1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

SOUTHERN DIVISION

KAREN PADGETT BROWN, )

Plaintiff, )

 )

v. ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 14-00343-KD-C

 ) 

MOBILE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, )

et al., )

Defendants. )

ORDER

This matter is before the Court on Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment solely on 

Plaintiff’s discriminatory and retaliatory termination claim (Docs. 12, 13) and Defendant’s Reply 

(Doc. 17). While provided with the opportunity to do so, Plaintiff did not respond to 

Defendant’s motion for summary judgment.

I. Background

This cause came before the Court on Defendant Mobile County Commissioners’ motion 

for summary judgment on Plaintiff Karen Brown’s discriminatory/retaliatory termination claim 

made under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Mobile County Commissioners seek 

summary judgment arguing Brown was discharged due to her dishonest misconduct, not because 

of her race, sex, or alleged protected activity. The Mobile County Commissioners assert an 

investigation of Brown’s conduct provided ample basis for the decision-makers to conclude 

Brown misled vendors, dishonestly misused the County’s purchase order system for personal 

aims in violation of multiple purchasing policies, did so even after a previous warning for similar 

misconduct, attempted to cover up her misconduct, and lied to her department manager when she 

was caught. After due consideration of the pleadings, briefs, and evidentiary materials submitted 

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by the parties, the Court finds that there is no genuine issue of material fact, and The Mobile 

County Commissioners are entitled to judgment on Brown’s termination claim as a matter of 

law. The Court enters the following Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and Order 

granting summary judgment.

II. Findings of Fact1

A. “Chain of Command” and “Cast of Characters” Background Information

The Mobile County Commission is the elected government of Mobile County, Alabama.

Merceria Ludgood is County Commissioner for District One. Connie Hudson is County

Commissioner for District Two. Jerry Carl is County Commissioner for District Three. (Lawson

 1 At the summary judgment stage, the facts are taken in the light most favorable to the non-movant. Tipton 

v. Bergrohr GMBH–Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 998-999 (11th Cir. 1992). The “facts, as accepted at the summary 

judgment stage of the proceedings, may not be the actual facts of the case.” Priester v. City of Riviera Beach, 208 

F.3d 919, 925 n. 3 (11th Cir. 2000). Additionally, Plaintiff did not file a response to the motion for summary 

judgment. Local Rule 7.2(b) for the Southern District of Alabama requires a party who responds to a Rule 56 motion 

to specify the disputed facts, if any, and the Rule explains that failure to do so will be interpreted as an admission 

that there is no material factual dispute: 

Within thirty (30) days...[of the filing of a motion for summary judgment] or as may be otherwise 

ordered, the party or parties in opposition shall file a brief in opposition thereto, and, if it is 

contended that there are material factual disputes, shall point out the disputed facts appropriately 

referenced to the supporting document or documents filed in the action. Failure to do so will be 

considered an admission that no material factual dispute exists; provided, that nothing in this rule 

shall be construed to require the non-movant to respond in actions where the movant has not borne 

its burden of establishing that there is no dispute as to any material fact.

S.D.ALA.L.R. 7.2(b). Because Plaintiff failed to “point out the disputed facts,” her “[f]ailure to do so will be 

considered an admission that no material factual dispute exists.” Id. See Mann v. Taser Int'l, Inc., 588 F.3d 1291, 

1302–03 (11th Cir. 2009) (giving deference to interpretation of local rule which provides that if a “party responding 

to a summary judgment motion does not directly refute a material fact set forth in the movant's Statement of 

Material Facts with specific citations to evidence, or otherwise fails to state a valid objection to the material fact 

pursuant to Local Rule 56.1B(2), such fact is deemed admitted by the respondent[]”); Patton v. City of Hapeville, 

Ga., 162 Fed. Appx. 895, 896 (11th Cir.2006) (“We conclude from the record, however, that the district court 

properly held that the defendants' statement of undisputed facts filed with their motion for summary judgment were 

admitted when Patton failed to respond to the statement of facts in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil 

Procedure and the Local Rules for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia[]”). 

Moreover, Rule 56(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that “[i]f a party fails to properly support an 

assertion of fact or fails to properly address another party’s assertion of fact as required under Rule 56(c), the court 

may ... consider the fact undisputed for purposes of the motion.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e). The Court, having 

determined that Defendant’s undisputed facts are deemed admitted, makes the following factual findings.

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Decl. ¶2). The County has a Public Works-Engineering Department headed by Joe Ruffer,

Director of Public Works / County Engineer. Ruffer reports directly to the County Commission.

Public Works Superintendent Ted Lawson, Sr. reports to Ruffer and oversees the day-today

operations of the Public Works side of the Department. (Lawson Decl. ¶2).

Brown worked as an Automotive Parts Buyer for the Public Works Department from

November 2007 until her termination in November 2013. She worked at the Public Works

facility located at 1150 Schillinger Road North, Mobile, Alabama 36608. This facility is

colloquially referred to as “Camp 1” and includes the Public Works equipment maintenance

parts department and primary vehicle and equipment maintenance garage.

2 (Lawson Decl. ¶3).

Fletcher Robinson is a Purchasing Manager in the Public Works Department who was

Brown’s primary direct supervisor from approximately January 2011 until her termination in

November 2013. Raymond Shelly is a Garage Supervisor who was Brown’s primary direct

supervisor prior to Robinson’s promotion. Robinson and Shelly report to Equipment Services

Manager Robert Gordon, who in turn reports to Lawson. Lawson had promoted Robinson in late

2010 / early 2011 in the hope he would provide a “buffer” between Brown and Shelly who had

clashed in the past. Shelly often had complaints about her work, and Brown disliked what she

perceived as Shelly’s overbearing supervisory style. (Lawson Decl. ¶4).

