Flaherty v Dixon 2025 NY Slip Op 31593(U) May 1, 2025 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 160071/2021 Judge: Mary V. Rosado Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY
PRESENT: HON.MARYV.ROSADO PART 33M Justice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 160071/2021 MARIE FLAHERTY, MOTION DA TE 08/12/2024 Plaintiff, MOTION SEQ. NO. 001 - V -
LINDSEY S. DIXON, AMAZON.COM, INC.,PRIME NOW LLC,WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROUP, INC.,DAVY DECISION + ORDER ON CUMBERLAND, STEVE DOE, PHIL DOE, JOHANNA DOE, MOTION EBRIMA DOE, JOHN DOE, DOES 11-50,
Defendant. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 001) 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,22,23,24,26,27,28,29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,39,40,41,42,43, 45,46,47,48, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 were read on this motion to/for DISMISS
Upon the foregoing documents, and after a final submission date of February 25, 2025,
Defendants' motion to dismiss Plaintiffs Second Amended Complaint pursuant to CPLR 3211 or
in the alternative striking certain irrelevant allegations pursuant to CPLR 3024(b) is granted in part
and denied in part. Plaintiffs cross-motion to strike the instant motion as untimely, for default
judgment, or alternatively to file a third amended complaint is denied.
I. Background
From March 2020 through May 2020, Plaintiff was employed by Defendant Amazon.com,
Inc. ("Amazon") as a Prime Now Seasonal Shopper and completed orders at the Whole Foods
located at West 96 th Street in Manhattan. 1 She claims that Whole Foods employees discriminated
against her because she was white and observed Covid-19 safety procedures. She alleges these
1 She also alleges she worked at the Wholefoods on East 57 th Street, but the discriminatory allegations are tied to the West 96 th Street location. 160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 1 of 5 Motion No. 001
[* 1] 1 of 5 INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
workers tried to frustrate her from fulfilling orders. She claims this created a hostile work
environment, and she alleges she was defamed by Whole Foods employees who conspired to
interfere with her employment. Plaintiff was fired by Defendant Lindsey S. Dixon ("Dixon") after
Dixon received reports that Plaintiff called Whole Foods employees racists and referred to them
as "colored people." Plaintiff then commenced this lawsuit, which was removed to the Southern
District of New York ("SDNY") on March 31, 2022 (NYSCEF Doc. 5). On February 16, 2023, \.
United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield dismissed Plaintiffs First Amended \omplaint
(NYSCEF Doc. 8).
Although Plaintiff sought leave to amend, leave was denied because the proposed
amendments were futile. However, Judge Schoefield granted Plaintiff leave to refile a revised
version of her proposed second amended complaint. Leave was granted solely to allege a tortious
interference claim, retaliation claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws
against Defendants Dixon and Davy Cumberland ("Cumberland"), and under the New York City
Human Rights Law against Amazon, Prime Now LLC, and Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. 2 On b S'---p••""'- 0,-~ : March 26, 2025, this case was remanded/',.due to lack of diversity jurisdiction (NYSCEF Doc. 6).
On April 9, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Complaint. Defendants move to dismiss.
II. Discussion
A. Standard
When reviewing a pre-answer motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the Court must
give the Plaintiff the benefit of all favorable inferences which may be drawn from the pleadings
and determines only whether the alleged facts fit within any cognizable legal theory (Sassi v
Mobile Life Support Services, Inc., 37 NY3d 236, 239 [2021]). Conclusory allegations or claims
2 Davy Cumberland was a supervisor at Whole Foods. 160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 2 of 5 Motion No. 001
2 of 5 [* 2] INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
consisting of bare legal conclusions with no factual specificity are insufficient (Godfrey v Spano,
13 NY3d 358, 373 [2009]). A motion to dismiss will be granted if the factual allegations do not
allow for an enforceable right of recovery (Connaughton v Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., 29 NY3d
137, 142 [2017]).
