Opinion ID: 810115
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hypolite

Text: Hypolite, then a community service inspector with the City’s Neighborhood Protection Division, had a history of tension with a white supervisor who had a Confederate flag tattoo. After receiving notice that the supervisor was retiring, Hypolite sent an e-mail on April 23, 2002 from his work account to the City’s Neighborhood Protection e-mail group that stated, “It appears that the confederate [sic] flag will no longer be with NPD as of April 30, 2002. That will be another blessing for our Neighborhood Protection Division. May the confederate [sic] flag go in peace.” The next day, Hypolite was suspended for seven days without pay for several Department and City policy violations, including improper use of e-mail and racial slurs. 1 Garrett was hired in April 1990. Hypolite was hired in October 1993. Pratt was hired in March 1995. 2 The case was dismissed without prejudice and refiled on December 3, 2004 as 4:04-cv4555. 2 Case: 12-20065 Document: 00512020134 Page: 3 Date Filed: 10/15/2012 No. 12-20065 On September 22, 2002, Hypolite was given a written reprimand for failing to wear his City-issued uniform.3 On February 14, 2003, Hypolite filed a complaint with the EEOC alleging that the suspension and reprimand were retaliation for filing previous EEOC charges. The EEOC subsequently issued a determination letter, opining as to the uniform charge only that “it is reasonable to believe that [Hypolite] was retaliated against for participating in a protected activity . . . .” It made no findings on the suspension. On May 19, 2004, Hypolite submitted his letter of resignation to the City.