Opinion ID: 65419
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Should this Court Give Collateral Estoppel Effect to the MESC's Findings?

Text: The law is clear that when a state agency acting in a judicial capacity... resolves disputed issues of fact properly before it which the parties have had an adequate opportunity to litigate, federal courts must give the agency's fact-finding the same preclusive effect to which it would be entitled in the State's courts. Univ. of Tenn. v. Elliott, 478 U.S. 788, 799, 106 S.Ct. 3220, 92 L.Ed.2d 635 (1986) (internal quotation marks, alteration, and citation omitted). In Mississippi, administrative decisions are given preclusive effect. Smith v. University of Mississippi, 797 So.2d 956, 963 (Miss.2001). Specifically, the decisions of the MESC are given preclusive weight in Mississippi courts, if supported by the evidence and in the absence of fraud. MISS.CODE ANN. § 71-5-531 (Rev.2000); Raiola v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc., 872 So.2d 79, 84 (Miss.Ct.App.2004). Although Cox voluntarily dismissed her judicial appeal of the MESC ruling, she now seeks to attack that ruling collaterally by contending that a non-judicially reviewed decision of the MESC should not be granted preclusive effect. She also contends that the ruling was not based upon substantial evidence and was tainted with fraud. Cox's failure to fully pursue an appeal under § 71-5-531 does not undermine the preclusive effect of the MESC's decision. See Raiola, 872 So.2d at 84 (forbidding collateral attack of MESC decision where claimant sought and received voluntary dismissal of appeal under § 71-5-531). If there were no opportunity for judicial review, we would have a potentially different situation. Here, however, it is Cox who failed to pursue her appropriate avenues to challenge the judgment. Had she done so, she would have had the opportunity to present evidence, if any, that the MESC's decision was tainted by fraud or based on a lack of substantial evidence. See NCI Bldg. Components v. Berry, 811 So.2d 321, 329 (Miss.Ct.App. 2001) (noting that a court lacks the power to overturn the findings of the MESC unless evidence is presented that the findings are riddled with fraud or based on a lack of substantial evidence). Because Cox failed to fully avail herself of this avenue, she cannot now collaterally attack the MESC's decision.