Court Opinion

ID: 3026154
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:35:13.207241+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:42.547012
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                          FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                  ___________

                                  No. 99-4277
                                  ___________

Doreen A. Genosky,                          *
                                            *
              Appellant,                    *
                                            *
       v.                                   *
                                            *
State of Minnesota; Department              *
of Public Safety; Donald Davis,             *
Commissioner of the Department              *
of Public Safety, in his official           *
capacity; Minnesota State Patrol;           * Appeal from the United States
Michael Chabries, Chief of the              * District Court for the
State Patrol, in his official capacity;     * District of Minnesota
Lieutenant Thomas Fraser of the             *
State Patrol, personally and                *
individually; Lieutenant Lori Hodapp        *
of the State Patrol, personally and         *
individually,                               *
                                            *
              Appellees.                    *
                                       ___________

                            Submitted: October 19, 2000

                                 Filed: March 30, 2001
                                  ___________

Before McMILLIAN, BOWMAN and LOKEN, Circuit Judges.
                         ___________

McMILLIAN, Circuit Judge.
       Doreen Genosky ("Genosky") appeals from a final order entered in the United
States District Court for the District of Minnesota,1 granting summary judgment in
favor of the State of Minnesota, Lori Hodapp ("Hodapp"), and Thomas Fraser
("Fraser") (collectively "defendants") on her claims of gender-based discrimination and
retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.;
violation of equal protection rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth
Amendment; conspiracy under 42 U.S.C. § 1985; and tortious interference with
contract. Genosky v. State of Minnesota, No. 99-4277 (D. Minn. Sept. 27, 1999)
(memorandum opinion and order) (hereinafter "slip op."). For reversal, Genosky
argues that the district court erred in holding that there is no genuine issue of material
fact and that defendants are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on each of her
claims. For the reasons stated below and pursuant to 8th Cir. R. 47B, we affirm.

       Jurisdiction was proper in the district court under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1343.
Jurisdiction is proper in this court under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. The notice of appeal was
timely filed, in accordance with Fed. R. App. P. 4(a).

                                    I. Background

       The district court's forty-eight page opinion describes in considerable detail the
factual background of this case. The following is a summary of the facts as set forth
in the district court's order. See slip op. at 2-26. Genosky went through the Minnesota
State Patrol Training Academy ("the academy") and graduated fourth out of twenty-
seven graduates. Upon graduation from the academy, Genosky was sworn in as a
Minnesota State Trooper and immediately began her one-year probationary period.
Kevin Daly ("Daly"), Genosky's Field Training Officer ("FTO"), was responsible for
evaluating Genosky's performance during her initial months as an officer. In each

      1
      The Honorable Donovan W. Frank, United States District Judge for the District
of Minnesota.
                                           -2-
evaluation, he noted that she was "progressing satisfactorily" and recommended that
she "advance to the next step" of training. Addendum to Brief for Appellant at 50-51
(Minnesota State Patrol FTO Biweekly Summary ("Biweekly Summary"), Mar. 18,
1995 and May 7, 1995). In his final report dated May 7, 1995, Daly commented on
Genosky's strengths as follows:

      Doreen is doing well in all areas of her FTO training and I expect her to
      continue. She has a great attitude and works hard. She handled all
      situations we encounter in a calm professional manner. When offered
      constructive criticism she accepts it and changes the behavior. . . . I
      expect her to be a leader in the station.

Slip op. at 4 (quoting Biweekly Summary, May 7, 1995).

       On May 8, 1995, Genosky began solo patrol. Lieutenant Kutz ("Kutz") was
Genosky's supervisor and was responsible for her monthly evaluations. His evaluations
of Genosky ranged from "performs satisfactorily" to "does not perform satisfactorily;
however, has the ability to improve with experience and/or additional training." Id. at
4-5. In a monthly evaluation report dated June 26, 1995, Kutz criticized Genosky for
mishandling the following three incidents. First, with respect to her handling of a stolen
vehicle, Kutz indicated concern with the incomplete manner in which her report was
written as well as her hesitancy to initiate action. Second, with respect to her handling
of a felony stop, Kutz noted that, while her subsequent police report was more
thorough, Genosky continued to show a lack of assertiveness. Third, with respect to
her handling of a stalled truck, Kutz criticized her for having used poor judgment and,
once again, showing a lack of assertiveness. In that third incident, a garbage truck had
broken down on a freeway ramp and was extending into traffic. While Genosky
diverted traffic by putting out triangles, Kutz also instructed her to order a state tow
truck given the hazardous situation involved. After the state tow truck was already en
route, Genosky canceled it and waited 45 minutes for the driver's private tow to arrive.
See id. at 5-10.

