UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD
JOHANNA ELIZABETH MARTINEZ, DOCKET NUMBER Appellant, PH-3443-20-0260-I-1
v.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DATE: November 21, 2024 Agency.
THIS FINAL ORDER IS NONPRECEDENTIAL 1
Robert B. Nealon , Esquire, Alexandria, Virginia, for the appellant.
Brian M. Anderson , Esquire, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, for the agency.
BEFORE
Cathy A. Harris, Chairman Raymond A. Limon, Vice Chairman Henry J. Kerner, Member*
*Member Kerner recused himself and did not participate in the adjudication of this appeal.
FINAL ORDER
The appellant has filed a petition for review of the initial decision, which dismissed her appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Generally, we grant petitions such as this one only in the following circumstances: the initial decision contains 1 A nonprecedential order is one that the Board has determined does not add significantly to the body of MSPB case law. Parties may cite nonprecedential orders, but such orders have no precedential value; the Board and administrative judges are not required to follow or distinguish them in any future decisions.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
erroneous findings of material fact; the initial decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of statute or regulation or the erroneous application of the law to the facts of the case; the administrative judge’s rulings during either the course of the appeal or the initial decision were not consistent with required procedures or involved an abuse of discretion, and the resulting error affected the outcome of the case; or new and material evidence or legal argument is available that, despite the petitioner’s due diligence, was not available when the record closed. Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 1201.115 (5 C.F.R. § 1201.115). After fully considering the filings in this appeal, we conclude that the petitioner has not established any basis under section 1201.115 for granting the petition for review. Therefore, we DENY the petition for review and AFFIRM the initial decision, which is now the Board’s final decision. 5 C.F.R. § 1201.113(b). On petition for review, the appellant reasserts her argument that the Board has jurisdiction over her claims of prohibited personnel practices under 5 U.S.C. § 2302. Petition for Review (PFR) File, Tab 1 at 10-16; Initial Appeal File (IAF), Tab 11 at 11-13. 2 After considering the appellant’s argument, we find that it was adequately addressed by the administrative judge in the initial decision, and we discern no basis to disturb her finding that the appellant has failed to assert a nonfrivolous allegation 3 of Board jurisdiction over her appeal. IAF, Tab 18, Initial Decision at 3-4; see Pridgen v. Office of Management and Budget , 117 M.S.P.R. 665, ¶ 7 (2012); see also Solamon v. Department of Commerce , 119 M.S.P.R. 1, ¶ 14 (2012) (finding that, in the absence of an otherwise
2 For the first time on review, the appellant has submitted a copy of an amicus curiae brief filed by the Office of Special Counsel on January 29, 2020, in a separate Board proceeding involving different parties. PFR File, Tab 1 at 20-31. Even considering this documentation, we find that it does not warrant a different outcome of this appeal. See Russo v. Veterans Administration, 3 M.S.P.R. 345, 349 (1980) (finding that the Board generally will not grant a petition for review based on new evidence absent a showing that it is of sufficient weight to warrant an outcome different from that of the initial decision). 3 A nonfrivolous allegation is an assertion that, if proven, could establish the matter at issue. 5 C.F.R. § 1201.4(s). 3
appealable action, the Board lacked jurisdiction to review the appellant’s claim that the agency violated merit system principles). Moreover, the parties’ disagreement on review regarding the merits of the appealed matter is immaterial to the dispositive jurisdictional issue. PFR File, Tab 3 at 6-9, Tab 4 at 4-6; see Morrison v. Department of the Navy, 122 M.S.P.R. 205, ¶ 11 (2015) (declining to reach the appellant’s claim on review of prohibited personnel practices because it was not relevant to the threshold jurisdictional issue). Accordingly, we affirm the initial decision dismissing this appeal for lack of jurisdiction. 4
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
4 In reply to the agency’s response to the petition for review, the appellant’s attorney representative states that the appellant “has sought administrative remedy from the [Office of Special Counsel (OSC)] by request dated on or about July 14, 2020.” PFR File, Tab 4 at 8. This Final Order does not preclude the appellant from filing a separate individual right of action (IRA) appeal with the Board’s regional office after exhausting her administrative remedies before OSC. See Corthell v. Department of Homeland Security, 123 M.S.P.R. 417, ¶ 8 (2016) (setting forth the jurisdictional burdens and elements of proving jurisdiction in a typical IRA appeal), overruled on other grounds by Requena v. Department of Homeland Security, 2022 MSPB 39. To timely file an IRA appeal, she must file with the Board within 65 days after the issuance of OSC’s closure letter or, if no closure letter has been issued, at any time after the expiration of 120 days from when she first sought corrective action from OSC. 5 U.S.C. § 1214(a) (3); Hamley v. Department of the Interior, 122 M.S.P.R. 290, ¶ 8 (2015); 5 C.F.R. § 1209.5(a). 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. 4
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 time 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 .
