Opinion
No. CIV S-10-2033 KJM GGH PS.
April 29, 2011
ORDER; FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS
I. Introduction
Plaintiff is proceeding pro se in this action, which was referred to the undersigned pursuant to Local Rule 302(c)(21). Presently pending is defendant's motion to dismiss this action for failure to exhaust administrative remedies, as barred by the statute of limitations, barred by res judicata and collateral estoppel and as plaintiff previously agreed to arbitrate any claims. Plaintiff filed a brief opposition and defendant filed a reply.
II. Judicial Notice
Defendant requests judicial notice (see Docket #16) of, inter alia, the Superior Court complaint against this same defendant pertinent to the events of which plaintiff complains in federal court, the Superior Court order regarding arbitration of the state claims, the arbitrator's decision and the FEHA administrative complaint pertinent to plaintiff's claims herein. These documents are referenced in the factual discussion and in the analysis below. All of these judicial and quasi-judicial documents are susceptible of judicial notice and the undersigned grants defendant's request in this regard. See Smith v. Duncan, 297 F.3d 809, 815 (9th Cir. 2002) abrogated on other grounds, see Moreno v. Harris, 245 Fed. Appx. 606 (9th Cir. 2007).
III. Background
The instant complaint, filed on July 30, 2010, alleges that plaintiff's termination from his sales position at Macy's Department Store was discriminatory based on his race, age and gender. Plaintiff was initially hired by Macy's on October 24, 2004, as a temporary employee and was later offered a full time position. In September 2005, plaintiff was working in the furniture department. It appears that plaintiff's employment was terminated in October 2005, though in plaintiff's complaint he states he was working for Macy's in May 2006 and was terminated at some point after that following a series of events. Unfortunately, plaintiff does not provide a clear time line in his pleadings. As the events described by plaintiff and defendant are similar, defendant's records and motion indicate plaintiff was terminated in October 2005. As plaintiff has not stated otherwise in his opposition, the court will assume that plaintiff is simply mistaken in his dates. The other filings discussed below also demonstrate that plaintiff is mistaken about his dates. As will be discussed below, even assuming plaintiff was rehired and then fired sometime in 2006, the case must still be dismissed.
Plaintiff's Sacramento Superior Court complaint also indicated he was terminated in October 2005 (Doc. 16, Exh. 3 at 5) as does the complaint to the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (Doc. 16, Exh. 3 at 1)
Plaintiff filed a complaint with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) on January 19, 2006. Doc. 16, Exh. 6. Plaintiff alleged that he was denied equal pay, retaliated against and terminated due to frivolous complaints filed against him and because of his age, ancestry and color. Id. On January 23, 2006, plaintiff received a right to sue notice from DFEH. Doc. 16, Exh. 7. The notice informed plaintiff that if a federal notice of right to sue is wanted he must file a complaint with the EEOC within 30 days of receiving the DFEH notice or within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory act. There is no indication plaintiff ever formally filed a complaint with the EEOC.
On September 15, 2006, plaintiff filed a complaint in Sacramento County Superior Court. Doc. 16, Exh. 3. The suit was against Macy's Department Store and while it is difficult to discern distinct causes of action, it includes allegations that plaintiff's rights were violated due to falsification of facts and false complaints of sexual harassment that led to his termination. Id. In March 27, 2007, defendant's motion to compel arbitration was granted and the parties were ordered to arbitration pursuant to the employment agreement. Doc. 16, Exh. 4.
An arbitration decision was issued on July 7, 2008, finding for defendant and also that plaintiff owed defendant $840 for failing to comply with discovery, which plaintiff agreed to pay. Doc. 16, Exh. 5. The decision specifically found that there was no merit to plaintiff's claims including claims of age and race discrimination and the decision cited to federal law. Doc. 16, Exh. 5 at 4-5.
Plaintiff filed the instant action in federal court on July 30, 2010.
IV. Standards on a Motion to Dismiss
In order to survive dismissal for failure to state a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), a complaint must contain more than a "formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action;" it must contain factual allegations sufficient to "raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 1965 (2007). "The pleading must contain something more . . . than . . . a statement of facts that merely creates a suspicion [of] a legally cognizable right of action." Id., quoting 5 C. Wright A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 1216, pp. 235-236 (3d ed. 2004). "[A] complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to `state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.'" Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ____, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009) (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955). "A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Id.