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       Kutz reported additional incidents regarding Genosky's performance. In a
supervisor's contact form dated May 24, 1995, Kutz reprimanded Genosky for the
following incident. Genosky had stopped to assist Trooper Garvey ("Garvey") with a
possible stolen vehicle situation. While Garvey was having an abandoned car towed,
another car arrived at the scene. Genosky determined that the license of the owner of
that car (Sheree Embery) had been suspended. Although the driver denied being the
owner of the car, both troopers heard the passenger call her "Sheree" on several
occasions. As Genosky was writing a citation for the driver in her squad car, the car
sped away. Even though Kutz believed that both officers used "poor judgment," he
reasoned that Garvey was only responsible for the abandoned car, whereas Genosky
was responsible for the suspended license situation. See id. at 10-11.

         Kutz later criticized Genosky in a supervisor's contact form dated June 26,
1995, for her mishandling of a stalled vehicle incident. Genosky had been on her way
to respond to the call when she heard a message over the radio, which she
misunderstood to mean that Troopers Mikulski and Kutz were at the scene. Believing
that Mikulski and Kutz were already handling the accident, Genosky helped direct
traffic upon arriving at the scene. When Mikulski and Kutz actually arrived, Genosky
was reprimanded for not having taken care of the accident scene initially. See id. at 12-
13.

       While on patrol on August 16, 1995, Trooper Davis identified a vehicle with an
expired registration, attempted to pull the car over, and proceeded to chase the car at
high speeds when it fled. The chase ended with the vehicle slamming into the back of
a truck, causing minor injuries. Genosky became involved when she went to the
hospital to take the suspects' statements. Lieutenant Kutz gave Genosky a negative

                                           -4-
evaluation for her role in the incident, yet did not criticize Davis.2 Kutz admonished
Genosky in a trooper contact form for not throughly or adequately questioning the
suspects and for failing to advise the suspects of their Miranda rights. See id. at 13-15.

       Following her monthly evaluation by Kutz, dated August 22, 1995, Genosky
spoke with Captain Mengelkoch ("Mengelkoch") about her perceived unfair treatment.
Kutz had again rated her performance as ranging from "performs satisfactorily" to
"does not perform satisfactorily; however, has the ability to improve with experience
and/or additional training." Id. at 18. Genosky could not recall whether she alleged
that she had been treated unfairly as a result of her gender. See id. at 18-19. The
parties agreed that Trooper Polansky and Sergeant Ewald ("Ewald") would each
accompany her on one shift. Ewald later concluded, based upon his observation of
Genosky, that she "didn't want help" and that "she was reluctant to accept advice." Id.
at 19 (quoting affidavit of Robert Ewald at ¶¶ 5-8, 13). Additionally, he opined that
"Ms. Genosky had the basic knowledge to perform the job of a Trooper, but she wasn't
able to apply this knowledge." Id. at 20 (quoting affidavit of Robert Ewald at ¶ 12).

        Kutz transferred to St. Cloud in the fall of 1995. Acting as her temporary
supervisor, Lieutenant Fraser noted several incidents regarding Genosky's performance
in a supervisor's contact form dated September 23, 1995. He reported that Genosky
listed the incorrect date and time of arrest on a suspect's 36-hour hold form and that she
had improperly completed a notice and order of revocation. Fraser concluded the
contact form with, "[w]atch for more common sense mental errors, or the inability to
read, follow, and understand the basic forms of law enforcement or the basic elements
of a crime." Id. at 20-21. On October 17, 1995, Lieutenant Fraser and Lieutenant
Hodapp (Kutz's replacement) met with Genosky to review her performance and each
previous incident which led to criticism. They discussed with her their training plan,

      2
      A review board considered Trooper Davis's use of force and concluded that his
conduct was not improper. See slip op. at 33.
                                           -5-
primarily consisting of extra ride-alongs, to address her perceived deficiencies. See
id. at 20-21. In a supervisor's contact form regarding the meeting, Fraser reported that
Gensoky had made improbable excuses, blamed others, and contradicted herself. He
concluded that she was either lying or unable to communicate effectively. Id. at 22-23.

       Three days after her meeting with Hodapp and Fraser, Genosky stopped a driver,
checked his identification, and learned that his driver's license had been suspended.
She informed him that she was going to issue him a ticket and have his car towed. She
returned to her squad car, leaving the driver in his car with his keys. He fled the scene
and Genosky followed. The chase ended when the driver collided with another car.
Genosky was put on administrative leave immediately following the incident. See id.
at 24-25.

       On October 23, 1995, Mengelkoch decided at a weekly meeting with Lieutenants
Fraser and Hodapp to terminate Genosky. He requested that Fraser and Hodapp
generate a report supporting the termination. Because Hodapp did not have first-hand
knowledge regarding most of the incidents, she summarized the opinions and comments
of other officers upon which the termination would be based. See id. at 25-26.

       On October 24, 1995, Mengelkoch met with Genosky and informed her that he
was not going to recommend that she be certified with the state patrol. Genosky turned
in her resignation the next day. See id. at 26-27.

