

s fi fa wor stf t i Mc nelDougl Cop.v.Gre 411U. 792( 973 . Se
hitng rme k e orh n Don l
as r
e n,
S.
1 ) e
Prc v.Thomps 38 F.d 20 21 (t Ci. 4) Thi fa wor rquie t pl nift
ie
on, 0 3 9, 2 4h r 200 . s rme k e rs he aitf o
i tal etbls byaprpo rnc oft e de e:()t ts eng ge i prtce a tviy;
niily sa ih,
e ndea e he vi nc 1 ha he a d n oe td ci t
16

( t the e o r t a mae ily a re a to a i t he;a ( t ta c us
2) ha r mplye ook
tral dves cin gans r nd 3) ha a al
connecton exi ed bet
i
st
ween t pr ec ed actviy and t m at i l adve se acton. EEO C v.
he ot t
it
he eraly
r
i

Na y Fe Crdi Unin,42 F.d 397,405 6 ( h Ci.2005. Onc apl ntf esa ihe a
v d. e t o 4 3
-0 4t r
)
e ai if tbls s
prm a f c e ca e,t e bur n s fs t t e o r t a tc a e a l gii a e, non e a i t r
i
ai s h
de hit o he mpl ye o ri ul t
e tm t
r t la o y
r as f t e a r e a to Se H ilv. khe d M a tn Log s i s M gmt.I . 35 F. d 277,
e on or h dve s c i n. e l Loc e
ri
itc
. nc , 4 3

28 ( h Ci.20 (n ba ) Cft e o rma st ss owig,t bude s fsba kt
5 4t r 04) e nc. t he mplye ke hi h n he r n hit c o
l
t e pl i if t r bu t empl ye ' e de e by de onsr tn t tt e e pl ye ' pur r e
h a ntf o e t he
o r s vi nc
m ta i g ha h m o r s po t d
nonr t la o y r as d e e no ist u r a o ,bu w e e a pr t xtf dic i i ton.' Fos e
e a i t r e ons w r t t r e e s ns t r
e e or s r m na i '' t r

v.Uni ofM aya - senSho e 78 F. 243, (t Ci. 5 ( tngHil354F. a
v.
rlndEa tr r , 7 3d
250 4h r 201 ) quoi l,
3d t
285 .
)
I t scas even as um i t W heel coul es abls a pri f e cas ofr t iton,
n hi e,
s ng hat
er
d t ih
ma aci e e ala i

ABC ha a tc a e a l gii a e,no e ala or r a o f t r i tng he e pl m e t na el
s ri ul t d e tm t nr t i t y e s n or e m na i
r m oy n , m y
t f c t a s w a c c e of s plfi a t r be ng hied t w or a a pa ttm e s e
he a t h t he s onvi t d
ho itng fe i
r o
k s
r- i al s
a s i t Be a e A BC has cl a l m e is bur n of pr f e i a pe m is bl r s f is
s oc a e. c us
e ry t t
de
o f rng
r s i e ea on or t
t naton deci on, W heel m us s
enui i
si
er
t how t t t as ert r
ha he s ed eason i pr ext f r alaton.
s et
or et i i

W hie W he l r a n s s ve a a g e s i a a t mpt t e t bls pr t xt t co t
l
e e dva ce e r l r um nt n n te
o s a ih e e , he ur
c cl t ts ha f l d t c e t a ge ne is ofm a e i f c w ih r s c t t si s
on udes ha he s aie o r a e
nui s ue
t ral a t t e pe t o hi s ue.
W heel lr t ar
er s gues t s Sdi not s eal anyt ng,'t she has no r l ton of
hat he t d
t
hi ' hat
ecolec i

pl a n guit t t c r d o f ns a d t a ABC s d ha gi n hera o t niy t
e di g ly o he ha ge f e e, n h t
houl ve ve
n ppor u t o

r po be or tr i tn he e o nt Pl' Br i Opp' 33
es nd f e e m na ig r mplyme . .s . n
n -34,Dkt No.33;s e alo
.
e s

Whe lrDe l 6CT ' myundesa ngt tIpldnoc nts ).The eagu nt aecl ry
ee p. 5 l s
t
rtndi ha e
o et'
s r me s r eal
i ufi i n t s ts y t pl ntf ' bur e The Fourh Cic tha t e a e y obs r e t t i
ns t c e t o a i f he ai if s d n.
t r ui s E pe t dl
r
e v d ha t
i nota cour ' pr nce t deci w he her an em pl ' r
s
ts ovi o
de
t
oyer s eason f t m i i an empl
or er natng
oyee
w as' ie,f r or even cor ect uli a el s l as i tul w as t r on f t em pl
w s ai,
r , tm t y o ong t r y
he eas or he
oyee'
s

tr nai ' W ake,775F. a 211(nena quoai maksan aleai o te .Thus
emi ton. l r
'
3d t
itr l tton r d trtons mitd)
,
even i W heel r' d es abls t r ds f om t Gener D iti Cour f t Ciy of
f
e coul t ih hat ecor r
he
al srct
t or he t
Roanoke ar i rec ,s a s i i nots fcintt dem ons r t pr ext N or i W heel '
e ncor t uch how ng s
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