Opinion ID: 2995041
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Pattern and Practice of

Text: Discrimination To bolster his pretext argument, Guerrero argues that the Career Board and SAC have engaged in a pattern of discrimination against Hispanic agents. Guerrero first presents anecdotal evidence, pointing to two general patterns which he believes evidence discrimination. First, he notes that Hispanics are frequently appointed to drug squads, yet rarely promoted to supervisory roles in those squads. We find this fact, without more explanation, to be inapposite. There are many reasons why this pattern could have evolved, some innocent. For example, few Hispanic agents may have applied for these positions. Second, Guerrero argues that he neither he nor Casanova have been able to use relief supervisor positions as stepping stones to promotion whereas three white agents have. This sparse evidence hardly constitutes a trend: it is merely the experience of Guerrero and one other Hispanic agent. Again, we do not have enough information to assess this trend. Further, we have no evidence that the FBI touted relief supervisorypositions as stepping stones to promotion. Guerrero’s pattern and practice evidence does not support his claim. Guerrero next offers statistical studies conducted by an expert, Dr. LaLonde, tending to show that Hispanic and Black agents are promoted far less frequently than other agents. We have found statistical evidence to be admissible and helpful in disparate treatment cases, yet statistical evidence alone does not, in most cases prove pretext. See Rummery v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co., Slip Op. 00- 2137 at  (7th Cir. May 11, 2001); Adams v. Ameritech Services, Inc., 231 F.3d 414, 423 (7th Cir. 2000). We recognize that there is a fierce disagreement between the parties regarding the appropriateness of Dr. LaLonde’s data selection and his methodological technique, but like the district court, we will not address it. Even if we conclude that Guerrero’s statistics evidence discrimination, we decline to reverse the grant of summary judgment on this basis. The sample Guerrero provides is quite small, focusing on only four individuals over a span of eight years. This meager statistical evidence does not constitute the rare case where statistics alone can create a triable issue of pretext and Guerrero has not produced any evidence of pretext to supplement his statistics. The FBI’s proffered reasons for declining to promote Guerrero are legitimate and we see no triable issue of pretext. We AFFIRM.