Court Opinion

ID: 9395486
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-18 06:00:11.269757+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:08.865892
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
                   MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD

SANDRA T. MOHR,                                 DOCKET NUMBER
             Appellant,                         PH-0714-18-0400-X-1

             v.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS                          DATE: May 17, 2023
  AFFAIRS,
            Agency.

        THIS FINAL ORDER IS NONPRECEDENTIAL 1

      Laura Reznick, Esquire, Garden City, New York, for the appellant.

      Melissa Lolotai, Esquire, Washington, D.C., for the appellant.

      Paul P. Kranick, Esquire, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the agency.

                                      BEFORE

                          Cathy A. Harris, Vice Chairman
                           Raymond A. Limon, Member
                           Tristan L. Leavitt, Member 2

1
   A nonprecedential order is one that the Board has determined does not add
significantly to the body of MSPB case law. Parties may cite nonprecedential orders,
but such orders have no precedential value; the Board and administrative judges are not
required to follow or distinguish them in any future decisions. In contrast, a
precedential decision issued as an Opinion and Order has been identified by the Board
as significantly contributing to the Board’s case law. See 5 C.F.R. § 1201.117(c).
2
  Member Leavitt’s name is included in decisions on which the three -member Board
completed the voting process prior to his March 1, 2023 departure.
                                                                                     2

                                     FINAL ORDER

¶1         In a May 29, 2020 compliance initial decision, the administrative judge
     found the agency in noncompliance with a November 2018 settlement agreement
     that had been entered into record for enforcement in the underlying appeal. Mohr
     v. Department of Veterans Affairs, MSPB Docket No. PH-0714-18-0400-C-1,
     Compliance File (CF), Tab 13, Compliance Initial Decision (CID); Mohr v.
     Department of Veterans Affairs, MSPB Docket No. PH-0714-18-0400-I-1, Initial
     Appeal File (IAF), Tab 18, Initial Decision (ID).     For the reasons discussed
     below, we now find the agency in compliance and DISMISS the appellant’s
     petition for enforcement.

        DISCUSSION OF ARGUMENTS AND EVIDENCE ON COMPLIANCE
¶2         In November 2018, the parties entered into a settlement agreement
     resolving the appellant’s appeal, MSPB Docket No. PH-0714-18-0400-I-1. The
     agreement provided, in relevant part, that the agency would place in the
     appellant’s Official Personnel Folder (OPF) a Standard Form 50 reflecting that
     she had resigned and a neutral reference stating the dates of her employment,
     length of service, and salary. Id. at 5. In a November 26, 2018 initial decision
     that became the final decision of the Board after neither party petitioned for
     administrative review, the administrative judge dismissed the appeal as settled
     and entered the settlement agreement into the record for purposes of enforcement.
     ID at 1-2.
¶3         On November 8, 2019, the appellant filed a petition for enforcement
     alleging that the agency breached the settlement agreement by failing to provide a
     neutral reference to a prospective employer. CF, Tab 1. In the compliance initial
     decision, the administrative judge agreed, finding that the agency materially
     breached the neutral reference provision of the settlement agreement when an
     agency supervisor informed a prospective employer that he would never hire the
     appellant back. CID at 3, 5-6. Accordingly, the administrative judge granted the
                                                                                            3

     appellant’s petition for enforcement and ordered the agency to comply with its
     obligations under the settlement agreement—specifically, to place the neutral
     reference indicating the appellant’s dates of employment, len gth of service, and
     salary, in her OPF and to ensure that all future job references pertaining to the
     appellant do not contain any negative information about her employment . 3 CID
     at 8.
¶4           The administrative judge informed the agency that, if it decided to take the
     actions ordered in the compliance initial decision, it must submit to the Clerk of
     the Board a narrative statement and evidence establishing compliance . CID at 9.
     In addition, he informed both parties that they could file a petition for review of
     the compliance initial decision if they disagreed with the findings therein. CID
     at 9-10. Neither party filed any submission with the Clerk of the Board within
     the time limit set forth in 5 C.F.R. § 1201.114. As such, pursuant to 5 C.F.R.
     § 1201.183(b)-(c), the administrative judge’s findings of noncompliance became
     final, and the appellant’s petition for enforcement was referred to the Board for a
     final decision on issues of compliance. Mohr v. Department of Veterans Affairs,
     MSPB Docket No. PH-0714-18-0400-X-1, Compliance Referral File (CRF),
     Tab 1.
¶5           On July 7, 2020, the Board issued an acknowledgment order directing the
     agency to submit evidence showing that it had complied with all actions
     identified in the compliance initial decision. CRF, Tab 1 at 3. In response, the
     agency stated that it intended to fully comply with the Board’s orders and
     submitted evidence reflecting that a neutral reference letter containing the