B. Law of the Case
Plaintiffs allegations against new unnamed defendants and her repleaded discrimination
claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Law are dismissed pursuant to prior
holdings of Judge Schoefield (see, e.g. Carmona v Mathisson, 92 AD3d 492 [1st Dept 2012]).
Judge Schoefield only granted Plaintiff leave to replead her tortious interference claims, New York
State and City Human Rights laws retaliation claims against Dixon and Cumberland, and her IL retaliation claim under the New York City Human Rights Law against Amazon and Wholefoods. 11.,....___
Thus, the only claims to consider on this motion are the tortious interference and retaliation claims.
C. Tortious Interference
Plaintiffs tortious interference claims are dismissed. There is no alleged contract for
purposes of a tortious interference with contractual relations claim (330 Acquisition Co., LLC v
Regency Savings Bank, F.S.B., 293 AD2d 314 [1st Dept 2002]). Second, Plaintiff alleges she was
an at-will employee, which is fatal to a tortious interference with employment claim (Petrisko v
Animal Medical Center, 187 AD3d 553 [1st Dept 2020]). Nor are there any alleged improper
means, such as physical violence, fraud, or economic pressure allegedly used to terminate
Plaintiffs employment. What is alleged is that Dixon responded to reports that Plaintiff engaged
in discriminatory and disruptive behavior. Plaintiff also believes Dixon and Cumberland worked
together to terminate Plaintiff for making complaints about failure to observe Covid-19 protocols.
These allegations are insufficient to allege tortious interference, therefore this claim is dismissed.
160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 3 of 5 Motion No. 001
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D. Retaliation Claims
Plaintiffs retaliation claims are dismissed. As held by the Court of Appeals, the mere fact
that allegedly discriminatory or adverse acts take place after engaging in allegedly protected
activity does not give rise to an inference of causality (Forrest v Jewish Guild for the Blind, 3
NY3d 295, 313-14 [2004]). Although Plaintiff alleges she engaged in a protected activity, she fails
to allege that the termination of her employment was causally related to her complaints about
discrimination and non-compliance with Covid-19 safety procedures (see, e.g. Whitfield-Ortiz v
Department of Educ.
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Flaherty v Dixon 2025 NY Slip Op 31593(U) May 1, 2025 Supreme Court, New York County Docket Number: Index No. 160071/2021 Judge: Mary V. Rosado Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York State and local government sources, including the New York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK NEW YORK COUNTY
PRESENT: HON.MARYV.ROSADO PART 33M Justice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------X INDEX NO. 160071/2021 MARIE FLAHERTY, MOTION DA TE 08/12/2024 Plaintiff, MOTION SEQ. NO. 001 - V -
LINDSEY S. DIXON, AMAZON.COM, INC.,PRIME NOW LLC,WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROUP, INC.,DAVY DECISION + ORDER ON CUMBERLAND, STEVE DOE, PHIL DOE, JOHANNA DOE, MOTION EBRIMA DOE, JOHN DOE, DOES 11-50,
Defendant. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------X
The following e-filed documents, listed by NYSCEF document number (Motion 001) 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21,22,23,24,26,27,28,29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,39,40,41,42,43, 45,46,47,48, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 were read on this motion to/for DISMISS
Upon the foregoing documents, and after a final submission date of February 25, 2025,
Defendants' motion to dismiss Plaintiffs Second Amended Complaint pursuant to CPLR 3211 or
in the alternative striking certain irrelevant allegations pursuant to CPLR 3024(b) is granted in part
and denied in part. Plaintiffs cross-motion to strike the instant motion as untimely, for default
judgment, or alternatively to file a third amended complaint is denied.