In considering a motion to dismiss, the court must accept as true the allegations of the complaint in question, Hospital Bldg. Co. v. Rex Hospital Trustees, 425 U.S. 738, 740, 96 S. Ct. 1848, 1850 (1976), construe the pleading in the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion and resolve all doubts in the pleader's favor. Jenkins v. McKeithen, 395 U.S. 411, 421, 89 S. Ct. 1843, 1849, reh'g denied, 396 U.S. 869, 90 S. Ct. 35 (1969). The court will "`presume that general allegations embrace those specific facts that are necessary to support the claim.'"National Organization for Women, Inc. v. Scheidler, 510 U.S. 249, 256, 114 S.Ct. 798, 803 (1994), quoting Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 561, 112 S. Ct. 2130, 2137 (1992). Moreover, pro se pleadings are held to a less stringent standard than those drafted by lawyers. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S. Ct. 594, 596 (1972).
The court may consider facts established by exhibits attached to the complaint. Durning v. First Boston Corp., 815 F.2d 1265, 1267 (9th Cir. 1987). The court may also consider facts which may be judicially noticed, Mullis v. United States Bankruptcy Ct., 828 F.2d 1385, 1388 (9th Cir. 1987), and matters of public record, including pleadings, orders, and other papers filed with the court, Mack v. South Bay Beer Distributors, 798 F.2d 1279, 1282 (9th Cir. 1986). The court need not accept legal conclusions "cast in the form of factual allegations." Western Mining Council v. Watt, 643 F.2d 618, 624 (9th Cir. 1981).
A pro se litigant is entitled to notice of the deficiencies in the complaint and an opportunity to amend, unless the complaint's deficiencies could not be cured by amendment. See Noll v. Carlson, 809 F. 2d 1446, 1448 (9th Cir. 1987).
The two grounds adjudicated by the court herein are susceptible to a motion to dismiss as the res judicata ground may be established by facts of which the court can take judicial notice, and the statute of limitations ground may be decided on a motion to dismiss if the action is barred on its face or is shown to be barred by judicially noticeable documentation.
V. Res Judicata
Legal Standard Res judicata, or claim preclusion, prohibits lawsuits on "any claims that were raised or could have been raised" in a prior action. Owens v. Kaiser Found. Health Plan, Inc., 244 F.3d 708, 713 (9th Cir. 2001) (quoting W. Radio Servs. Co. v. Glickman, 123 F.3d 1189, 1192 (9th Cir. 1997)). "To determine the preclusive effect of a state court judgment, federal courts look to state law." Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc. v. The Crest Group, Inc., 499 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir. 2007).
While some courts intermix the related principles of res judicata and collateral estoppel, California properly distinguishes between the two:
"Res judicata" describes the preclusive effect of a final judgment on the merits. Res judicata, or claim preclusion, prevents relitigation of the same cause of action in a second suit between the same parties or parties in privity with them. Collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, "precludes relitigation of issues argued and decided in prior proceedings." ( Lucido v. Superior Court (1990) 51 Cal.3d 335, 341, 272 Cal.Rptr. 767, 795 P.2d 1223.) FN7
FN7. While the term "res judicata" has been used to encompass both claim preclusion and issue preclusion, we here use the term "res judicata" only to refer to claim preclusion. As we have noted, "The doctrine of collateral estoppel is one aspect of the concept of res judicata. In modern usage, however, the two terms have distinct meanings." ( Lucido v. Superior Court, supra, 51 Cal.3d at p. 341, fn. 3, 272 Cal.Rptr. 767, 795 P.2d 1223.)Mycogen Corp. V. Monsanto Co., 28 Cal. 4th 888, 896, 123 Cal. Rptr. 2d 432, 437 (2002).
Thus, res judicata may bar a new claim based on the same events as those involved in a prior action, but which claim was not brought in a prior action, whereas collateral estoppel requires a precise identity of issue(s) sought to be litigated in the two actions. Res judicata primarily is at issue here in that the previous state court action and arbitration involved discrimination cause(s) of action based on the same events that plaintiff attempts to relitigate here. Plaintiff attempts to raise the same claims previously decided as well as some new theories within the discrimination cause(s) of action.
A clear and predictable res judicata doctrine promotes judicial economy. Under this doctrine, all claims based on the same cause of action must be decided in a single suit; if not brought initially, they may not be raised at a later date. "`Res judicata precludes piecemeal litigation by splitting a single cause of action or relitigation of the same cause of action on a different legal theory or for different relief.'" ( Weikel v. TCW Realty Fund II Holding Co. (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 1234, 1245, 65 Cal.Rptr.2d 25.) A predictable doctrine of res judicata benefits both the parties and the courts because it "seeks to curtail multiple litigation causing vexation and expense to the parties and wasted effort and expense in judicial administration." (7 Witkin, Cal. Procedure (4th ed. 1997) Judgment, § 280, p. 820.)Id. at 897, 123 Cal. Rptr. 2d at 438. (Emphasis in original).
