Opinion ID: 534526
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Rios' Claim

Text: 25 Unlike the appeals brought by Gibson and Hope, the appeal brought by Angelo Rios is based on findings of fact made by the district court after a trial on the merits. 26 Rios alleged in his complaint that from 1977 to 1981 he requested but was denied a newswriter position because of his Hispanic origin. He also alleges that he was discriminatorily denied--subsequent to an audition given to him during February, 1978--the further opportunity for tape and writing auditions, and that he did not receive training, teaching and direction, similar to that provided to caucasians employed by ABC and applicants from outside ABC who became newswriters. Rios' employment with ABC was terminated in 1985 for insubordination. 27 At trial and on appeal he attempts to show that the reasons given for not employing him as a newswriter were pretextual, and that four other applicants were hired without the previous radio experience he was told was a required qualification for the position. 28 The facts disclosed at the bench trial reveal that appellant worked for ABC Radio News as a desk assistant for nine years commencing in 1976 and ending in 1985. It is ABC's policy to require applicants for newswriter positions to have several years of broadcast journalism experience in a major news market, though, in exceptional cases, individuals were considered for employment if they demonstrated sufficient skill and talent. ABC presented proof concerning the four individuals that Rios claimed were hired without the necessary qualifications. The proof indicated that the four individuals had either greater news experience, or more education (college degrees), or had demonstrated other outstanding attributes. Of the four comparison employees, two were hired on account of outstanding skill and/or talent; one of them was black and the other Hispanic. The evidence therefore presented a question of fact respecting pretext that Judge Sweet decided in favor of ABC Radio News. 29 Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 52(a), a finding of fact may only be set aside if it is clearly erroneous. Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 574, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 1511, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985). Judge Sweet's determination that Rios was unqualified to be a newswriter is not clearly erroneous. Rios concedes that he did not have the required five years of major marketing experience, nor was he a college graduate. The evidence of pretext Rios presents is weak since ABC satisfactorily explained why the others with allegedly no greater experience were hired, and two of them were members of a minority. Because we think Judge Sweet's assessment of the credibility of witnesses is plausible looking at the record as a whole, we see no reason to disturb his findings. Hence, we affirm the district court's dismissal after trial of Rios' complaint.