B. Plaintiff’s Job Duties & Ethical Purchasing Responsibilities

The Mobile County Public Works Department is responsible for supervision of the design 

and construction of any new publicly-funded projects within Mobile County, for issuing permits 

and inspecting all building construction on private property in the unincorporated portion of the 

County, and for issuing permits for construction to be performed by outside agencies or private 

 2 “Camp 2” and “Camp 3” are small maintenance/repair facilities located in south and north Mobile 

County, respectively. Only a few mechanics and no parts buyers work at these locations. (Lawson Decl. ¶3)

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contractors within a County road right-of-way. The Department is also responsible for 

maintaining County-owned buildings, an airport on Dauphin Island, several parks, a significant 

number of roads, drainage facilities associated with these roads, bridges, traffic control devices, a 

countywide trunked radio system, and environmental measures. The Department is also 

responsible for administering contracts approved by the County Commission, planning, mapping 

of all roads in the County, subdivision plan review, commercial site plan review, road and 

drainage improvements, and bridge construction and/or repair. (Lawson Decl. ¶4).

To carry out these various obligations, the County owns a large fleet of automobiles, 

equipment, and other vehicles assigned for use by the Public Works Department. To maintain the 

fleet, the County must regularly purchase automotive and construction equipment parts and 

supplies. As an Automotive Parts Buyer, Brown was directly responsible for purchasing parts 

for the vehicles and equipment of the road and bridge division of the Public Works Department.

(Lawson Decl. ¶6) . Brown’s job description3 characterizes the “distinguishing features” of her 

job as follows:

An employee in this class is responsible for the timely and economical purchase of parts 

and supplies, for assuring the proper quality of parts purchased, and for maintaining 

inventory control. Work is performed in accordance with well defined policies and 

procedures under the direct supervision of the Purchasing Agent, Garage Supervisor or 

other superior.

The job description further indicates some examples of the work to be done, including: 

Receives orders for parts and supplies from authorized personnel independently makes 

purchases of the normal and less complex requirements in accordance with best price and 

quality; prepares requisitions and bid forms; handles routine correspondence with 

vendors; performs a variety of related clerical work; interviews vendors and sales 

representatives by phone and in person; submits invoices for payment after checking for 

proper conformance to order; ...

 3 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 1)

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The job description also states as one of the “essential requirements of the work” that Brown 

must have “good knowledge of the laws and ordinances governing governmental purchasing”.

Mobile County’s General Purchasing Policies were one critical law/ordinance governing 

Brown’s job.

4

 In general, these regulations require employees like Brown to use the County’s 

purchase system only to purchase goods for County purposes, and forbid employees from using 

the County’s purchase system to make personal purchases. The regulations also provide that 

false or unauthorized transactions using the County’s purchasing system are grounds for 

discipline including discharge from employment. (Lawson Decl. ¶6).

In particular, the purchasing policies informed Brown that the “purpose of a valid 

Purchase Order is to serve as authorization for a County representative to enter into a transaction 

for goods and services on behalf of the County Commission.” Policy GPP-8 states “Buyers are 

to process only properly approved requisitions” and further states “buyers are the only personnel 

authorized to enter into transactions for goods and services on behalf of Mobile County.” Policy 

GPP-4 states a “Purchase Order is required any time permission for the purchase of a good or 

service has not already been established through another Commission-approved method.” Policy

GPP-2 provides that “personnel ... who initiate an unauthorized transaction may be terminated or 

subject to some other disciplinary action”. Policy GPP-13 similarly states the “designated 

responsible employee must authenticate all goods ... received. Personnel ... who falsely 

authenticate receiving goods ... for the benefit of the County ... may be terminated or subject to 

some other disciplinary action”. (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 2).

C. Investigation of Plaintiff’s Misconduct

 4 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 2).

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The events leading to Brown’s discharge began with a report on November 6, 2013, from 

Robert Howell, a parts runner for the Public Works Department. On that day, Howell reported 

that he went on a parts run for another buyer to a vendor named Clutch & Powertrain. Clutch & 

Powertrain employee Lee Mullin gave Howell two axels, seals and bearings to deliver to Brown. 

When Howell returned to Camp 1, he put the seals and bearings on Brown's desk and gave her 

the receipt from Clutch & Powertrain. At Brown's request, Howell put the axels in her personal 

vehicle in the Camp 1 parking lot. (Lawson Decl. ¶9).

Howell apparently felt uneasy about this transaction and reported the matter to his 

supervisor. Howell was directed to prepare a written statement5 and to contact Clutch & 

Powertrain to request the vendor to fax over a copy of the invoice.6 (Lawson Decl. ¶9). Howell’s 

statement recites:

While out making my morning parts runs one of the parts buyers Eddie Rome called me 

on the county radio about 10: AM and ask me if I could run by Clutch Products and pick 

up a clutch that was ready. While I was their Lee, a salesman ask me to take some parts 

to Karen Brown the other parts buyer. I ask if there was a purchase order number on the 

ticket Lee said it was, so I loaded the clutch, axles, bearings and seals in the county 

pickup and returned to the shop. When I went in to the parts room I ask Karen where she 

wanted the parts she said that for me to put them in her car, so I put the axles in her car 

and gave her the rest. I thought about it and went and talk to the Supervisor Keith Weed 

and he called Robert Gordon Equipment Service Manager, Keith told me that Robert told 

him to put the paper work in an envelope and for me to bring it to him and I did.

(Lawson Decl. Exhibit 7).

It was the understanding of Brown’s superiors at the time that Brown owned a 2003 Ford 

Crown Victoria. The parts retrieved by Howell and placed on Brown’s desk and in her car were 

for a Ford Crown Victoria / Grand Marquis. This type of vehicle is not used by the Public 

 5 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 7) (copy of Howell’s statement)

6 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 9) (a copy of Clutch & Powertrain invoice 392235 dated 11/6/2013 (time stamp 

10:43 a.m. signed by Howell)

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Works Department at Camp 1 and is not one for which Brown purchases parts. The Clutch & 

Powertrain invoice reflects the purchase of two axels at a price of $125.00 apiece, and associated 

seals and bearings with a total non-taxable price of $285.68. No tax would be due on the 

transaction if the County were the actual customer. (Lawson Decl. ¶10).

After learning about these events, Brown’s supervisor Fletcher Robinson wrote to

Superintendent Lawson stating his belief Brown had violated policy and should be disciplined.7

They proceeded to investigate the matter further. (Lawson Decl. ¶9).

The Clutch & Powertrain invoice referenced a County Purchase Order P195581. 

