Opinion ID: 194852
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dorotea Collazo Rivera

Text: Ms. Collazo was dismissed from her regular position, as an Administrative Assistant I, in January 1986.8 The dismissal letter asserted that Collazo's termination was based on an absence of evidence that she was ever qualified for her position. However, Collazo's job description merely required a desirable (high school diploma) education/experience (general office work) mix. Collazo testified that she met the posted academic preparation component of the job description. Moreover, there was no dispute that Collazo, who was appointed to her final position with the City in 1981, previously had been employed as an office clerk for the City since 1976. Thus, Collazo likewise succeeded in shifting the burden of persuasion to the defendants, and defendants simply failed to persuade the jury. 8When the new administration took over, Collazo's secretary was transferred to another department and Collazo was locked out of her office without warning. Collazo's husband, who was a NPP unit chairman, and her daughter, were also dismissed from their positions with the City in 1985-86. 17