Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 1 of 10 PageID 1
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION BILLY SCHUMANN, an individual, and DUSTIN ABRAHAM, an individual, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, Plaintiffs, vs. CASE NO.: 2DI2JUN29 Pf-1 l=ZO COLLECTIVE ACTION COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A., a Florida corporation, WOLFORD COLLEGE, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, THOMAS L. COOK, an individual, and LYNDA M. WATERHOUSE, an individual, Defendants. _____________________________ ./ COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Plaintiffs, Billy Schumann ("Schumann"), and Dustin Abraham ("Abraham") (collectively ''Plaintiffs"), on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, hereby sue Defendants, Collier Anesthesia, P.A. ("Collier Anesthesia"), Wolford College, LLC ("'Wolford"), Thomas L. Cook ("Cook"), and Lynda M. Waterhouse ("Waterhouse") (collectively "Defendants"), and allege as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. This is an action brought pursuant to the Fair Labor Standard Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 201, et seq. C'FLSA") to recover unpaid overtime compensation, unpaid minimum wage compensation, liquidated damages, and attorneys' fees and costs owed to Plaintiffs and others similarly situated. Page I of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 2 of 10 PageID 2 2. Defendants had a policy and practice of not compensating employees for hours worked at a rate at least commensurate with the federal minimum wage, and requiring or permitting employees to work in excess of forty ( 40) hours in each workweek without paying them time and one half overtime compensation as required by the FLSA. 3. Pursuant to the FLSA, Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, seek overtime compensation, minimum wage compensation, liquidated damages, interest, and attorneys' fees and costs from Defendants. 4. Subsequent to the filing of this action, Plaintiffs will request this Court to authorize concurrent notice to all employees similarly situated to Plaintiffs who are or were employed by Defendants, informing them of the pendency of this action and their right to opt into this lawsuit pursuant to 29 U .S.C. 216(b ). JURISTDICTION AND VENUE 5. This Court has jurisdiction over this claim pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 216 and 28 u.s.c. 1331. 6. Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 133l(b), as the events or omissions giving rise to the claims alleged herein occurred in the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division. PARTIES 7. At all times pertinent, Plaintiffs worked for Defendants in the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division. 8. Defendant Collier Anesthesia was and is a Florida Profit Corporation conducting business in the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division, and subject to the requirements ofthe FLSA. Page 2 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 3 of 10 PageID 3 9. Defendant Wolford was and is a Florida Limited Liability Company conducting business in the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division and subject to the requirements of the FLSA. I 0. Defendant Collier Anesthesia and Defendant Wolford have interrelation of operations; centralized control of labor relations; common management; and common ownership or financial control. As such, for FLSA purposes, Defendant Collier Anesthesia and Defendant Wolford represent a single, integrated enterprise. I I. Defendant Cook was and is an individual who operated Defendant Collier Anesthesia and Defendant Wolford, and who regularly exercised the authority to: (a) hire and fire employees; (b) determine the work schedules for employees; and (c) control finances and operations. By virtue of having regularly exercised that authority on behalf of Defendant Collier Anesthesia/Defendant Wolford and over Plaintiffs, Defendant Cook is an employer as defined by 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq. I 2. Defendant Waterhouse was and is an individual who operated Defendant Collier Anesthesia and Defendant Wolford, and who regularly exercised the authority to: (a) hire and fire employees; (b) determine the work schedules for employees; and (c) control finances and operations. By virtue of having regularly exercised that authority on behalf of Defendant Collier Anesthesia/Defendant Wolford and over Plaintiffs, Defendant Waterhouse is an employer as defined by 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq. 13. At all times material, Plaintiffs were employees of Defendants pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 203(e)(l); Defendants were the employer of Plaintiffs within the meaning of 29 U.S.C. 203(a) and (d); and Defendants employed Plaintiffs within the meaning of29 U.S.C. 203(g). Page 3 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 4 of 10 PageID 4 GENERAL ALLEGATIONS 14. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated worked for Defendants at Defendant Collier Anesthesia. Defendant Collier Anesthesia employed Plaintiffs and others similarly situated as interns. As interns, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated worked for Defendants at Defendant Collier Anesthesia performing the work of nurse anesthetists. 