Subsequent investigation revealed Brown had created Purchase Order 195581 addressed to 

Clutch & Powertrain for two PTO gears at a cost of $125.00 each.8 These PTO gears are used in 

a rotary cutter gear box and are actually sold for $225.00 apiece. (Lawson Decl. ¶10).

Terry McCawley, a Clutch & Powertrain sales representative, provided a written

statement during the investigation.9 (Lawson Decl. ¶11). The statement recited:

On Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at about 6:30 A.M., I received a call on my cell phone 

from Karen (Purchasing Agent). She said that she needed two axles for a Crown Vic and 

wanted to know if I carried them. I told her that I did.

I was curious to the fact that she would be buying Crown Vic parts so I asked her if they 

were for a cruiser. She said, “Yes.” I assumed that one of the cruisers must have broken 

down near camp one.

She asked me if I would call her with a price when I got to work. I said I would. At work 

I made a quote ticket and called Karen with a price. She thanked me and said that she 

would call me back with a purchase order number. Shortly after talking with her I had to 

leave town.

 7 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 6) (Robinson’s 11/6/2013 letter to Lawson)

8 Lawson Decl. Exhibit 12) (a copy of the “Clutch & Powertrain” “PTO” Purchase Order 195581)

9 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 8) (copy of McCawley’s statement)

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Later that morning our salesman, Lee Mullen, received purchase order Number P195581 

for the two axles, bearings and seals. 

(Lawson Decl. Exhibit 8).

Lawson concluded that Howell’s unexpected delivery of the axels and other parts directly 

to Brown at Camp 1 appeared to have alerted Brown to the fact that her use of a County purchase 

order for personal use might be discovered. Subsequent investigation revealed the following 

efforts appeared to have been made to cover her tracks. (Lawson Decl. ¶11).

First, at 12:01 p.m., about an hour after Howell brought the axles and other parts for 

Brown’s car to Camp 1, Clutch & Powertrain generated a credit for the items showing the 

County would not be charged.10 Clutch & Powertrain’s records show Brown’s husband, James,

paid for those items just two minutes later, at 12:03 p.m.11 Second, Brown generated a new

purchase order using the same P195581 number as on the Clutch & Powertrain purchase order. 

This order was addressed to Hillman Oil Company for a $31.22 tension gear.12 But Hillman 

Oil’s invoice for the tension gear, dated November 7, 2013 and signed by Brown, indicates the

original purchase order used in communicating with the vendor was P195582.13 (Lawson Decl.

¶¶12-13).

Further investigation revealed that, on November 7, 2013, Brown created purchase order 

P195653 to O'Reilly Automotive Stores to buy sealant, pag oil, spark plugs, and ten wheel 

 10 A copy of Clutch & Powertrain charge credit 392240 dated 11/6/2013 (time stamp 12:01 p.m.) is 

enclosed as Exhibit 10.

11 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 11) (copy of Clutch & Powertrain invoice 392241 dated 11/6/2013 (time stamp 

12:03 p.m., signed by James Brown)

12 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 13) (copy of the “Hillman Oil” “tension gear” purchase order)

13 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 14) (copy of the Hillman Oil invoice dated November 7, 2013 signed by Brown)

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studs.14 These wheel studs fit a Ford Crown Victoria / Grand Marquis. The wheel studs and 

other items were delivered to Camp 1 and signed for by Brown at the end of the work day 

on November 7, 2013.15 Brown should not have signed for and accepted the wheel studs if they 

had been delivered in error. (Lawson Decl. ¶14).

During the investigation, Lawson learned that, over the weekend of November 9-10,

2013 an off-duty County employee installed the axels on Brown's 2003 Crown Victoria. he also 

learned that, on November 12, 2013, Brown returned the wheel studs to O'Reilly for a credit to 

the County.16 Brown later generated an amended purchase order P195653 deleting the studs.17 

(Lawson Decl. ¶15).

D. Civil Service Protections For Plaintiff’s Job

Brown was a civil service employee with various job protections created by Alabama

Local Act No. 470. This local act also created an independent entity, the Mobile County

Personnel Board, to supervise and administer the civil service system. The Personnel Board has

enacted rules and regulations governing the conduct of civil service employees and employers 

within its jurisdiction.18 Personnel Board Rule 14.2 provides that a civil service employee may 

be dismissed for “cause.” Rule 14.2(l) defines “cause” for dismissal as including “violation of 

any lawful or reasonable regulation or order made and given by a superior officer.” Section

 14 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 15) (copy of the original purchase order 195653)

15 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 17) (copy of the 11/7/2013 invoice (time stamp 17:00.17) referencing Purchase 

Order P195653 and listing the ten wheel studs signed by Brown)

16 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 18) (copy of the 11/12/2013 return receipt (time stamp 9:25:35))

17 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 16) (copy of the amended purchase order P195653)

18 Local Act 470 and the “Rules and Regulations” as revised through April 16, 2013 are available 

online at<http://www.personnelboard.org/Laws_Rules.html>.

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22(a) of Local Act 470 provides for civil service employees like Brown to appeal a discharge to 

the Personnel Board.19 Under Sections 24 and 29 of the Local Act 470, discharged employees 

have full procedural rights to contest a discharge because the Personnel Board has the authority 

to investigate, subpoena witnesses, conduct hearings, and compel sworn testimony concerning an 

employee’s discharge.20

E. Termination of Plaintiff’s Employment

At a pre-disciplinary hearing on November 15, 2013, Superintendent Lawson provided 

Brown an opportunity to respond to his conclusion that she had generated purchase orders for 

parts for her personal vehicle. Lawson also reminded Brown of a previous verbal reprimand for 

using a County purchase order for personal reasons. Brown denied any misconduct, blamed the 

Clutch & Powertrain employees for changing the purchase order and for erroneously having the 

parts delivered to her, and blamed O’Reilly for delivering wheel studs which she claimed she had 

only inquired about. Lawson did not find Brown’s story credible. (Lawson Decl. ¶16).

During the pre-disciplinary hearing, Brown also speculated to Lawson that she was being

“persecuted” by Raymond Shelly who allegedly harbored “a desire to get rid of” her. There are

no facts to support her accusation because Shelly had nothing to do with the investigation 

outlined above or Lawson’s recommendation of termination to Commissioner Ludgood and 

Director of Public Works / County Engineer Ruffer or their discharge decision. Lawson denies 

any allegation that Brown’s race or sex was the reason for her discharge. (Lawson Decl. ¶17).

