Opinion ID: 194852
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Maria de Lourdes Escute-Levest

Text: Ms. Escute-Levest was dismissed from her regular position, as a Computer Operator I, in October 1985. Initially, defendants contended that she was unqualified, but later retreated to their nullity of appointment justification when 20 she protested that she had an associate degree in computer programming. See supra note 5. Escute, a member of the former mayor's advance team, testified at trial without objection as to the basis of her knowledge12 that her position was refilled following her dismissal, suggesting that it was not as expendable as defendants contend on appeal. The cumulative circumstantial evidence of discriminatory animus and pretext was sufficient to shift the burden of persuasion to defendants and to support the jury verdict.