15. Defendants provided no monetary compensation to Plaintiffs and others similarly situated for the work performed. 16. At all times pertinent, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated were/are registered nurses. 17. Nurses service the medical profession. 18. At all times pertinent, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated did not and do not have a valid license or certificate to practice medicine. 19. At all times pertinent, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated did not and do not have the requisite academic degree for the general practice of medicine. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated also did not and do not have the requisite degree to work as nurse anesthetists. 20. As interns working for Defendants, Plaintiffs were serving the medical profession. 21. Nurse anesthetists service the medical profession. 22. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated were not licensed and practicing in the field of medical science and healing, or any of the medical specialties practiced by physicians or practitioners. 23. In the course of their work, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated were directly engaged in the operations of Defendant Collier Anesthesia, and were scheduled for work based on the staffing needs of Defendant Collier Anesthesia. Page 4 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 5 of 10 PageID 5 24. In the course of their work, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated performed productive work for Defendant Collier Anesthesia. 25. In the course of their work, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated performed the routine work of Defendant Collier Anesthesia on a regular and recurring basis. 26. Defendant Collier Anesthesia is dependent upon the work of interns, like Plaintiffs and others similarly situated for its normal daily operations. 27. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated worked for Defendants for Defendants' benefit. 28. Defendants employed interns like Plaintiffs and others similarly situated as substitutes for regular workers, and/or to augment its existing workforce during specific time periods. 29. If Defendant Collier Anesthesia did not use interns like Plaintiff and others similarly situated, Defendants would need to hire additional employees to perform the work of the interns. 30. In working for Defendants, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated received the same level of supervision as Defendant Collier Anesthesia's regular workforce. 31. Defendants derived an immediate advantage from the work of Plaintiffs and others similarly situated for Collier Anesthesia. 32. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated performed duties as employees of Defendants such that they did not satisfy the requirements for any of the exemptions set forth in the FLSA. Page 5 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 6 of 10 PageID 6 33. As Plaintiffs and others similarly situated did not receive compensation for their hours worked, their manner of compensation did not, and does not, satisfy the salary basis test necessary for any exemptions of the FLSA to apply. 34. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated are not exempt from the FLSA's salary- basis test. 35. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated regularly worked over forty (40) hours in a workweek while employed by Defendants. 36. Despite working more than forty (40) hours in a workweek, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated did not receive appropriate overtime compensation under the FLSA. 37. Plaintiffs and others similarly situated also did not receive compensation for hours worked at a rate at least commensurate with the federal minimum wage. In fact, Plaintiffs and others similarly situated received no payment whatsoever for hours worked. 38. Upon information and belief, there are numerous persons similarly situated to Plaintiffs who are and were employed as interns by Defendant Collier Anesthesia who work in excess of forty ( 40) hours in a workweek without receiving compensation for hours worked. 39. Upon information and belief, the records to the extent any exist, concerning the number of hours worked and amounts to be paid to Plaintiffs and others similarly situated are in the possession and custody of Defendants. COUNT I (MINIMUM WAGE- PLAINTIFFS) 40. Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves, hereby incorporate by reference the allegations contained within paragraphs I through 39 above. 41. Plaintiff Schumann worked as an intern for Defendants from approximately February 2011 through May 2012. Page 6 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 7 of 10 PageID 7 42. Plaintiff Abraham worked as an intern for Defendants from approximately October 20 II through January 2012. 43. Defendants' failure to compensate Plaintiffs at a rate at least commensurate with the federal minimum wage constitutes a violation of the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 206. 44. Defendants' violations of the FLSA were knowing and willful. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests that this Court: a. accept jurisdiction over this action; b. award damages for the amount required to provide Plaintiffs minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime compensation for all overtime hours worked; c. award liquidated damages, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 215(b), in an amount equal to the overtime compensation owed to Plaintiffs; d. award post-judgment interest, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 29 u.s.c. 216(b); e. authorize the issuance of notice at the earliest possible time to all employees similarly situated to Plaintiffs who were employed by Defendants during the Liability Period; and f. award all other relief as the Court deems just and proper. COUNT II (OVERTIME- PLAINTIFFS) 45. Plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves, hereby incorporate by reference the allegations contained within paragraphs I through 39 above. 46. Plaintiff Schumann worked as an intern for Defendants from approximately February 20 II through May 2012. Page 7 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 8 of 10 PageID 8 4 7. Plaintiff Abraham worked as an intern for Defendants from approximately October 2011 through January 2012. 48. Defendants' failure to provide Plaintiffs overtime compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half ( 1 and 1/2) times the regular rate for hours worked over forty ( 40) in a workweek constitutes a violation of the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 207. 49. Defendants' violations of the FLSA were knowing and willful. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests that this Court: a. accept jurisdiction over this action; b. award damages for the amount of unpaid overtime compensation owed to Plaintiffs; c. award liquidated damages, pursuant to 29 U .S.C. 215(b ), in an amount equal to the overtime compensation owed to Plaintiffs; d. award post-judgment interest, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 29 u.s.c. 216(b); e. authorize the issuance of notice at the earliest possible time to all employees similarly situated to Plaintiffs who were employed by Defendants during the Liability Period; and f. award all other relief as the Court deems just and proper. COUNT III (MINIMUM WAGE- OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED TO PLAINTIFFS) 50. Plaintiffs, on behalf others similarly situated, hereby incorporate by reference all allegations contained in paragraphs I through 39 above as if fully restated herein. Page 8 of10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 9 of 10 PageID 9 51. Defendants' failure to compensate employees similarly situated to Plaintiffs commensurate with the federal minimum wage constitutes a violation of the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 206. 52. Defendants' violations of the FLSA were knowing and willful. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, respectfully request on behalf of others similarly situated to Plaintiffs that this Court: a. accept jurisdiction over this action; b. award damages for the amount required to provide them minimum wage for all hours worked and overtime compensation for all overtime hours worked; c. award liquidated damages, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 216(b), in an amount equal to the overtime compensation owed to them; d. award post-judgment interest, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 216(b); and e. award all other relief as the Court deems just and proper. COUNT IV (OVERTIME- OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED TO PLAINTIFFS) 53. Plaintiffs, on behalf others similarly situated, hereby incorporate by reference all allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 39 above as if fully restated herein. 54. Defendants' failure to provide to employees similarly situated to Plaintiffs overtime compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half(l and 1/2) times their regular rate for hours worked over forty (40) in a workweek constitutes a violation of the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 207. 55. Defendants' violations of the FLSA were knowing and willful. Page 9 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 10 of 10 PageID 10 .. WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs, respectfully request on behalf of others similarly situated to Plaintiffs that this Court: a. accept jurisdiction over this action; b. award damages for the amount of unpaid overtime compensation owed to them; c. award liquidated damages, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 216(b), in an amount equal to the overtime compensation owed to them; d. award post-judgment interest, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 216(b); and e. award all other relief as the Court deems just and proper. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Plaintiffs do hereby demand a Jury Trial on all issues and claims so triable. Bradley P. Rothman, Esq. Florida Bar No. 0677345 WELDON & ROTHMAN, PL 7935 Airport-Pulling Road N., Suite 205 Naples, Florida 341 09 Tel: (239) 262-2141 Fax: (239) 262-2342 Email: brothman@weldonrothman.com Counsel for Plaintiffs Page 10 of 10 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 1-1 Filed 06/29/12 Page 1 of 1 PageID 11 CIVIL COVER SHEET The JS 44 civil CO\'Crsheet and the infornution contained herein neither replace nor supplemmtthe filing and service of pleadngs or other papers as required by Jaw, except as pDvided by local rules of coun. This form. approved by the Judicial Conference ofthe United States inSeptember 1974, is required for tne use of the Clerk of O:>un for the purpose of mitiating the CIVIl docket sheet !SEE I.V:.TRUL 7IO.VS ON NE.