 19 Laws and Rules, p.17.

20 Laws and Rules, pp.21, 23.

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Commission President Merceria Ludgood (black female) and Director of Public Works / 

County Engineer Joe Ruffer (white male) actually made the decision to discharge Brown based 

on Lawson’s recommendation following an investigation and a pre-disciplinary hearing with 

Brown on November 15, 2013. (Lawson Decl. ¶7). As stated in a letter to the Mobile County 

Personnel Board dated November 22, 2013 written by Lawson and approved by Ludgood and

Ruffer,21 Brown’s superiors “believe[d] that in ... two purchases made on November 6, 2013,

and November 7, 2013, you [Brown] created Mobile County purchase orders to vendors for 

items that you [Brown] needed for your [Brown’s] own personal use.”

Brown appealed her termination to the Personnel Board.22 The Personnel Board held a

trial on February 18, 2014. Brown was represented by a very experienced employment attorney 

who had an opportunity to cross-examine Lawson and other County witnesses. Brown, her 

husband, and a co-worker witness she called also had an opportunity to testify. The Personnel 

Board did not believe Brown’s story and upheld the termination by written order dated February

25, 2014.23 (Lawson Decl. ¶8). In particular, the Personnel Board found as follows:

The Board finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the Appointing Authority 

sustained its burden of proving that the employee violated Mobile County Personnel 

Board Rule 14.2(1), violation of any reasonable regulation or order made and given, by 

using a county purchase order number to obtain parts for her personal vehicle.

The Personnel Board has carefully considered the memory, narration and perception of 

the witnesses and their demeanor as well as all of the exhibits introduced in evidence. 

The Board credits the testimony of Terry McCawley that Ms. Brown inquired about the 

availability of axels for a Crown Victoria, told McCawley that the parts were needed by 

her employer to repair a cruiser, and told him she would send the vendor a county 

purchase order for the axels. The Board rejects the testimony of Ms. Brown that the 

vendor somehow mistakenly associated the axels she sought to buy for her personal 

 21 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 3) Brown also attached a copy of this letter to her complaint. [Doc.4 pages 68-69]

22 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 4) (copy of Brown’s 12/2/2013 appeal notice) 23 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 5) (copy of the Personnel Board’s 2/25/2014 order)

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vehicle with County purchase order number 195581 for two PTO gears. The 

Board finds Ms. Brown's explanation of the reason she prepared the purchase order 

for the PTO gears unconvincing at best. The Board is cognizant of the fact that the 

County did not incur any expense as a result of her misuse of the purchase order number, 

but Ms. Brown should not have misused the purchase order number in the first place.

(Lawson Decl. Exhibit 5) (emphasis added).

F. No Disparate Treatment of Eddie Rome (White Male Auto Parts Buyer)

In a charge of discrimination Brown filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission after her discharge, she accused Lawson of treating her differently than another 

Auto Parts Buyer named Eddie Rome.24 In particular, she contended: “In April 2013, Eddie 

Rome (White, Auto Parts Buyer) purchased $5,000-$7,0000 [sic] worth of cleaning supplies 

from a vendor in exchange for staying at the vendor's beach property in Gulf Shores, AL. 

Lawson suspended Rome for 10 days and did not terminate his employment.” [Doc.4 page 20].

Rome was suspended for 10 days in 2013 for staying in a vendor employee’s beach house 

without paying rent. But Brown’s accusation that Rome “purchased $5,000-$7,0000 [sic] worth 

of cleaning supplies from a vendor in exchange for staying at the vendor's beach property” is 

wholly false. Zep, Inc. has been a regular vendor for the County for more than a quarter-century,

and Rome had no authority to “steer away” business from Zep had he been “denied” the use of

the beach property. Lawson never saw any evidence that there was no “exchange” promised or 

made between Rome and Zep’s employee. (Lawson Decl. ¶18).

Rome was interviewed on July 10, 2013 concerning his stay at the beach house owned by 

Zep’s employee, Larry Miller. Rome freely admitted he did so without paying rent. But he 

 24 Brown attached this charge to her complaint. [Doc.4 page 20]

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answered “no” when asked “were there any promises or deals made to pay for the stay at the Bay 

house?”25 Lawson never received any information to contradict this denial. (Lawson Decl. ¶19).

Commissioner Ludgood and Director of Public Works / County Engineer Ruffer actually

made the decision to suspend Rome based on Lawson’s recommendation. (Lawson Decl. ¶19). In 

a letter to the Personnel Board dated August 1, 2013 approved by Ludgood and Ruffer,26 Lawson 

summarized the reasons for his suspension recommendation as follows:

On Monday, July 22, 2013, a pre-disciplinary hearing was held on Mr. Eddie Rome, Auto 

Parks Buyer in Department 96, for violation of Mobile County Personnel Board Rule 

14.2 (1) violation of any lawful or reasonable regulations or order made and given by a 

superior officer. In violation of the Alabama Ethics Law, he accepted benefits offered to 

him by a vendor.

At this hearing, Mr. Rome told us that one day in April, Mr. Larry Miller, a salesman for 

Zep products, was in the shop and mentioned that his family had a vacation house on 

Mobile Bay at Mullett Point. Mr. Rome told him that he was looking for a place to take 

his family for spring break and asked Mr. Miller if he rented it. Mr. Miller told him that 

he didn't rent it, but the place was unoccupied most of the year and that when someone 

wanted to use it, he would let them. Mr. Miller told the group of people that it needed to 

be used, because if no one used it, things would break and it was his responsibility to 

keep it maintained.

At some time later in April, Mr. Rome contacted Mr. Miller and asked him if he could 

use his house. Mr. Miller told that that he was welcome to use it. Mr. Rome stayed at the 

house for approximately one week for spring break.

In July, I was made aware of this and questioned Mr. Rome. He told me that he had 

stayed at Mr. Miller's house. I told him that I would need to hold a pre- disciplinary 

hearing on this because he had violated the Alabama Ethics Law by accepting something 

of value from a vendor.