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD
JOHANNA ELIZABETH MARTINEZ, DOCKET NUMBER Appellant, PH-3443-20-0260-I-1
v.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, DATE: November 21, 2024 Agency.
THIS FINAL ORDER IS NONPRECEDENTIAL 1
Robert B. Nealon , Esquire, Alexandria, Virginia, for the appellant.
Brian M. Anderson , Esquire, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, for the agency.
BEFORE
Cathy A. Harris, Chairman Raymond A. Limon, Vice Chairman Henry J. Kerner, Member*
*Member Kerner recused himself and did not participate in the adjudication of this appeal.
FINAL ORDER
The appellant has filed a petition for review of the initial decision, which dismissed her appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Generally, we grant petitions such as this one only in the following circumstances: the initial decision contains 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
erroneous findings of material fact; the initial decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of statute or regulation or the erroneous application of the law to the facts of the case; the administrative judge’s rulings during either the course of the appeal or the initial decision were not consistent with required procedures or involved an abuse of discretion, and the resulting error affected the outcome of the case; or new and material evidence or legal argument is available that, despite the petitioner’s due diligence, was not available when the record closed. Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, section 1201.115 (5 C.F.R. § 1201.115). After fully considering the filings in this appeal, we conclude that the petitioner has not established any basis under section 1201.115 for granting the petition for review. Therefore, we DENY the petition for review and AFFIRM the initial decision, which is now the Board’s final decision. 5 C.F.R. § 1201.113(b). On petition for review, the appellant reasserts her argument that the Board has jurisdiction over her claims of prohibited personnel practices under 5 U.S.C. § 2302. Petition for Review (PFR) File, Tab 1 at 10-16; Initial Appeal File (IAF), Tab 11 at 11-13. 2 After considering the appellant’s argument, we find that it was adequately addressed by the administrative judge in the initial decision, and we discern no basis to disturb her finding that the appellant has failed to assert a nonfrivolous allegation 3 of Board jurisdiction over her appeal. IAF, Tab 18, Initial Decision at 3-4; see Pridgen v. Office of Management and Budget , 117 M.S.P.R. 665, ¶ 7 (2012); see also Solamon v. Department of Commerce , 119 M.S.P.R. 1, ¶ 14 (2012) (finding that, in the absence of an otherwise
2 For the first time on review, the appellant has submitted a copy of an amicus curiae brief filed by the Office of Special Counsel on January 29, 2020, in a separate Board proceeding involving different parties. PFR File, Tab 1 at 20-31. Even considering this documentation, we find that it does not warrant a different outcome of this appeal. See Russo v. Veterans Administration, 3 M.S.P.R. 345, 349 (1980) (finding that the Board generally will not grant a petition for review based on new evidence absent a showing that it is of sufficient weight to warrant an outcome different from that of the initial decision). 3 A nonfrivolous allegation is an assertion that, if proven, could establish the matter at issue. 5 C.F.R. § 1201.4(s). 3
appealable action, the Board lacked jurisdiction to review the appellant’s claim that the agency violated merit system principles). Moreover, the parties’ disagreement on review regarding the merits of the appealed matter is immaterial to the dispositive jurisdictional issue. PFR File, Tab 3 at 6-9, Tab 4 at 4-6; see Morrison v. Department of the Navy, 122 M.S.P.R. 205, ¶ 11 (2015) (declining to reach the appellant’s claim on review of prohibited personnel practices because it was not relevant to the threshold jurisdictional issue). Accordingly, we affirm the initial decision dismissing this appeal for lack of jurisdiction. 4
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
4 In reply to the agency’s response to the petition for review, the appellant’s attorney representative states that the appellant “has sought administrative remedy from the [Office of Special Counsel (OSC)] by request dated on or about July 14, 2020.” PFR File, Tab 4 at 8. This Final Order does not preclude the appellant from filing a separate individual right of action (IRA) appeal with the Board’s regional office after exhausting her administrative remedies before OSC. See Corthell v. Department of Homeland Security, 123 M.S.P.R. 417, ¶ 8 (2016) (setting forth the jurisdictional burdens and elements of proving jurisdiction in a typical IRA appeal), overruled on other grounds by Requena v. Department of Homeland Security, 2022 MSPB 39. To timely file an IRA appeal, she must file with the Board within 65 days after the issuance of OSC’s closure letter or, if no closure letter has been issued, at any time after the expiration of 120 days from when she first sought corrective action from OSC. 5 U.S.C. § 1214(a) (3); Hamley v. Department of the Interior, 122 M.S.P.R. 290, ¶ 8 (2015); 5 C.F.R. § 1209.5(a). 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. 4
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 time 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: 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 5
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 requirement of prepayment of fees, costs, or other security. 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 6
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 delivery 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 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
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. 7
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 Board neither endorses the services provided by any attorney nor warrants that any attorney will accept representation in a given case. 8
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: ______________________________ Gina K. Grippando Clerk of the Board Washington, D.C.