The Ninth Circuit has held, "`[a]n arbitration decision can have res judicata or collateral estoppel effect.'" C.D. Anderson Co., Inc. v. Lemos, 832 F.2d 1097, 1100 (9th Cir. 1987) (quoting Greenblatt v. Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc., 763 F.2d 1352, 1360 (9th Cir. 1985)). The California Court of Appeal held, "[t]he doctrine of res judicata applies not only to judicial proceedings but also to arbitration proceedings. Thibodeau v. Crum, 4 Cal.App.4th 749, 755, 6 Cal.Rptr.2d 27 (1992) (quotingLehto v. Underground Constr. Co., 69 Cal.App.3d 933, 939, 138 Cal.Rptr. 419 (1977)).
Analysis
Defendant argues that plaintiff's claims are barred by res judicata based on the state court arbitration order and the arbitration decision judgment concerning these issues. In the instant case, res judicata applies as the parties are identical from the prior action and plaintiff is indeed bringing the same claims from the prior action. Furthermore, the prior action resulted in a final (arbitration) judgment on the merits.
While plaintiff's superior court complaint was not a model of clarity and it is difficult to discern what his claims are, in arbitration plaintiff presented his claims as race and age discrimination, which were denied in the arbitration decision. Doc. 16, Exh. 5 at 4-5. Although the superior court complaint does not indicate if plaintiff brought these claims under federal or state law, the arbitration decision denied the claims citing to federal law. Id. at 4.
The only difference between the prior superior court complaint, and in the instant complaint, is that plaintiff is now bringing a gender discrimination claim that was not brought in the prior action. However, res judicata bars the gender claim as it could have been brought in the prior action, as it was based on the same series of events. See Mycogen, supra; Owens v. Kaiser Found. Health Plan, Inc., supra.
Plaintiff argues that this action should be allowed to proceed, because it is an amendment that relates back to the same operative facts of the 2006 superior court complaint. Plaintiff's argument fails as he is not attempting to amend his superior court complaint. This is an original complaint filed in federal court. Plaintiff cannot amend a complaint in federal court that was brought four years prior in state court. If the rule were otherwise, res judicata would be a moribund doctrine.
Plaintiff finally argues, at least in his complaint, that he believed the arbitration process to be unfair and that he was "railroaded" by those who make their living doing arbitrations. He believes he should be able to proceed with his civil rights claims regardless of any arbitration. While at one point the Supreme Court was trending in the direction of not permitting one's statutory rights under the various discrimination statutes to be avoided by arbitration requirements, Alexander v. Gardner-Denver, 415 U.S. 36, 94 S.Ct. 1011 (1974) (involving a grievance procedure in a collective bargaining agreement), the Supreme Court has squarely found in recent cases that arbitration is a favored mechanism for resolving nearly all claims, including civil rights cases. Circuit City Stores v. Adams, 532 U.S. 105, 122-123, 121 S.Ct. 1302, 1313, and at 131-132 (n. 14 citing cases) (Stevens dissenting). See also, 14 Penn Plaza v. Pyett, ___ U.S. ___. 129 S.Ct. 1456 (2009).
For all these reasons, plaintiff's action is barred by res judicata.
VI. Exhaustion and Statute of Limitations
In addition to being barred by res judicata plaintiff's complaint is also barred on its face by the statute of limitations. Legal Standard
In order to bring a civil action under Title VII, a plaintiff is first required to exhaust administrative remedies. See e.g.Lyons v. England, 307 F.3d 1092, 1103-04 (9th Cir. 2002). To exhaust administrative remedies the aggrieved party must file a timely charge with the EEOC. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(b); Lyons, 307 F.3d at 1104. In a state where there is a law prohibiting the unlawful employment practice and authorizing a state or local authority to grant or seek relief from such practice, the aggrieved party must first begin proceedings under state or local law before filing a charge with the EEOC. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(c). Generally, a person must file a charge with the EEOC within 180 days after the alleged unlawful employment practice occurred. 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(e)(1). However, if the aggrieved person initially instituted proceedings with a State or local agency, the period for filing with the EEOC is extended to 300 days after the alleged violation. Id.