(Lawson Decl. Exhibit 20).

In Lawson’s opinion, having investigated both Brown and Rome, their actions were not 

comparable. Brown misused the purchase order system for personal gain in violation of multiple 

 25 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 19) (copy of the transcript of the interview)

26 (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 20)

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purchasing policies and did so even after a previous warning for similar conduct. Brown 

attempted to cover up her misconduct and lied about it when she was caught. Rome offered to 

rent the beach house, but the owner told him that rent was not necessary and that Rome could use 

the beach house without any payment. Rome had not been previously warned about similar 

misconduct, did not misuse any County procedures, did not attempt to cover up anything, and did 

not lie about his conduct when it was discovered. Lawson believed a suspension and $300 rental 

payment was the appropriate discipline instead of termination which was why that was Lawson’s 

recommendation. Lawson denies any claim that this level of discipline was imposed because 

Rome is white or a man or that he would have been fired based on these facts had he been black 

or a woman like Brown. (Lawson Decl. ¶20).

G. No Retaliation for Plaintiff’s October 2011 Grievance

Also in the EEOC charge of discrimination Brown filed after her termination, she 

asserted “I believe I was discriminated against ... in retaliation for filing a grievance in 

December 2011.” [Doc.4 page 20]. Brown’s beliefs are unsupported by fact. The County is not 

aware of a grievance Brown filed in December 2011, but is aware of a grievance she filed on 

October 20, 2011, which was finally resolved on December 16, 2011.27 (Lawson Decl ¶21). 

Brown’s grievance accused Garage Supervisor Shelly as follows:

On October 13, 2011 there was an attack on me by Mr. Raymond Shelley. He became 

raged about and order that came in. This order was for one of the outside, Camp 2. As we 

were unloading the order he (Mr. Raymond Shelley stormed into the parts room cursing

about the order. I handed him the form to which was camp 2. He continued cursing and 

swearing which this happens very often. Mr. Fletcher Robinson (my Boss), Mr. David 

(the outside vendor) of Quality Electric, Mr. Eddie Rome (parts buyer) and Mr. Julius 

Yancey were present. Mr. Shelley threaten my position, He said that Mr. Robert 

Gordon gave him these orders. That all approval should come to him for his approval. He 

 27 (Lawson Decl Exhibit 21) (copy of the 10/20/2011 grievance); (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 22) (copy of the 

“Step 2” grievance committee ruling dated December 14, 2011); (Lawson Decl. Exhibit 23) (copy of Lawson’s letter 

to the Personnel Board dated December 16, 2011 recommending discipline)

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stated that when the layoff come he only going to have one buyer and that he did not give 

a damn who approves or disapprove. He was cursing in a bad way. This action was very 

unprofessional and should not be part of the workplace. According to the Law of Human 

Right of 1964 no persons should be harassed and cursed as part of any workplace.

(Lawson Decl Exhibit 21) (typographic errors in original).

During the grievance process, Shelly admitted he raised his voice because he was upset 

about an order Brown had placed for a case of graffiti remover for Camp 2 without his approval. 

He stated that his remarks were not directed at any one person. He apologized to Brown and 

promised not to lose his temper again. Following the grievance process, Shelly was reprimanded 

and required to take a three-day supervisory and management anger management class provided 

by the Personnel Board. (Lawson Decl. ¶21).

Shelly had nothing to do with the investigation of Brown’s November 2013 misconduct, 

did not recommend her termination, and did not make the decision to terminate her. Brown’s 

grievance in 2011 had nothing at all to do with Lawson’s 2013 investigation and 

recommendation for her to be discharged. (Lawson Decl. ¶21).

III. Summary Judgment Standard 

“The 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.” FED.

R. CIV. P. 56(a) (Dec. 2010). Rule 56(c) provides as follows:

(1) Supporting Factual Positions. A party asserting that a fact cannot be or is 

genuinely disputed must support the assertion by:

(A) citing to particular parts of materials in the record, including 

depositions, documents, electronically stored information, affidavits or 

declarations, stipulations (including those made for purposes of the motion only), 

admissions, interrogatory answers, or other materials; or

(B) showing that the materials cited do not establish the absence or 

presence of a genuine dispute, or that an adverse party cannot produce admissible 

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evidence to support the fact.

(2) Objection That a Fact Is Not Supported by Admissible Evidence. A party 

may object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot be presented 

in a form that would be admissible in evidence.

(3) Materials Not Cited. The court need consider only the cited materials, but it 

may consider other materials in the record.

(4) Affidavits or Declarations. An affidavit or declaration used to support or 

oppose a motion must be made on personal knowledge, set out facts that would be 

admissible in evidence, and show that the affiant or declarant is competent to 

testify on the matters stated. 

FED.R.CIV.P. Rule 56(c) (Dec. 2010). The party seeking summary judgment bears the “initial 

responsibility of informing the district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those 

portions of ‘the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, 

together with the affidavits, if any,’ which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue 

of material fact.” Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991) (quoting 

Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986)). If the nonmoving party fails to make “a 

sufficient showing on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden 

of proof,” the moving party is entitled to summary judgment. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. “In 

reviewing whether the nonmoving party has met its burden, the court must stop short of 

weighing the evidence and making credibility determinations of the truth of the matter. Instead, 

the evidence of the non-movant is to be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in 

his favor.” Tipton v. Bergrohr GMBH-Siegen, 965 F.2d 994, 998-999 (11th Cir. 1992) (internal 

citations and quotations omitted).

IV. Conclusions of Law

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against 

employees on the basis of race and sex and from retaliating against employees for protected

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activities, such as complaining about race or sex discrimination. 42 U.S.C. §2000e2(a)(1).

Absent direct evidence28 of discrimination or retaliation, a plaintiff may 

establish a discrimination or retaliation claim by circumstantial evidence using the threestep burden shifting framework established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 

792, 802-04, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 1824-25 (1973). Wilson v. B/E Aerospace, Inc., 376 F.3d 1079, 

1087 (11th Cir. 2004); Chapman v. AI Transp., 229 F.3d 1012, 1024 (11th Cir. 2000) (en banc). 

