Summary
dismissing employment discrimination claims under similar facts
Summary of this case from Bexley v. Dillon Companies, Inc.Opinion
NO. 1:01CV222-B-D
March 29, 2002
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This cause comes before the court on the defendant's motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, motion for summary judgment. Since the court considered exhibits outside the pleadings, the instant motion is construed as a motion for summary judgment. The court notes that the plaintiff, through counsel, failed to submit a reply memorandum of authority, as required by Local Rule 7.2(D).
The plaintiff submitted a reply in opposition but cited no authority.
On a motion for summary judgment, the movant has the initial burden of showing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325? 91 L.Ed.2d 265, 275 (1986) ("the burden on the moving party may be discharged by `showing' . . . that there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmoving party's case"). Under Rule 56(e) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the burden shifts to the nonmovant to "go beyond the pleadings and by . . . affidavits, or by the `depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, designate `specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial"' Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 324, 91 L. Ed.2d at 274. Thai burden is not discharged by "mere allegations or denials." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e). All legitimate factual inferences must be drawn in favor of the nonmovant. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242. 255, 91 L Ed.2d 202, 216 (1986); Matagorda County v. Russell Law, 19 F.3d 215, 217 (5th Cir. 1994). Rule 56(c) mandates the entry of summary judgment "against a party who fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial." Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 322, 91 L. Ed, 2d at 273. Before finding that no genuine issue for trial exists, the court must first be satisfied that no reasonable trier of fact could find for the nonmovant. Matsushita Elec. Indus, v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 89 L.Ed.2d 538, 552 (1986); Fed. Sav. Loan Ins. v. Krali, 968 F.2d 500, 503 (5th Cir. 1992).
This action was brought pursuant to Title VII for racial discrimination in employment The complaint alleges discriminatory incidents occurring on July 8, 1998, August 14, 1998 and August 25, 1998 and ongoing discrimination as of the filing date of June 7, 2001. The plaintiff filed separate administrative Equal Employment Opportunity [EEO] complaints for the specified incidents alleged in the complaint and for alleged incidents occurring on September 9, 1998, July 3, 1999 and July 6, 1999, The plaintiff initially contacted an EEO counselor in 1998 regarding the four alleged 1998 incidents. With respect to the two alleged 1999 incidents, the plaintiff initially contacted an EEO counselor on July 20, 1999 and August 3, 1999, respectively, The plaintiff filed formal EEO complaints on April 27, 1999, May 17, 1999 and on February 22, 2000.
In addition to the specific alleged incidents in 1998, the complaint alleges that the plaintiff "still is subjected to disparate treatment because of his race."
The April 27, 1999 EEO complaints alleged the first two 1998 incidents, the May 17, 1999 EEO complaints alleged the third and fourth 1998 incidents and the February 22, 2000 EEO complaints alleged the two 1999 incidents.
The defendant contends that this cause should be dismissed on the grounds of lack of subject matter jurisdiction or judicial estoppel. On February 23, 1999, the plaintiff filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, Cause No. 99-10804, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, under Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the United States Code. 11 U.S.C. § 521(1) of the Bankruptcy Code requires a debtor to file a schedule of assets and a statement of financial affairs, The court-appointed Bankruptcy Trustee filed a Report of No Assets on April 6, 1999. On September 21, 1999, the plaintiffs debts were discharged and his bankruptcy proceeding was closed. None of the plaintiffs EEO complaints were listed in the schedule of his assets or the statement of his financial affairs.
The requisite list of debtor's assets includes "contingent and unliquidated claims of every nature" and "[o]ther personal property of any kind." The requisite statement of financial affairs includes "all suits and administrative proceedings to which the debtor is or was a party within one year immediately preceding the filing of this bankruptcy case." Four of the plaintiffs EEO complaints were pending during the plaintiffs bankruptcy proceeding but were not disclosed therein at any time.
"Schedule B-Personal Property," item 20 and item 33, respectively.
"Statement of Financial Affairs," item 4.
The defendant contends that the plaintiff lacks standing to bring the instant action since all of the plaintiffs assets became the property of the bankruptcy estate upon the filing of his bankruptcy petition and since the claims raised in the instant complaint constitute assets for
(`The filing of a bankruptcy petition creates a bankruptcy estate" under 11 U.S.C § 54(a) Lawrence v. Jackson Mack Sale. Inc., 837 F. Supp. 771, 779 (S.D. Miss. 1992).