\T I'AC iE 01-" TillS FOR.\() I. (a) PLAINTIFFS Billy Schumann and Dustin Abraham, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated (b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff tli.'iC 'f.PT IN/ IS. I'!JUWI/-"1-" c 'ASESJ DEFENDANTS Collier Anesthesia, PA, Wolford College, LLC, Thomas L. Cook, and Lynda M. Waterhouse County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Co""lwli..,e._r ____ _ NOTE: (IN /!.S. I'UIN71FF CAS/o:'i ONI.)J IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES. USE TilE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED. (c) Wm11 Namr. and l<&p/l!Jn Numherl Bradley P. Kbthman, Esq., vveldon & Rothman, PL. 7935 Airport-Pulling Attorneys (/f Kn""'"l Road, Ste. 205, Naples, FL 34109, (239) 262-2141 II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION !l'lacru" ".\'" mon,.HcuOnM Ill. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES(I'Ic=an "X" mo,..&afi,Piamtlffi :J 1 liS l'laintiff LJ 2 F.S. GO\cmmcnt Defendant :J 110 Insurance u 120 Morine 0 130 Miller Act :J 140 Negotiable Instrument 0 Rc:coety ofO.ctpa)mmt & Enforcement of 0 151 Medic:lt'e Acr a IS2 RctO\'el)' of Defaulted Student Loans (E\cl \'eter.ltls IJ 153 Rc:co'el)' ofOcrpa)ment of Veteran's Benefits :J 160 Stockholders' Suits :J 190 Other C ontnu:t :J 195 Contr.ICt Product l.iability 0 196 Franchise 0 220 Foreclosure 0 230 Rent lease & EJcttment 0 UO Tons to Land LJ 245 Tort Product Liobility 0 290 All Other Real Property Cl( 3 Federal Question (l f.S. (im,r:rnmc!nl Not a LJ 4 Di,cnity (lmltmte ( 'm:emhtp cif l'artte. i11llem 11/J PERSO!'iAL INJlJR\' 31 0 Airplane 31 S Airplane Praduct Liability 320 Assault. Libel & Slander CJ 330 Federal Employers' Liability LJ 340 !l.lorinc CJ 345 Morine Prodtu:t l.iabilit)' rJ 350 Motor Vehicle CJ 3SS !1.1otor Vehicle Product l.iallility 360 Other l'ersonal lnjlll)' 362 PersonallnjUI)'- 441 Voting 442 Employment 443 Housing! Actonmtodatians 445 Amcr. wfOisabilitics Employment 446 Amer. wiDisabilities Other 448 Education PERSOSAL INJlJR\' ("') 365 PersonallnjUI)' Praduct Liability 0 367 llealth Carel Pharmateutital PersonallnJUI)' l'roducr liability CJ 368 Asbestos Personal lnjUI)' Praduct l.iability PERSONAL PROPF.RT\' CJ 370 Other Fraud LJ 371 Truth in !.ending LJ 380 Other Pcrwnal l'ropcny DIUlUige ("') 38S l'ropcny Damage Produ.:t Liability Sentence JlabNS Corpus: CJ 530 General a S3S Death Penalty CJ 540 Mandamus & Other CJ 550 Civil Rights CJ SSS Prison Condition 0 560 Ciil Dclaincc - Conditions of Confinement (Far DnW'!IIIJ' ('a ...... Only) and on .. lhu for lkfindantl I'TF DEF PTF DEF Citiun of This State CJ I CJ I Incorporated or Principal Place 0 4 CJ 4 of Bwincss In This Stale Cittzcn of Another State 625Drutr Related Seizure ofPropcny 21 USC 881 690 Other 710 Fair Labor Standards Act CJ 720 Labor/MI!Illl. Relations CJ 7 40 Railway Labor Acr CJ 7SI Family and Medical Le.-e Act CJ 790 Other l.abor l.itil!alion CJ 791 Empl. Ret. Inc. Scturity Act CJ 463 Habeas CoiJlus Alien Detruncc t Prisoner Petition) CJ 465 Other lnuniJ!mtion Actions CJ 2 CJ 2 lncorponued o111i Principal Place CJ s CJ 5 of Business In Another State CJ 3 CJ 3 Fon:ign N01ion CJ 422 Appeal28 USC ISS 0 423 Withdmwal 28 usc 157 0606 CJ 375 False Claims Act LJ 400 State RcapponioMtent LJ 410 Antitrust
o 43o o.ru.s and oant..ins
CJ 450 Cornrncn:e CJ 460 Dcpon01ion 0 861111A(I39Sfl) CJ 862 Black Lung (923 CJ 863 DIWCfOIWW (40S(g!l CJ 864 SSID Tide XVI CJ 86S RSI (40S(gll (U.S. or Defendant) CJ 871 IRS-Third Pllrty 26 usc 7609 CJ 470 Racketeer Influenced and Conupt Organimtions LJ 480 Consumer Credit CJ 490 Cable/Sat TV CJ 8SO Sc:cmitiesiCommaditics/ Exchange CJ 890 Other Statutory Acrions CJ 891 Agricultural Acts CJ 893 Enviroruncntall\.latters CJ 89S Fn:edom of Information Act CJ 896 Arbiuution CJ 899 Administralie Procedure ActiRe\iew or Appeal of Agency Dcci sion CJ 9SO Constitutionality of State Statutes . ...,,. -.; V. ORIGIN Onginal Proceeding 11'10('(' 011 ".\'" "'Ondlcu OnM . Transferred from CJ 2 Removed from CJ 3 Remanded from CJ 4 Retnstated or CJ 5 another district CJ 6 Litigatioa, --. State Coun Appellate Court Reopened .,., . Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (f)anotdtejurisdkdonalniiiMiesunlnsJhwsii)J ; .. VI. CAUSE OF ACTION Brief description of cause: ;p.g:_, VII. REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT: VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY DATE FOR OFFICE USE O!'lil.\' Overtime and minimum wa e violations QIJ CJIECK IF TillS IS A Cl.ASS 1\CTION DEMANDS CIIECK YES deman in complaint UNDER F.RCP 23 JURY DEMAND: IX Yes CJ No (Stt JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER SIGN,\TUREOF AlTllC {)) RECEIPTU AMOUNT APPLYING IFI' JUDGE MAG. JUDGE THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION _______________________________
BILLY SCHUMANN, an individual and DUSTIN ABRAHAM, an individual, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED,
Plaintiffs,
v. CASE NO.: 2:12-cv-347-FtM-29SPC
COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A., a Florida corporation, WOLFORD COLLEGE, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, THOMAS L. COOK, an individual and LYNDA M. WATERHOUSE, an individual,
Defendants. _________________________________/
ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES OF COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A.