In this case, Brown at all times bears the burden of producing sufficient evidence to show that 

her race, sex, or alleged protected activity “actually played a role in [the employer's decisionmaking] process and had a determinative influence on the outcome.” Reeves, v. Sanderson 

Plumbing Products, Inc., 530 U.S. 133, 120 S. Ct. 2097, 2105 (2000) (quoting Hazen Paper Co. 

v. Biggins, 507 U.S. 604, 610 (1993)). Brown’s pro se status does “not absolve[ her] of [her] 

duty to provide the court with specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” 

Owens v. Lighthouse Counseling Center, Inc., 2009 WL 1204359 *7 (M.D. Ala. 2009) (DeMent, 

Sr. J., adopting recommended opinion of Coody, Magistrate J.) (citing Brown v. Crawford, 906 

F.2d 667, 670 (11th Cir.1990).

[A plaintiff’s] own unsubstantiated opinion that the termination decision was

somehow motivated by race is not an appropriate proxy for evidence. ... [S]elf- serving 

rhetoric, with no attendant facts, is simply insufficient to defeat summary judgment. ... 

“[U]nsubstantiated assertions alone are not enough to withstand a motion for summary 

judgment.”

Id. (quoting Rollins v. TechSouth, Inc., 833 F.2d 1525, 1529 (11th Cir.1987).

 28 “The Eleventh Circuit has severely limited the type of language constituting direct evidence of 

discrimination.” Patterson-Rudolph v. Jackson Hosp. & Clinic, Inc., 2009 WL 2738272 *5 n.6 (M.D. Ala. 2009) 

(Thompson, J., adopting recommended opinion of Coody, Magistrate J.). “Direct evidence of employment 

discrimination consists of statements by a person with control over the employment decision sufficient to prove 

discrimination without inference or presumption.” Id. (internal quotation marks and citation deleted).

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A. Brown Cannot Establish a Prima Facie Case of Retaliation.

In Univ. of Texas Sw. Med. Ctr. v. Nassar, 2013 WL 3155234, *14 (June 24, 2013), the 

Supreme Court held: “Title VII retaliation claims must be proved according to traditional 

principles of but-for causation, not the lessened causation test stated in § 2000e– 2(m). This 

requires proof that the unlawful retaliation would not have occurred in the absence of the alleged 

wrongful action or actions of the employer.” To establish a prima facie circumstantial 

case of retaliation under Title VII, “a plaintiff must show that (1) she engaged in statutorily 

protected expression; (2) she suffered an adverse employment action; and (3) there is a causal 

connection between the two events.” Johnson v. Booker T. Washington Broad. Serv., Inc., 234 

F.3d 501, 507 (11th Cir. 2000) (quotations omitted). Brown fails to make a prima facie case of 

retaliation for lack of two of the three elements.

Despite the vague reference to “the Law of Human Right of 1964,” nothing in the 

grievance or subsequent grievance proceedings indicated Brown truly believed at the time Shelly 

was cursing her or threatening her simply because she was black or a woman or both – she just 

mistakenly believes the law imposes a general civility code in the workplace. Accordingly, 

Brown’s October 2011 grievance is not “protected activity” under Title VII.

Moreover, there is no evidence whatsoever to link Brown’s October 2011 grievance to 

Brown’s November 2013 termination. The two-year passage of time29 between the grievance

 29 The Eleventh Circuit has found that "in the absence of any other evidence of causation, a three and onehalf month proximity between a protected activity and an adverse employment action is insufficient to create a jury 

issue on causation." Drago v. Jenne, 453 F.3d 1301, 1308 (11th Cir. 2006); see also Thomas v. Cooper Lighting, 

Inc., 506 F.3d 1361, 1364 (11th Cir. 2007) (three to four month period between the protected activity is not "very 

close" temporal proximity); Higdon, 393 F.3d at 1221 ("By itself, the three month period ... does not allow a 

reasonable inference of a causal relation between the protected expression and the adverse action."); Maniccia v. 

Brown, 171 F.3d 1364, 1370 (11th Cir. 1999) (citing Conner v. Schnuck Markets, Inc., 121 F.3d 1390, 1395 (10th 

Cir. 1997) (4-month lag between protected activity and termination not sufficient to justify an inference of 

causation)).

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and the termination indicates there is no connection between the two. And it is undisputed that 

Shelly had nothing to do with the investigation of Brown’s November 2013 misconduct, did not

recommend her termination, and did not make the decision to terminate her.

B. Brown Cannot Establish a Prima Facie Case of Race or Sex Discrimination.

“[W]hen an employee alleges that his discharge resulted from the employer's alleged 

racial [or sexual] animus in disciplining employees for violations of work rules ... [to establish a 

prima facie case, the] employee must show the following: (1) that he is a member of a protected 

class; (2) that he was qualified for the job; (3) that he suffered an adverse employment action; (4) 

that he ‘has engaged - either (a) disputedly or (b) admittedly - in misconduct similar to persons 

outside the protected class’; and (5) ‘that similarly situated, nonminority employees (that is, 

persons outside the protected class) received more favorable treatment.’” Smith v. 

Hyundai Motor Mfg. Alabama, LLC, 2008 WL 1698207 *6 (M.D. Ala. 2008) (DeMent, Sr. J.) 

(quoting Jones v. Bessemer Carraway Medical Ctr., 137 F.3d 1306, 1311 n.6 (11th Cir.), 

modified on reh’g by 151 F.3d 1321 (11th Cir. 1998)).30 Brown meets the first three elements,

but cannot satisfy the fourth or fifth element.

Brown cannot establish a prima facie case simply by denying that she violated the 

County’s purchasing policies. Instead, as the Eleventh Circuit held in Jones v. Bessemer 

Carraway Medical Ctr., she must show that similarly situated white or male employees, who also 

were charged with and who also denied violating the purchasing policies, were treated more 

favorably than she was:

[N]o plaintiff can make out a prima facie case by showing just that she belongs to a 

protected class and that she did not violate her employer’s work rule. The plaintiff must 

 30 The Eleventh Circuit modified an unrelated part of this opinion (relating to “direct” evidence) on 

rehearing, but reaffirmed its original holding that the plaintiff had failed to show a prima facie case. 151 F.3d at 

1322-1324.