     3
       The administrative judge informed the appellant that, as the non-breaching party, she
     could elect to have the settlement agreement rescinded and the appeal reinstated in lieu
     of enforcement by filing a request for reinstatement no later than 30 calendar days after
     the initial decision became final. CID at 8-9. The appellant did not elect to rescind the
     settlement agreement and reinstate the appeal. Accordingly, she is deemed to have
     elected enforcement of the settlement agreement.
                                                                                        4

     information specified in the settlement agreement had been placed in the
     appellant’s OPF.    CRF, Tab 2 at 4-6, 12.        In addition, the agency provided a
     declaration under penalty of perjury from a Strategic Business Partner in the
     Human Resources Management Service attesting that supervisors and employees
     are routinely informed of their “continuing obligation” to refer employment
     inquiries by prospective employers regarding former employees to human
     resources. Id. at 13-14. The agency provided copies of July 10 and 17, 2020
     emails from the Strategic Business Partner to facility supervisors instructing them
     to confer with a labor relations specialist or human resources prior to responding
     to reference requests and to direct all inquiries regarding former employees to the
     Chief of Human Resources.         Id. at 15-16.     Finally, the agency provided a
     declaration under penalty of perjury from the supervisor found to hav e improperly
     provided a negative reference to the appellant’s prospective employer, in which
     he states, among other things, that he has been counseled on the requirements of
     the settlement agreement and that he “will refrain from providing any information
     to anyone with respect to the Appellant’s prior employment.” Id. at 17.
¶6         In an August 10, 2020 response to the agency’s statement and evidence of
     compliance, the appellant argues that she “is not satisfied because the damage has
     already been done” and that the agency “has not taken satisfactory steps to ensure
     that another breach will not happen.” CRF, Tab 5 at 4. She also argues that she
     believes the agency’s breach was willful and discriminatory and notes that she
     intends to file a motion to recover attorney’s fees. Id. at 5.
¶7         A settlement agreement is a contract and, as such, will be enforced in
     accordance with contract law.         Burke v. Department of Veterans Affairs,
     121 M.S.P.R. 299, ¶ 8 (2014). The Board will enforce a settlement agreement
     that has been entered into the record in the same manner as a final Board decision
     or order.   Id.    When the appellant alleges noncompliance with a settlement
     agreement, the agency must produce relevant material evidence of its compliance
     with the agreement or show that there was good cause for noncompliance.          Id.
                                                                                         5

     The ultimate burden, however, remains with the appellant to prove breach by a
     preponderance of the evidence. Id.
¶8        As described above, in the compliance initial decision, the administrative
     judge found that the agency materially breached the settlement agreement by
     providing negative information to a prospective employer.             CID at 5-7.
     Accordingly, the administrative judge ordered the agency to comply with its
     neutral reference obligations under the settlement agreement and to ensure that
     future job references pertaining to the appellant do not contain any negative
     information about her employment. Id. at 8. The agency’s submissions show that
     it has now reached full compliance with this obligation.         CRF, Tab 2.        In
     particular, as set forth above, the agency provided evidence establishing that it
     has placed in the appellant’s OPF the neutral reference letter stating only her
     dates of employment, length of service, and salary. Id. at 12-13. In addition, the
     agency’s evidence reflects that that supervisors and employees are being routinely
     notified of their obligation to refer any prospective employer inquiries regarding
     former employees to human resources and that the appellant’s former supervisor
     has specifically been counseled not to provide any information about the
     appellant to anyone and to refer all inquiries to human resour ces. Id. at 13-17.
¶9        The appellant’s arguments in response to the agency’s compliance
     submission provide no basis to find that the agency has not satisfied its
     compliance obligations. CRF, Tab 5. First, we find no merit to the appellant’s
     cursory assertion that the steps the agency has taken are insufficient to ensure
     another breach will not occur.     Second, in light of the fact that the appellant
     elected to enforce compliance with the settlement agreement rather than rescind
     it, her arguments that the “damage has already been done” and that the agency’s
     actions were willful and discriminatory are misplaced.       The appellant had the
     option to rescind the settlement agreement and reinstate her appeal, as well as to
     petition for review of the compliance initial decision, but did not do so.
     Accordingly, this proceeding is limited to whether the agency has demonstrated
                                                                                            6

