0120110199
02-17-2011
Ann Burton, Complainant, v. Eric K. Shinseki, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs, Agency.
Ann Burton,
Complainant,
v.
Eric K. Shinseki,
Secretary,
Department of Veterans Affairs,
Agency.
Appeal No. 0120110199
Agency No. 200H-0630-2010103822
DECISION
Upon review, we find that the Agency's decision dated August 27, 2010,
dismissing Complainant's complaint for failure to state a claim is proper
pursuant to 29 C.F.R. �1614.107(a)(1). The Agency's decision dismissing
the complaint is AFFIRMED.
BACKGROUND
The record indicates that the Agency identified the claims of the
complaint as whether Complainant, a former employee of the Agency, was
subjected to discrimination in reprisal for prior EEO activity when: on
June 11, 2010, she reported that VA officials invaded her home and stole
her VA diary; on June 11, 2010, she reported that VA officials tampered
with her food; on June 11, 2010, she reported that VA officials invaded
her home and left other harassing signs of entry; on July 2, 2010, she
reported that VA officials invaded her home and stole several documents;
on July 2, 2010, she reported that VA officials deleted her attorney
file from her computer, desktop and flash drive, which contained some of
the VA diary; on July 2, 2010, she reported that VA officials changed
the Staff Blue Agency Application in her G-mail; and, on July 2, 2010,
she reported that VA officials invaded her home and stole a letter from
[identified] Congressman. Complainant does not challenge the Agency's
framing of her claims.
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
After a review of the record, we find that the alleged claims fail
to state a claim. The alleged incidents purportedly occurred after
Complainant's termination and did not concern her employment at the
Agency. Thus, we find that the alleged matters are beyond the scope of
the regulations.
Accordingly, the Agency's decision dismissing Complainant's complaint
is AFFIRMED.
STATEMENT OF RIGHTS - ON APPEAL
RECONSIDERATION (M0610)
The Commission may, in its discretion, reconsider the decision in this
case if the Complainant or the Agency submits a written request containing
arguments or evidence which tend to establish that:
1. The appellate decision involved a clearly erroneous interpretation
of material fact or law; or
2. The appellate decision will have a substantial impact on the
policies, practices, or operations of the Agency.
Requests to reconsider, with supporting statement or brief, must be filed
with the Office of Federal Operations (OFO) within thirty (30) calendar
days of receipt of this decision or within twenty (20) calendar days of
receipt of another party's timely request for reconsideration. See 29
C.F.R. � 1614.405; Equal Employment Opportunity Management Directive
for 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 (EEO MD-110), at 9-18 (November 9, 1999).
All requests and arguments must be submitted to the Director, Office of
Federal Operations, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, P.O. Box
77960, Washington, DC 20013. In the absence of a legible postmark, the
request to reconsider shall be deemed timely filed if it is received by
mail within five days of the expiration of the applicable filing period.
See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604. The request or opposition must also include
proof of service on the other party.
Failure to file within the time period will result in dismissal of your
request for reconsideration as untimely, unless extenuating circumstances
prevented the timely filing of the request. Any supporting documentation
must be submitted with your request for reconsideration. The Commission
will consider requests for reconsideration filed after the deadline only
in very limited circumstances. See 29 C.F.R. � 1614.604(c).
COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO FILE A CIVIL ACTION (S0610)
You have the right to file a civil action in an appropriate United States
District Court within ninety (90) calendar days from the date that you
receive this decision. If you file a civil action, you must name as the
defendant in the complaint the person who is the official Agency head
or department head, identifying that person by his or her full name and
official title. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of your
case in court. "Agency" or "department" means the national organization,
and not the local office, facility or department in which you work. If you
file a request to reconsider and also file a civil action, filing a civil
action will terminate the administrative processing of your complaint.
RIGHT TO REQUEST COUNSEL (Z0610)
If you decide to file a civil action, and if you do not have or cannot
afford the services of an attorney, you may request from the Court that
the Court appoint an attorney to represent you and that the Court also
permit you to file the action without payment of fees, costs, or other
security. See Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended,
42 U.S.C. � 2000e et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended,
29 U.S.C. �� 791, 794(c). The grant or denial of the request is within
the sole discretion of the Court. Filing a request for an attorney with
the Court does not extend your time in which to file a civil action.
Both the request and the civil action must be filed within the time
limits as stated in the paragraph above ("Right to File A Civil Action").
FOR THE COMMISSION:
______________________________
Carlton M. Hadden, Director
Office of Federal Operations
2/17/11
__________________
Date
2
0120110199
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Office of Federal Operations
P.O. Box 77960
Washington, DC 20013