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point to someone similarly situated (but outside the protected class) who disputed a 

violation of the work rule and who was, in fact, treated better.

137 F.3d at 1311 n.6. And in conducting the comparator analysis, this Court must remain 

mindful that anti-discrimination law "does not take away an employer's right to interpret its rules 

as it chooses, and to make determinations as it sees fit under those rules.” Silvera v. Orange

County Sch. Bd., 244 F.3d 1253, 1259 (11th Cir. 2001) (internal quotations omitted). For this 

reason, the employer's perception as to the severity of the employee's conduct is relevant in 

determining whether the employee and the comparator are similarly situated in all relevant 

respects. See Nix v. WLCY Radio/Rahall Comm., 738 F.2d 1181, 1186 (11th Cir. 1984)

(explaining if an employer applies a rule differently to people it believes are differently situated, 

no discriminatory intent has been shown).

Brown cannot establish a prima facie case of race or sex discrimination by claiming 

disparate treatment of her white male co-worker, Eddie Rome. Such an attempted comparison 

would fail the rigorous comparator analysis applied by this Court: “’We require that the quantity 

and quality of the comparator's misconduct be nearly identical to prevent courts from secondguessing employers' reasonable decisions and confusing apples with oranges.’” Frith v. Baldwin 

Cnty. Comm'n, CIV.A. 07-0727-CG-B, 2009 WL 921062 (S.D. Ala. Mar. 31, 2009) (quoting 

Maniccia v. Brown, 171 F.3d 1364, 1368 (11th Cir.1999)). In the County’s reasonable view, 

Brown’s and Rome’s actions were not comparable. Brown misused the purchase order system 

for personal gain in violation of multiple purchasing policies and did so even after a previous 

warning for similar conduct. Brown attempted to cover up her misconduct and lied about it when

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she was caught.31 Rome offered to rent the beach house, but the owner told him that rent was not

necessary and that Rome could use the beach house without any payment. Rome had not been 

previously warned about similar misconduct, did not misuse any County procedures, did not 

attempt to cover up anything, and did not lie about his conduct when it was discovered.

C. The County Had Legitimate, Non-Pretextual Reasons for the Discharge.

Under the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework, if a plaintiff establishes a 

prima facie case of discrimination or retaliation, the defendant must “articulate” one more 

legitimate, non- discriminatory reasons for the challenged employment action. Chapman v. AI 

Transport, 229 F.3d 1012, 1024 (11th Cir. 2000) (en banc). The employer’s burden in this 

regard is “exceedingly light.” Turnes v. AmSouth Bank, N.A., 36 F.3d 1057, 1061 (11th 

Cir.1994). “[T]the employer's burden is merely one of production; it ‘need not persuade the 

court that it was actually motivated by the proffered reasons. It is sufficient if the defendant's 

evidence raises a genuine issue of fact as to whether it discriminated against the plaintiff.’” 

Chapman, supra (quoting Texas Dep't of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 254-55, 

101 S.Ct. 1089, 1094 (1981)).

The County has met this burden by articulating the decision-makers’ reasonable belief 

based on the investigation that Brown misled vendors, misused the purchasing system in a 

manner for which she had received prior warning, and attempted to cover up her misconduct. As 

a general proposition, an employee’s failure to follow an employer’s rules is a legitimate

 31 See Boyland v. Corr. Corp. of Am., 390 Fed. Appx. 973, 975-976 (11th Cir. 2010) (In case where 

employer “proffered that it fired Boyland for violating a work policy [regarding security breaches] and 

lying during a subsequent internal investigation,” evidence of other employees’ security breaches was insufficient 

in part because there was “no evidence that any of the other employees who committed breaches lied in the course 

of the subsequent investigation.”) (underlining added); Melton v. Nat'l Dairy LLC, 705 F. Supp. 2d 1303, 1319-1321 

(M.D. Ala. 2010) (Moorer, Mag. J.) (A comparison between “Melton [who] was accused of lying ... [with] Brown 

[who] damaged equipment” was not sufficient – “The quantity and quality of the misconduct is not nearly identical 

as required. Rather, the misconduct is not similar at all.”).

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nondiscriminatory reason for a discharge. Busby v. City of Orlando, 931 F.2d 764, 777 (11th Cir.

1991). And the “employer's good faith belief” the employee violated the employer’s rules, even 

if there was no rule violation in fact, is also a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason for a 

termination. Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 990 F.2d 1217, 1228 (11th Cir. 1992); Jones v. 

Gerwens, 874 F.2d 1534, 1540 (11th Cir. 1989) (“The law is clear that, even if a . . . claimant did 

not in fact commit the violation with which he is charged, an employer successfully rebuts any 

prima facie case of disparate treatment by showing that it honestly believed the employee 

committed the violation.”). See also Perryman v. First United Methodist Church, 2007 

U.S.Dist. LEXIS 15513, 16-17 (M.D. Ala. Mar. 5, 2007) (“Disobeying the [employer]'s policy is 

doubtless a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason to fire an employee.”); Sears v. PHP of 

Alabama, Inc., 2:05CV304-ID, 2006 WL 932044, *16 (M.D. Ala. Apr. 10, 2006) (where 

plaintiff contended she was retaliated against because she complained about sexual harassment 

on May 4 and was discharged on May 11, court ruled employer successfully showed an 

intervening legitimate reason for the discharge – her “involvement in [a] brawl which occurred at 

the group home [where she worked] on May 10”).

