Employment Law-Double Jeopardy

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Carlos Williams v. Louis DeJoy

Case No.: 22-2472

Officials: Easterbrook, Wood, and St. Eve, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Employment Law-Double Jeopardy

The case revolves around Carlos Williams, a former employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS), who asserted that his termination from USPS was driven by discriminatory motives. Williams, a Black individual identifying as Choctaw and Moor, had been with USPS for 17 years and had lodged multiple complaints against the organization, citing mistreatment of himself and fellow postal workers. In 2014, Williams was discharged after an extended absence from work.

The district court narrowed the focus of Williams’ lawsuit to concentrate on the 2014 termination and the allegations of retaliation and discrimination based on race, gender, and national origin. Following a five-day trial, the jury ruled in favor of the USPS, prompting Williams to appeal.

The Seventh Circuit upheld the district court’s decision. The court dismissed Williams’ claims of double jeopardy (arguing that his suspension and subsequent firing constituted punishment for the same conduct) and violation of due process rights. These claims were deemed irrelevant to the original employment discrimination complaint and were not initially included in the pleadings. Additionally, the court determined that the district court’s decision not to appoint a third lawyer for Williams after the withdrawal of his first two attorneys was justified. Finally, the court concluded that the district court’s pretrial evidentiary rulings and trial management decisions were free of error.

Affirmed.

Decided 12/15/23

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