Opinion ID: 2451780
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Discrimination Claim And Lawsuit

Text: Smith filed a complaint for discrimination with the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, as well as a charge of discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In his complaint Smith alleged racial discrimination because he is an Alaska Native. Mushat replied with a letter denying that any discrimination had taken place and asserting that Smith had been dismissed because of his theft and dishonesty. The EEOC rejected Smith's complaint and closed its file on January 30, 2008, stating that it was unable to conclude that the information obtained establishes violations of the statutes. [1] Smith filed this lawsuit on April 25, 2008. In his complaint, Smith alleged several causes of action: (1) discrimination, (2) interference with contractual relations, (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress, and (4) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The State responded on May 27, 2008, denying Smith's allegations. Smith pointed to three incidents to substantiate his claims. First, he claimed that his superior accused him of faking injuries. Smith's immediate superior was Ken Bartlett; Superintendent Carl High was the supervisor who was a level above Bartlett. According to Smith, in 2005 High made a comment that Smith was faking injuries. Second, Smith pointed to a rumor he heard that, after Smith had been fired, High told the crew at the Quartz Creek Station that we finally got rid of that lazy Indian SOB. Smith claimed he was told of this remark by someone who was not actually present but who had heard about the remark. Smith could not recall the name of the person who told him about the rumor. Third, Smith alleged that he was given less desirable work assignments based on a discriminatory motive. On March 9, 2009, eleven months after Smith filed his complaint and three months before trial was scheduled to begin, the State filed a motion for summary judgment on all of Smith's claims. The superior court granted summary judgment on all counts.