Once the County meets its burden, any presumption of retaliation created by the prima 

facie case falls away, and the burden shifts back to Brown to show the reasons are merely 

pretexts for illegal retaliation and the real reason for her discharge was her alleged 2011 

grievance. The employee must demonstrate that the stated reason is “‘a pretext for 

discrimination’” by producing evidence “both that the reason was false, and that discrimination 

was the real reason.” St. Mary’s Honor Ctr. v. Hicks, 509 U. S. 502, 515, 113 S. Ct. 2742, 2752 

(1993) (italics in original). “Provided that the proffered reason is one that might motivate a 

reasonable employer, an employee must meet that reason head on and rebut it, and the employee 

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cannot succeed by simply quarreling with the wisdom of that reason.” Chapman v. AI Transport,

229 F.3d 1012, 1030 (11th Cir. 2000).

Brown’s belief she did not commit misconduct is irrelevant for purposes of showing 

pretext. “The inquiry into pretext centers on the employer's beliefs, not the employee's beliefs, 

and to be blunt about it, not on reality as it exists outside of the decision maker's head.” Alvarez 

v. Royal Atl. Developers, Inc., 610 F.3d 1253, 1266 (11th Cir. 2010). In analyzing pretext 

issues, the court "must be careful not to allow ... plaintiffs simply to litigate whether they are, in 

fact, good employees." Rojas v. Florida, 285 F.3d 1339, 1342 (11th Cir. 2002).

The issue is not whether Brown “really was [at] fault .... The question is whether her 

employer [was] dissatisfied [due to] nondiscriminatory reasons, even if mistakenly or unfairly 

so”. Alvarez, supra. Federal courts "do not sit as a super-personnel department that re-examines 

an entity's business decisions." Elrod v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 939 F.2d 1466, 1470 (11th Cir. 

1991). “An employer may fire an employee for good reason, a bad reason, a reason based on

erroneous facts, or for no reason at all, as long as its action is not for a discriminatory reason.” 

Nix v. WLCY Radio/Rahall Comm., 738 F.2d 1181, 1186 (11th Cir. 1984). Asking a court to 

determine “whether a business decision is wise or nice or accurate ... is precluded by [law]." 

Rojas, 285 F.3d at 1344. “The reasonableness of the decision maker's belief is not at issue in 

employment suits, and so, the question of whether an employer's honest belief has a basis in fact 

is not a proper question to be considered on summary judgment.” Garcia-Cabrera v. Cohen, 81

F.Supp.2d 1272, 1282 (M.D. Ala. 2000) (Albritton, C.J.). Accord Silvera v. Orange County 

School Board, 244 F.3d 1253, 1261 (11th Cir. 2001) (An “employer who treats two employees 

differently because of a mistaken belief in the existence of a neutral reason does not violate Title 

VII.”); Damon v. Fleming Supermarkets, 196 F.3d 1354, 1363 n.3 (11th Cir. 1999) (“An 

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employer who fires an employee under the mistaken but honest impression that the employee 

violated a work rule is not liable for discriminatory conduct.”); Smith v. Papp Clinic, P.A., 808

F.2d 1449, 1452-53 (11th Cir. 1987) (“[I]f the employer fired an employee because it honestly 

believed that the employee had violated a Company policy, even if it was mistaken in such 

belief, the termination is not 'because of race’”.).

Brown cannot establish pretext by arguing the County did not lose any money or pay for 

anything which it did not actually purchase. She was fired because her employer concluded she

should not have been misusing the purchasing system in the first place, regardless of whether she

got away with it. “Title VII does not take away an employer's right to interpret its rules as it 

chooses, and to make determinations as it sees fit under those rules.” Jones, 137 F.3d at 1311 

(quoting Nix v. WLCY Radio/Rahall Comm., 738 F.2d 1181, 1187 (11th Cir.1984)). 

Accord Foster v. Mid State Land & Timber Co., Inc., 2007 WL 3287345 *13, *14 (M.D. Ala. 

2007) (DeMent, Sr. J.) (A plaintiff “cannot survive summary judgment simply by proffering 

excuses for his conduct” and cannot “merely disagree[] with [the employer]'s application of the 

policy to his conduct”.).

Brown cannot establish pretext by claiming the vendors and her co-workers lied about 

her during the investigation without further proof that the decision-makers knew her co-workers 

and the vendors were lying about her. When an employer has “contradictory accounts of 

historical events, the employer can lawfully make a choice between the conflicting versions -

that is, to accept one as true and to reject one as fictitious - at least, as long as the choice is an

honest choice." E.E.O.C. v. Total Sys. Servs., Inc., 221 F.3d 1171, 1176 (11th Cir. 

2000).

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Accordingly, the relevant question is whether the decision-makers did not honestly 

choose to believe the vendors and co-workers instead of Brown, as the Eleventh Circuit held in 

Elrod:

Much of Elrod's proof at trial centered around whether Elrod was in fact guilty of the 

sexual harassment allegations leveled at him by his former co-workers. We can assume 

for purposes of this opinion that the complaining employees interviewed by Rives were 

lying through their teeth. The inquiry of the ADEA is limited to whether [the decisionmakers] believed that Elrod was guilty of harassment, and if so, whether this belief was 

the reason behind Elrod's discharge.

939 F.2d at 1470 (emphasis added). Accord Halford v. Westpoint Home, Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. 

LEXIS 81762, 20 (M.D. Ala. Aug. 11, 2010) (Where the employer fired the plaintiff after two 

women accused him of sexual harassment, plaintiff “cannot carry this burden [of showing 

pretext] by simply asserting that [they] lied”); Batts v. Silver Line Bldg. Prods. Corp., 2010 U.S. 

Dist. LEXIS 22794, 42-43 (N.D. Ga. Feb. 22, 2010) (Scofield, Mag. J.) (Plaintiff’s contention

“the witnesses who alleged that Plaintiff refused to fix the machine lied during the course of the 

investigation” was not sufficient to show pretext.).

V. Conclusion

Brown cannot show a prima facie case of race or sex discrimination due to the lack of 

similarly-situated white or male co-workers who engaged in essentially identical misconduct but 

who were not discharged. Brown cannot show a prima facie case of retaliation because her 

October 2011 grievance was not protected activity, and there is no causal link between that 

grievance and her discharge over two years later. Brown also cannot establish that the County’s 

articulated reasons for her discharge are false and a pretext for discrimination. She merely seeks 

to substitute her judgment and personal opinions regarding this employment decision, which is 

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insufficient as a matter of law. The County is entitled to summary judgment dismissing her 

termination claim with prejudice. 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED that Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment on 

Plaintiff’s discriminatory/retaliatory termination claim (Docs. 12, 13, 17) is GRANTED.

DONE and ORDERED this the 6th day of January 2015.

/s/ Kristi K. DuBose

KRISTI K. DuBOSE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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