I. Background
From March 2020 through May 2020, Plaintiff was employed by Defendant Amazon.com,
Inc. ("Amazon") as a Prime Now Seasonal Shopper and completed orders at the Whole Foods
located at West 96 th Street in Manhattan. 1 She claims that Whole Foods employees discriminated
against her because she was white and observed Covid-19 safety procedures. She alleges these
1 She also alleges she worked at the Wholefoods on East 57 th Street, but the discriminatory allegations are tied to the West 96 th Street location. 160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 1 of 5 Motion No. 001
[* 1] 1 of 5 INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
workers tried to frustrate her from fulfilling orders. She claims this created a hostile work
environment, and she alleges she was defamed by Whole Foods employees who conspired to
interfere with her employment. Plaintiff was fired by Defendant Lindsey S. Dixon ("Dixon") after
Dixon received reports that Plaintiff called Whole Foods employees racists and referred to them
as "colored people." Plaintiff then commenced this lawsuit, which was removed to the Southern
District of New York ("SDNY") on March 31, 2022 (NYSCEF Doc. 5). On February 16, 2023, \.
United States District Judge Lorna G. Schofield dismissed Plaintiffs First Amended \omplaint
(NYSCEF Doc. 8).
Although Plaintiff sought leave to amend, leave was denied because the proposed
amendments were futile. However, Judge Schoefield granted Plaintiff leave to refile a revised
version of her proposed second amended complaint. Leave was granted solely to allege a tortious
interference claim, retaliation claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws
against Defendants Dixon and Davy Cumberland ("Cumberland"), and under the New York City
Human Rights Law against Amazon, Prime Now LLC, and Whole Foods Market Group, Inc. 2 On b S'---p••""'- 0,-~ : March 26, 2025, this case was remanded/',.due to lack of diversity jurisdiction (NYSCEF Doc. 6).
On April 9, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Complaint. Defendants move to dismiss.
II. Discussion
A. Standard
When reviewing a pre-answer motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the Court must
give the Plaintiff the benefit of all favorable inferences which may be drawn from the pleadings
and determines only whether the alleged facts fit within any cognizable legal theory (Sassi v
Mobile Life Support Services, Inc., 37 NY3d 236, 239 [2021]). Conclusory allegations or claims
2 Davy Cumberland was a supervisor at Whole Foods. 160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 2 of 5 Motion No. 001
2 of 5 [* 2] INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
consisting of bare legal conclusions with no factual specificity are insufficient (Godfrey v Spano,
13 NY3d 358, 373 [2009]). A motion to dismiss will be granted if the factual allegations do not
allow for an enforceable right of recovery (Connaughton v Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., 29 NY3d
137, 142 [2017]).
B. Law of the Case
Plaintiffs allegations against new unnamed defendants and her repleaded discrimination
claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Law are dismissed pursuant to prior
holdings of Judge Schoefield (see, e.g. Carmona v Mathisson, 92 AD3d 492 [1st Dept 2012]).
Judge Schoefield only granted Plaintiff leave to replead her tortious interference claims, New York
State and City Human Rights laws retaliation claims against Dixon and Cumberland, and her IL retaliation claim under the New York City Human Rights Law against Amazon and Wholefoods. 11.,....___
Thus, the only claims to consider on this motion are the tortious interference and retaliation claims.
C. Tortious Interference
Plaintiffs tortious interference claims are dismissed. There is no alleged contract for
purposes of a tortious interference with contractual relations claim (330 Acquisition Co., LLC v
Regency Savings Bank, F.S.B., 293 AD2d 314 [1st Dept 2002]). Second, Plaintiff alleges she was
an at-will employee, which is fatal to a tortious interference with employment claim (Petrisko v
Animal Medical Center, 187 AD3d 553 [1st Dept 2020]). Nor are there any alleged improper
means, such as physical violence, fraud, or economic pressure allegedly used to terminate
Plaintiffs employment. What is alleged is that Dixon responded to reports that Plaintiff engaged
in discriminatory and disruptive behavior. Plaintiff also believes Dixon and Cumberland worked
together to terminate Plaintiff for making complaints about failure to observe Covid-19 protocols.