After filing with the State or local agency, an aggrieved party is not required to file a separate charge with the EEOC. Under Title VII the state agency has the initial right to process a complaint for 60 days; therefore, a charge is generally not considered filed with the EEOC until the expiration of 60 days, unless the state has "earlier terminated" its proceedings. 42 U.S.C. 2000e-5(c). In order to ensure timely filing with the EEOC, a claimant should generally file with the appropriate state agency within 240 days of the alleged unlawful practice. See Mohosco Corp. v. Silver, 447 U.S. 807, 815, 100 S.Ct. 2486 (1980). A state agency's proceeding is considered "terminated" if it has waived the 60 day deferral period in a worksharing agreement with the EEOC. Laquaglia v. Rio Hotel Casino, 186 F.3d 1172, 1174-75 (9th Cir. 1999). If the state agency waives the deferral period then a charge that is filed with the state agency is considered constructively filed with the EEOC on the same day. Laquaglia, 186 F.3d at 1175; Green v. L. A. County Superintendent of Schools, 883 F.2d 1472, 1476 (9th Cir. 1989).
The DFEH is the California agency that has entered into a worksharing agreement with the EEOC. 29 C.F.R § 1601.74. In order to initiate proceedings with the DFEH, the plaintiff must file a charge, which consists of a "verified complaint, in writing." Cal. Gov't. Code § 12960(b). Based on the worksharing agreement, the DFEH is considered an agent of the EEOC, and thus, on the date that a charge is initiated with the DFEH it is considered constructively filed with the EEOC. Green, 883 F.2d at 1476 (9th Cir. 1989).
A plaintiff filing a complaint under Title VII has ninety days to file the complaint in federal court after receiving the right to sue letter from the appropriate agency. See 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-16(c) ("Within 90 days of receipt of notice of final action taken by . . . the [EEOC] . . . if aggrieved by the final disposition of his complaint, or by the failure to take final action on his complaint, [an employee] may file a civil action [.]"); 42 U.S.C. § 2000e-5(f)(1) (requiring the filing of a civil action within 90 days of receiving a right to sue notice). This requirement effectively serves as a statute of limitations for the filing of Title VII claims. See Surrell v. California Water Services, 518 F.3d 1097, 1104 (9th Cir. 2008); Nelmida v. Shelly Eurocars, Inc., 112 F.3d 380, 383 (9th Cir. 1997). If a claimant fails to file the civil action within the ninety-day period, the action is barred. Scholar v. Pacific Bell, 963 F.2d 264, 267 (9th Cir. 1992). Similarly, plaintiff must bring a civil action under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) within 90 days after receiving a right to sue notice from the appropriate agency. 29 U.S.C. § 626(e).
Analysis
Plaintiff filed a complaint with DFEH on January 19, 2006. Doc. 16, Exh. 6. On January 23, 2006, plaintiff received a right to sue notice from DFEH. The fact that plaintiff did not file a separate charge with the EEOC is not outcome determinative in this case. However, plaintiff filed the instant federal case on July 30, 2010, more than four years after he received the right to sue notice from DFEH and well beyond the ninety days allowed to commence a suit. The instant complaint was also filed more than two years after the issuance of the arbitration decision. While plaintiff has not set forth any arguments for equitable tolling, any such argument requesting tolling due to the superior court case or arbitration would be meritless as plaintiff was still well beyond the statute of limitations, as the arbitration decision was issued in 2008.
As discussed above, there is a discrepancy regarding the dates plaintiff was hired and fired. Plaintiff states that his seasonal position ended in late 2005 and then he was rehired in the furniture department in 2006 and then improperly fired. Assuming that plaintiff's dates are accurate, plaintiff has presented no evidence that he exhausted his administrative remedies for any incidents in 2006. The lack of any exhaustion is a jurisdictional impediment. Sommatino v. United States, 255 F.3d 704, 708 (9th Cir. 2001). His complaint with DFEH was filed on January 19, 2006, and only involved the termination in October 2005. If plaintiff was rehired in 2006 after his October 2005, termination, he has failed to present evidence in this motion to dismiss that he exhausted his administrative remedies for any other incidents. Also, plaintiff is well beyond the statute of limitations by filing the instant complaint approximately four years after the alleged conduct.
Plaintiff also argues that the arbitration clause in the contract would not be valid when he was rehired. Even if this is accurate, plaintiff's claim must still be dismissed as being untimely and for failure to exhaust.
Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that defendant's request for judicial notice is granted;
IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that for the reasons stated above defendant's motion to dismiss (Doc. 21) be granted and this case dismissed. As there does not appear to be any way that plaintiff could amend his complaint to avoid the res judicata bar and/or the statute of limitations expiration, the undersigned will not order such amendment.
These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1). Within fourteen days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned "Objections to Magistrate Judge's Findings and Recommendations." Any reply to the objections shall be served and filed within seven days after service of the objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may waive the right to appeal the District Court's order. Martinez v. Ylst, 951 F.2d 1153 (9th Cir. 1991).