Opinion ID: 2977732
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Fowler

Text: As to Fowler, his prima facie case fails because he cannot show the requisite causal connection between the protected activity and the indictment. A reasonable jury could find that Fowler engaged in protected activity in that the August 4, 2004 press release identified him by name as a black officer who received unfair treatment by McKimm. Further, Fowler testified at his deposition that he spoke out at a May 5, 2005 special meeting for black officers to discuss problems within the Department. As noted, the City knew about the press release, though it is unclear if the City was aware of the May 5, 2005 meeting. We assume without deciding that a reasonable jury could find that the City’s turning over evidence to the Canton Law Department was an adverse action, even though the ultimate decision to seek an indictment belonged to the independent prosecutor. See Dokes v. Jefferson County, Ohio, 61 F. App’x 174, 178-79 (6th Cir. 2003). But see 18 Miller v. City of Canton No. 08-3163 id. at 181-82 (Gwin, J., concurring in the result); Lentz v. City of Cleveland, 410 F. Supp. 2d 673, 692-93 (N.D. Ohio 2006). However, Fowler cannot show a causal connection between the protected activity and the indictment. Even if the City were aware of the May 5, 2005 special meeting, that meeting occurred three months after the City referred the Unizan Bank matter to the Law Department in February 2005. Therefore, Fowler cannot show a causal connection between the meeting and the indictment. See Dokes, 61 F. App’x at 179. As to the press release, approximately six months elapsed between the press release and the turning over of evidence to the Law Department. Where the protected activity and allegedly retaliatory action are separated by six months, however, more than temporal proximity must be shown to establish a causal connection. Clay v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 501 F.3d 695, 718 (6th Cir. 2007); Hafford v. Seidner, 183 F.3d 506, 515 (6th Cir. 1999). Fowler, however, has offered no other evidence of causation. Because Fowler cannot show a connection between the protected activity and the adverse action, his prima facie case of retaliation fails.