      that it has complied with the actions identified in the compliance initial decision.
      Lastly, the appellant’s assertion that she incurred attorney fees and litigation
      costs as a result of the agency’s breach are likewise misplaced in this compliance
      proceeding and, as the administrative judge correctly informed her, must be
      brought in a separate proceeding. 4 CID at 8.
¶10         In light of the foregoing, we find that the agency is now in compliance and
      dismiss the appellant’s petition for enforcement. This is the final decision of the
      Merit Systems Protection Board in this compliance proceeding.           Title 5 of the
      Code of Federal Regulations, section 1201.183(c)(1) (5 C.F.R. § 1201.183(c)(1)).

                        NOTICE TO THE APPELLANT REGARDING
                              YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST
                             ATTORNEY FEES AND COSTS
            You may be entitled to be paid by the agenc y for your reasonable attorney
      fees and costs. To be paid, you must meet the requirements set out at Title 5 of
      the United States Code (5 U.S.C.), sections 7701(g), 1221(g), or 1214(g). The
      regulations may be found at 5 C.F.R. §§ 1201.201, 1201.202, and 1201.203. If
      you believe you meet these requirements, you must file a motion for attorney fees
      WITHIN 60 CALENDAR DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS DECISION.                              You
      must file your attorney fees motion with the office that issued the initial decision
      on your appeal.

      4
        On September 4, 2020, the appellant filed a petition for attorney fees and litigation
      costs related to her petition for enforcement. Mohr v. Department of Veterans Affairs,
      MSPB Docket No. PH-0714-18-0400-A-1, Attorney Fee File (AFF), Tab 1. In a
      November 9, 2020 initial decision, the administrative judge denied the request as
      untimely filed without good cause shown. AFF, Tab 9, Initial Decision. The attorney
      fee initial decision became the final decision of the Board on Decemb er 14, 2020, after
      neither party filed a petition for administrative review. Id. at 5.
                                                                                         7

                           NOTICE OF APPEAL RIGHTS 5
      You may obtain review of this final decision. 5 U.S.C. § 7703(a)(1). By
statute, the nature of your claims determines the time limit for seeking such
review and the appropriate forum with which to file.               5 U.S.C. § 7703(b).
Although we offer the following summary of available appeal rights, the Merit
Systems Protection Board does not provide legal advice on which option is most
appropriate for your situation and the rights described below do not represent a
statement of how courts will rule regarding which cases fall within their
jurisdiction.   If you wish to seek review of this final decision, you should
immediately review the law applicable to your claims and carefully follow all
filing time limits and requirements. Failure to file within the applicable t ime
limit may result in the dismissal of your case by your chosen forum.
      Please read carefully each of the three main possible choices of review
below to decide which one applies to your particular case. If you have questions
about whether a particular forum is the appropriate one to review your case, you
should contact that forum for more information.

      (1) Judicial review in general. As a general rule, an appellant seeking
judicial review of a final Board order must file a petition for review with the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which must be received by the court
within 60 calendar days of the date of issuance of this decision.                5 U.S.C.
§ 7703(b)(1)(A).
      If you submit a petition for review to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Federal   Circuit,   you    must   submit   your   petition   to   the   court    at   the
following address:

5
  Since the issuance of the initial decision in this matter, the Board may have updated
the notice of review rights included in final decisions. As indicated in the notice, the
Board cannot advise which option is most appropriate in any matter.
                                                                                   8

                             U.S. Court of Appeals
                             for the Federal Circuit
                            717 Madison Place, N.W.
                            Washington, D.C. 20439

      Additional information about the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit is available at the court’s website, www.cafc.uscourts.gov. Of particular
relevance is the court’s “Guide for Pro Se Petitioners and Appellants,” which is
contained within the court’s Rules of Practice, and Forms 5, 6, 10, and 11.
      If you are interested in securing pro bono representation for an appeal to
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, you may visit our website at
http://www.mspb.gov/probono for information regarding pro bono representation
for Merit Systems Protection Board appellants before the Federal Circuit. The
Board neither endorses the services provided by any attorney nor warrants that
any attorney will accept representation in a given case.

