Williams v. Rice

983 F.2d 177, 1993 U.S. App. LEXIS 9, 60 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 41,967, 60 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 897, 1993 WL 447
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
DecidedJanuary 4, 1993
DocketNo. 92-6002
StatusPublished
Cited by151 cases

This text of 983 F.2d 177 (Williams v. Rice) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Williams v. Rice, 983 F.2d 177, 1993 U.S. App. LEXIS 9, 60 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 41,967, 60 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 897, 1993 WL 447 (10th Cir. 1993).

Opinion

PAUL KELLY, Jr., Circuit Judge.

Plaintiff-appellant Larry Williams appeals the district court’s summary judgment ruling dismissing his claims of wrongful termination and discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16. Our jurisdiction arises under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and we affirm.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff was employed as a sheet metal mechanic at Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma. On October 5, 1988, Plaintiff was involved in an altercation at the Tinker Vo-Tech Center where he was assigned. Two Air Force supervisors, Defendants Bobby Burleson and Robert Johnson, arrived at the Vo-Tech in order to speak to another employee and the Vo-Tech instructor. The Plaintiff and Mr. Burleson became involved in a confrontation in which Plaintiff threatened Mr. Burleson and shouted obscenities.

On November 22, Plaintiff received notice of the intent to remove him from federal service. The reasons given for removal were: (1) threatening behavior and gross disrespect for a supervisor; (2) abusive and offensive language; and (3) disruption of classroom activities at the Vo-Tech. Plaintiff had been suspended previously for threatening behavior. After his termination, effective January 26, 1989, Plaintiff filed an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) claiming that his removal was in retaliation for previous complaints of discrimination. The administrative law judge (AU) issued a Memorandum of Conference and Rulings which stated that the retaliation claim was the only affirmative defense raised by Mr. Williams. The AU ruled that the charges against Plaintiff were accurate, and found no evidence of retaliation for protected activity.

Plaintiff then filed a petition for review with the MSPB, alleging that the AU decision was an abuse of discretion and additionally claiming that the supervisors’ conduct constituted race discrimination. The MSPB denied the petition.

Plaintiff proceeded to district court, alleging discrimination by his supervisors and retaliation for protected activity. The district court granted Defendants’ motion for summary judgment. On appeal, Plaintiff alleges that summary judgment was improper because: (1) his discharge was in violation of Air Force regulations; (2) his claim of discrimination was properly included in his claim of reprisal; and (3) he has established a prima facia case of reprisal.

DISCUSSION

Our review of a grant of summary judgment is de novo and we apply the same legal standard used by the district court in evaluating the summary judgment motion, namely Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). Applied Genetics Int’l, Inc. v. First Affiliated Sec., Inc., 912 F.2d 1238, 1241 (10th Cir.1990). Summary judgment is appropriate if “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and ... the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). We view the evidence and draw any inferences in a light most favorable to the party opposing summary judgment, but that party must identify sufficient evidence which would require submission of the case to a jury. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249-52, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2510-12, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Hall v. Bellmon, 935 F.2d 1106, 1111 (10th Cir.1991). A movant is not required to provide evidence negating an opponent’s claim. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986).

Where a petition for review of a MSPB decision involves both discrimination and other claims it is considered a “mixed case.” On the discrimination claim, the petitioner “shall have the right to trial de novo by the reviewing court.” 5 U.S.C. § 7703(c). The other, non-discrimination [180]*180claims, however, are reviewed on the administrative record. Hayes v. United States Gov’t Printing Office, 684 F.2d 137, 141 (D.C.Cir.1982). Normally, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 7703(b)(1), the Federal Circuit has exclusive jurisdiction over appeals from the MSPB, except where, as here, the appellant's claim includes an allegation of discrimination. See 5 U.S.C. § 7703(b)(2). See also Wall v. United States, 871 F.2d 1540, 1542 (10th Cir.1989), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 1019, 110 S.Ct. 717, 107 L.Ed.2d 737 (1990); Romain v. Shear, 799 F.2d 1416, 1421 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1050, 107 S.Ct. 2183, 95 L.Ed.2d 840 (1987).

I. The Other Non-Discrimination Claims

Plaintiff first argues that his removal was in violation of Air Force regulations and that the district court applied the wrong standard of review, making summary judgment on the issue improper. Defendants counter that the MSPB decision was proper and is entitled to judicial deference.

The district court found that the AU’s conclusions were supported by overwhelming evidence and that Plaintiff failed to provide any authority for his contention that his removal violated Air Force regulations. A MSPB decision must be upheld unless the reviewing court determines that it is:

(1) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law;
(2) obtained without procedures required by law, rule, or regulation having been followed; or
(3) unsupported by substantial evidence.

5 U.S.C. § 7703(c). The reviewing court “may not substitute its judgment for that of the MSPB.” Wilder v. Prokop, 846 F.2d 613, 619 (10th Cir.1988). “Under the arbitrary and capricious standard the MSPB’s decision needs only to have a rational basis in law.” Id. at 620. We agree with the district court that the MSPB decision was not arbitrary or capricious, and Mr. Williams has again failed to cite any authority on appeal which supports his claim of violation of Air Force regulations. Summary judgment was proper as to the nondiscrimination claim.

II. The Discrimination Claim

Plaintiff asserts that his claim of discrimination was reasonably related to his claim of retaliation and was therefore included in his initial complaint.

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983 F.2d 177, 1993 U.S. App. LEXIS 9, 60 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 41,967, 60 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 897, 1993 WL 447, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/williams-v-rice-ca10-1993.