These allegations are insufficient to allege tortious interference, therefore this claim is dismissed.
160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 3 of 5 Motion No. 001
3 of 5 [* 3] INDEX NO. 160071/2021 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 82 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 05/01/2025
D. Retaliation Claims
Plaintiffs retaliation claims are dismissed. As held by the Court of Appeals, the mere fact
that allegedly discriminatory or adverse acts take place after engaging in allegedly protected
activity does not give rise to an inference of causality (Forrest v Jewish Guild for the Blind, 3
NY3d 295, 313-14 [2004]). Although Plaintiff alleges she engaged in a protected activity, she fails
to allege that the termination of her employment was causally related to her complaints about
discrimination and non-compliance with Covid-19 safety procedures (see, e.g. Whitfield-Ortiz v
Department of Educ. of City ofNew York, 116 AD3d 580,581 [1st Dept 2014]).
Plaintiffs allegations tie her termination to reports that she called Whole Foods employees
racist, referred to them as "colored people," threatened to call the police on Whole Foods for failure
to comply with Covid-19 safety procedures, and was allegedly ranting loudly to the Whole Foods
on site manager (Anandaraja v Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 227 AD3d 533,536 [1st
Dept 2024] [no factual allegations of anyone acting with retaliatory intent required dismissal of
retaliation claim]; Lum v Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., 209 AD3d 434,435
[1st Dept 2022] [retaliation claim failed where plaintiffs allegations tied his termination to
allegedly positive drug result test]; see also Hunts Point Multi-Service Center, Inc. v Bizardi, 45
AD3d 481, 481-82 [1st Dept 2007]). Thus, the retaliation claims are dismissed (see Massaro v
department of Educ. of City of New York, 121 AD3d 569, 570 [1st Dept 2014]). As the Second
Amended Complaint is dismissed, Defendants' motion to strike certain allegations is moot.
E. Plaintiff's Cross Motion
The Court denies Plaintiffs motion seeking default judgment against Defendants.
Defendants have appeared and vigorously defended this case, seeking and obtaining dismissal of
numerous amended pleadings. Likewise, the Court denies Plaintiff leave to amend. She has now
160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 4 of 5 Motion No. 001
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had numerous opportunities to amend her complaint, which has resulted in dismissal each time. At
some point there must be finality to this lawsuit, which has bounced back and forth between state
and federal court for approximately three and a half years. Moreover, Plaintiff did not annex a
copy of the proposed amended pleadings to her motion papers as required by CPLR 3025(b).
To the extent Plaintiff sought leave to file an oversized brief, the Court has considered the
already filed a 9,575-word brief. Finally, the Court does not consider the Defendants' motion
untimely, nor were any defenses under the CPLR waived. The prior motions to dismiss were made
in Federal Court, not in State Court under the CPLR. In any event this Court maintains the
discretion to extend the deadlines for certain filings pursuant to CPLR 2004. The Court has
considered the remainder of Plaintiff's contentions and finds them to be unavailing.
Accordingly, it is hereby,
ORDERED that Defendants' motion is granted to the extent that Plaintiff's Second
Amended Complaint is dismissed, and the remainder of Defendants' motion is moot; and it is
further
ORDERED that Plaintiff's cross motion is denied in its entirety; and it is further
ORDERED that within ten days of entry, counsel for Defendants shall serve a copy of this
Decision and Order, with notice of entry, on all parties via NYSCEF.
This constitutes the Decision and Order of the Court.
5/1/2025 DATE f1t"-~ ARY HON. V /?..H.w JS C V. ROSADO, J.S.C. CHECK ONE: CASE DISPOSED NON-FINAL DISPOSITION
GRANTED □ DENIED GRANTED IN PART □ OTHER APPLICATION: SETTLE ORDER SUBMIT ORDER
CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT □ REFERENCE
160071/2021 FLAHERTY, MARIE vs. DIXON, LINDSEY S. ET AL Page 5 of 5 Motion No. 001
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