      (2) Judicial   or   EEOC     review   of   cases     involving   a   claim   of
discrimination. This option applies to you only if you have claimed that you
were affected by an action that is appealable to the Board and that such action
was based, in whole or in part, on unlawful discrimination. If so, you may obtain
judicial review of this decision—including a disposition of your discrimination
claims—by filing a civil action with an appropriate U.S. district court ( not the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit), within 30 calendar days after you
receive this decision.     5 U.S.C. § 7703(b)(2); see Perry v. Merit Systems
Protection Board, 582 U.S. 420 (2017). If you have a representative in this case,
and your representative receives this decision before you do, then you must file
with the district court no later than 30 calendar days after your representative
receives this decision. If the action involves a claim of discrimination based on
race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or a disabling condition, you may be
entitled to representation by a court-appointed lawyer and to waiver of any
                                                                                  9

requirement of prepayment of fees, costs, or other secur ity.       See 42 U.S.C.
§ 2000e-5(f) and 29 U.S.C. § 794a.
      Contact information for U.S. district courts can be found at their respective
websites, which can be accessed through the link below:
      http://www.uscourts.gov/Court_Locator/CourtWebsites.aspx.
      Alternatively, you may request review by the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) of your discrimination claims only, excluding
all other issues. 5 U.S.C. § 7702(b)(1). You must file any such request with the
EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations within 30 calendar days after you receive
this decision. 5 U.S.C. § 7702(b)(1). If you have a representative in this case,
and your representative receives this decision before you do, then you must file
with the EEOC no later than 30 calendar days after your representative receives
this decision.
      If you submit a request for review to the EEOC by regular U.S. mail, the
address of the EEOC is:
                            Office of Federal Operations
                     Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
                                  P.O. Box 77960
                             Washington, D.C. 20013

      If you submit a request for review to the EEOC via commercial deliver y or
by a method requiring a signature, it must be addressed to:
                            Office of Federal Operations
                     Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
                                 131 M Street, N.E.
                                   Suite 5SW12G
                             Washington, D.C. 20507

      (3) Judicial     review   pursuant   to   the   Whistleblower     Protection
Enhancement Act of 2012. This option applies to you only if you have raised
claims of reprisal for whistleblowing disclosures under 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(8) or
other protected activities listed in 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(9)(A)(i), (B), (C), or (D).
If so, and your judicial petition for review “raises no challenge to the Board’s
                                                                                     10

disposition of allegations of a prohibited personnel practice described in section
2302(b) other than practices described in section 2302(b)(8), or 2302(b)(9)(A)(i),
(B), (C), or (D),” then you may file a petition for judicial review either with the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit or any court of appeals of
competent jurisdiction. 6   The court of appeals must receive your petition for
review within 60 days of the date of issuance of this decision.               5 U.S.C.
§ 7703(b)(1)(B).
      If you submit a petition for judicial review to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit, you must submit your petition to the court at the
following address:
                               U.S. Court of Appeals
                               for the Federal Circuit
                              717 Madison Place, N.W.
                              Washington, D.C. 20439

      Additional information about the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit is available at the court’s website, www.cafc.uscourts.gov. Of particular
relevance is the court’s “Guide for Pro Se Petitioners and Appellants,” which is
contained within the court’s Rules of Practice, and Forms 5, 6, 10, and 11.
      If you are interested in securing pro bono representation for an appeal to
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, you may visit our website at
http://www.mspb.gov/probono for information regarding pro bono representation
for Merit Systems Protection Board appellants before the Federal Circuit. The

6
   The original statutory provision that provided for judicial review of certain
whistleblower claims by any court of appeals of competent jurisdiction expired on
December 27, 2017. The All Circuit Review Act, signed into law by the President on
July 7, 2018, permanently allows appellants to file petitions for judicial review of
MSPB decisions in certain whistleblower reprisal cases with the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Federal Circuit or any other circuit court of appeals of competent jurisdiction.
The All Circuit Review Act is retroactive to November 26, 2017. Pub. L. No. 115 -195,
132 Stat. 1510.
                                                                           11

Board neither endorses the services provided by any attorney nor warrants that
any attorney will accept representation in a given case.
      Contact information for the courts of appeals can be found at their
respective websites, which can be accessed through the link below:
      http://www.uscourts.gov/Court_Locator/CourtWebsites.aspx.

FOR THE BOARD:                                    /s/ for
                                          Jennifer Everling
                                          Acting Clerk of the Board
Washington, D.C.