Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_08-cv-00492/USCOURTS-azd-2_08-cv-00492-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 42:1981 Job Discrimination (Race)

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

WO

NOT FOR PUBLICATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Annette Y. Gulley, 

Plaintiff, 

vs.

Southwestern Eye Center, et al., 

Defendants. 

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

No. CV-08-0492-PHX-FJM

ORDER

Plaintiff began working for defendant Southwestern Eye Center as an ophthalmic

technician on August 29, 2006. On January 4, 2007, she was terminated from her position,

allegedly due to poor performance. She filed a complaint on March 12, 2008, claiming that

defendants discriminated against her based on race and age in violation of Title VII, the Age

Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), and the Arizona Civil Rights Act (“ACRA”).

She also alleges a state law defamation claim. 

The court now has before it defendants’ motion to dismiss (doc. 8). Plaintiff did not

respond to the motion and the time for doing so has long since expired. See LRCiv 7.2(c).

Defendants then filed a motion for summary disposition based on plaintiff’s failure to

respond (doc. 10). Failure to respond may be deemed a consent to the granting of the motion

and we may dispose of the motion summarily. LRCiv 7.2(i).

Case 2:08-cv-00492-GMS Document 11 Filed 05/19/08 Page 1 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

- 2 -

Defendants argue in their motion to dismiss that plaintiff’s state law claims under the

ACRA and claim for defamation are time-barred. The Arizona Civil Rights Division issued

plaintiff’s right to sue letter on October 30, 2007, notifying plaintiff that claims under the

ACRA must be filed “within 90 days of the date you receive this Notice or within one year

of the date you filed your charge, whichever comes first.” Complaint, ex. 2. Plaintiff did not

file her complaint until March 12, 2008–134 days after the issuance of the right to sue letter.

Therefore the ACRA discrimination and harassment claims were filed outside the 90-day

limitations period and are time-barred.

Defendants also argue that plaintiff’s defamation claim is time-barred. Under A.R.S.

§ 12-541, claims related to “injuries done to the character or reputation of another by libel

or slander,” which includes defamation, must be filed within one year. Defendants contend

that plaintiff’s defamation claim relates to a false performance evaluation on December 4,

2006, and that her complaint, filed on March 12, 2007, was outside the one-year statute of

limitations period. We agree. Plaintiff’s defamation claim is time-barred and is dismissed.

Finally, defendants argue that individual defendants Hernandez, Henry, and DeSouza

should be dismissed because Title VII and the ADEA both limit civil liability to the

employer, not individual employees. Miller v. Maxwell’s Intern. Inc., 991 F.2d 583, 587 (9th

Cir. 1993); Ransom v. Ariz. Bd. of Regents, 983 F. Supp. 895, 904 (D. Ariz. 1997) (applying

the Miller rationale to preclude individual liability under the ACRA). We agree. Defendants

Hernandez, Henry, and DeSouza are dismissed from this action.

Therefore, IT IS ORDERED GRANTING defendants’ motion to dismiss (doc. 8).

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED DENYING defendants’ motion for summary disposition on

grounds of mootness (doc. 10). 

Case 2:08-cv-00492-GMS Document 11 Filed 05/19/08 Page 2 of 3
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

- 3 -

Only the Title VII and ADEA claims against defendant Southwestern Eye Center

remain. Plaintiff is advised that any further failure to prosecute her case may result in

dismissal of the remaining action under Rule 41(b), Fed. R. Civ. P. She is also advised to

 seek the advice of counsel. If she cannot find a lawyer, she may wish to contact the Lawyer

Referral Service of the Maricopa County Bar Association at (602) 257-4434.

DATED this 16th day of May, 2008.

Case 2:08-cv-00492-GMS Document 11 Filed 05/19/08 Page 3 of 3