      Genosky filed the present action in federal district court alleging gender
discrimination in her employment in violation of Title VII and 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983,
1985. Defendants moved for summary judgment, and the district court granted the
motion as to each of Genosky's claims. The district court held that Genosky had not
established a prima facie case of sex discrimination or retaliation and, even if she had,
no disputed facts existed that could lead a jury to reasonably conclude that defendants'

                                           -6-
actions were motivated by her gender. See id. at 47. Final judgment was entered for
defendants, and Genosky timely appealed.

                                    II. Discussion
      We review a grant of summary judgment de novo, and will affirm if the evidence,
viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, shows that there is no
genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-
23(1986); Lynn v. Deaconess Med. Ctr., 160 F.3d 484, 486 (8th Cir. 1998).

                            A. Discriminatory Discharge
       Genosky argues that the district court improperly dismissed her discriminatory
discharge claim. Genosky asserts that defendants' records of her poor performance are
inaccurate, and cannot be reconciled with her success at the academy or with Daly's
favorable evaluations. Additionally, she alleges that male troopers were not evaluated
as harshly as she for similar performance problems. Upon careful de novo review, we
hold that the plaintiff has produced no evidence to establish a genuine issue that
defendants' proffered justifications for termination were a pretext for discrimination.
In sum, we agree with the district court that "[Genosky] cannot meet her ultimate
burden of demonstrating that her termination was the result of discrimination rather than
numerous legitimate factors regarding her performance." Slip op. at 34.

                           B. Hostile Work Environment
       Plaintiff Genosky next argues that both Kutz's and Fraser's gender-based
discrimination created a hostile work environment in violation of Title VII. She alleges
that Kutz harassed her by "humiliating her in front of troopers and citizens; . . .
accusing her of performance problems based on a male trooper's word; and
documenting untruths in her performance evaluations." Appellant's Brief at 54.
Additionally, Genosky contends that Fraser abused the review process as a means to
"insult, accuse and intimidate" her. Id. at 55. Genosky has not raised a genuine issue

                                           -7-
of material fact that this alleged adverse treatment by defendants was due to her gender,
rather than repeated performance problems. See Hathaway v. Runyon, 132 F.3d 1214,
1221 (8th Cir. 1997) (noting that to succeed on a hostile work environment claim, a
"plaintiff must show that the conduct was discriminatory in nature and that she was
singled out for such treatment on the basis of her membership in a protected category
under the statute.").

                                  C. Retaliation
     Genosky further claims that defendants retaliated against her because she
complained of sex discrimination. We agree with the district court's determination that
Genosky has not produced evidence sufficient to raise a genuine issue of material fact
regarding the alleged retaliation. As noted in the district court's opinion, "[a]lthough
Plaintiff Genosky complained about unfair treatment, she cannot establish that she
complained about unlawful discriminatory treatment. Thus, the Plaintiff cannot
establish that she opposed an unlawful employment practice, and cannot meet her
burden of demonstrating that she engaged in statutorily protected conduct." Slip op.
at 40.

                                 D. 42 U.S.C. § 1983
       In addition to her Title VII claims, Genosky alleges that the district court erred
by dismissing her equal protection claims against Hodapp and Fraser. She claims that
defendants "engag[ed] in intentional conduct designed to impede the plaintiff's career
advancement." Appellant's Brief at 44. She specifically points to Fraser's critical
evaluation as evidence of his sexual discrimination. Hodapp, according to Genosky,
cooperated "in promoting and furthering Fraser's ill motives." Id. As discussed
previously, Genosky has failed to create a genuine issue of material fact on her claim
of intentional, gender-based discrimination.

                                 E. 42 U.S.C. § 1985

                                           -8-
        Genosky also asserts that Hodapp and Fraser conspired to deprive her of her
civil rights in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1985. We agree with the district court that
Genosky has not set forth any "evidence in the record from which a jury could
reasonably conclude that Lieutenant Fraser and Lieutenant Hodapp conspired to
deprive the Plaintiff of her civil rights" or that they were motivated by a "class-based
invidiously discriminatory animus." Slip op. at 45 (citing Larson v. Miller, 76 F.3d
1446, 1454 (8th Cir. 1996)).

                      F. Tortious Interference with Contract
       Lastly, Genosky claims that Fraser and Hodapp intentionally interfered with her
employment contract with the State of Minnesota. Genosky did not set forth evidence
sufficient to create an issue of material fact regarding the defendant's motivation for
their conduct. Without evidence which could allow a jury to conclude that their actions
were a result of improper motives, she cannot overcome defendants' motion for
summary judgment.

                                   III. Conclusion
       For the reasons stated, the judgment of the district court is affirmed. See 8th
Cir.R. 47B.

      A true copy.

             Attest:

                CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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