Defendant, COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A. (Collier Anesthesia), by and through its undersigned counsel and pursuant to Rule 8, Fed. R. Civ. P., files its Answer and Affirmative Defenses as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. Admitted for jurisdictional purposes only. 2. Denied. 3. Admitted for jurisdictional purposes only, and denied that Plaintiffs have any valid claim under FLSA. 4. Collier Anesthesia denies that there are any employees whatsoever who are Plaintiffs or could be a Plaintiff; Collier Anesthesia denies that Plaintiffs have standing to assert Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 1 of 8 PageID 52 2
such a claim or that a violation occurred, and denies that Plaintiffs or the alleged similarly situated individuals were employed by Collier Anesthesia. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of what these Plaintiffs plan to do, and, therefore, denies same and denies and any all remaining allegations. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. Admitted for jurisdictional purposes only. 6. Admitted for venue purposes only. PARTIES 7. Denied. 8. Admitted. 9. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this allegation, and, therefore, denies same. 10. Denied. 11. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this allegation, and, therefore, denies same. 12. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this allegation, and, therefore, denies same. 13. Denied. GENERAL ALLEGATIONS 14. Denied. 15. Denied. 16. Admitted that Plaintiffs were registered nurses during their tenure as students of Wolford College. The remainder is denied. Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 2 of 8 PageID 53 3
17. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this allegation, and, therefore, denies same. 18. Admitted that Plaintiffs did not have a license or certificate to practice medicine during their tenure as students of Wolford College. The remainder is denied. 19. Admitted that, during their tenure as students of Wolford College, Plaintiffs did not have the requisite degree for the general practice of medicine or nurse anesthetists, but were, in fact, attending Wolford College for the very purpose of obtaining a nurse anesthetist degree. The remainder is denied. 20. Denied. 21. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this allegation, and, therefore, denies same. 22. Collier Anesthesia lacks knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of this allegation, and, therefore, denies same. 23. Denied. 24. Denied. 25. Denied. 26. Denied. 27. Denied. 28. Denied. 29. Denied. 30. Denied. 31. Denied. 32. Denied. Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 3 of 8 PageID 54 4
33. Denied. 34. Denied. 35. Denied. 36. Denied. 37. Denied. 38. Denied. 39. Denied. COUNT I MINIMUM WAGE PLAINTIFFS 40. Collier Anesthesia incorporates by reference its responses to paragraph 1 through 39 above as though set forth verbatim. 41. Denied. 42. Denied. 43. Denied. 44. Denied. COUNT II OVERTIME PLAINTIFFS 45. Collier Anesthesia incorporates by reference its responses to paragraph 1 through 39 above as though set forth verbatim. 46. Denied. 47. Denied. 48. Denied. 49. Denied.
Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 4 of 8 PageID 55 5
COUNT III MINIMUM WAGE OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED TO PLAINTIFFS 50. Collier Anesthesia incorporates by reference its responses to paragraph 1 through 39 above as though set forth verbatim. 51. Denied. 52. Denied. COUNT IV OVERTIME OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED TO PLAINTIFFS 53. Collier Anesthesia incorporates by reference its responses to paragraph 1 through 39 above as though set forth verbatim. 54. Denied. 55. Denied. Defendant, COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A., denies any and all remaining allegations in the Complaint not specifically admitted and requests that this Court dismiss Plaintiffs lawsuit, enter judgment in favor of Defendant and against Plaintiffs and that Defendant recover costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and such further relief as this Court deems just and proper. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES 1. The Complaint should be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted because it fails to show that Plaintiffs were employees of Collier Anesthesia under the FLSA and also because Plaintiffs alleged that they performed the work of a nurse anesthetist without the requisite degree, which is prohibited by law. 2. Plaintiffs claim that they performed the work of nurse anesthetists despite the fact that Plaintiffs admit not having the requisite degree to work as nurse anesthetists, and; therefore, Plaintiffs claim is legally barred and estopped. Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 5 of 8 PageID 56 6
3. No employment relation has ever existed between Plaintiffs and Collier Anesthesia such that Plaintiffs lack standing to sue Collier Anesthesia and are barred from asserting any claim based upon an employment relation. Plaintiffs were students, receiving clinical training for their own educational benefit as part of the curriculum for obtaining a Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthesia from Wolford College. Plaintiffs receipt of clinical training as students of Wolford College is not subject to the FLSA and, in any event, meets the criteria developed by the Supreme Court in Walling v. Portland Terminal Co., 330 U.S. 148, 152 (1947), which the Wage and Hour Division has sought to summarize with the following six factors: (1) the internship is similar to training that would be given in a vocational school or academic educational environment; (2) the internship training is for the benefit of the intern; (3) interns do not displace Collier Anesthesias regular employees, but work under close observation of existing staff; (4) Collier Anesthesia derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the interns, and, on occasion, Collier Anesthesias operations may actually be impeded; (5) the interns are not necessarily entitled to a job with Collier Anesthesia at the conclusion of the internship; and (6) Collier Anesthesia and the interns understand that the interns are not entitled to wages for the time spent in the internship. 4. Given that Plaintiffs received clinical training from Collier Anesthesia during their tenure as students of Wolford College which training was required for certification and/or licensure to work as a nurse anesthetist, Plaintiffs received the primary benefit from their relationship with Collier Anesthesia, and; therefore, Plaintiffs were not employees of Collier Anesthesia. See Solis v. Laurelbrook Sanitarium & School, Inc., 642 F. 3d 518 (6th Cir. 2011). 5. Collier Anesthesia at all times acted in good faith and reasonably believed that no employment relationship ever existed between Collier Anesthesia and Plaintiffs; Collier Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 6 of 8 PageID 57 7
Anesthesia acted in good faith as a reasonably prudent entity would have acted under the circumstances and with a belief of reasonable compliance with FLSA and is not subject to any liability for alleged failure to pay wages. Collier Anesthesia did not intentionally or willfully violate any law or regulation and, as such, any claims beyond the two-year statute of limitations in 29 U.S.C. 255 or for liquidated or statutory damages should be dismissed. 6. Any claim not filed within the applicable period of limitations is barred. 7. Plaintiffs have filed this action against Collier Anesthesia in bad faith, with malicious intent, and for an improper purpose. 8. Plaintiffs lack standing to raise the claims which they seek to bring as a collective action and types of claims on which Plaintiffs seek to bring as a collective action are matters on which individual issues predominate and are not appropriate for collective treatment. Further, Plaintiffs claims are not similar, common, or typical, and there is no basis in law or fact for a collective action. 9. Plaintiffs Complaint should be dismissed, in whole or part, because any alleged noncompliance by Collier Anesthesia was excusable and justified and not willful or intentional; in addition, de minimis matters are subject to dismissal.
Respectfully submitted,
GRANT, FRIDKIN, PEARSON, ATHAN & CROWN, P.A.
BY: /s/ JEFFREY D. FRIDKIN Jeffrey D. Fridkin Florida Bar No. 0490245 jfridkin@gfpac.com Rachael S. Loukonen Florida Bar No. 0668435 rloukonen@gfpac.com 5551 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 501 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 7 of 8 PageID 58 8
I HEREBY certify that on August 1, 2012, I electronically filed the foregoing with the Court by using the CM/ECF system which will send a notice of electronic filing to the following: Bradley P. Rothman, Esq. brothman@weldonrothman.com WEDON & ROTHMAN, PL 7935 Airport Pulling Road N., Ste. 205 Naples, FL 34109 Telephone: (239) 262-21541 Facsimile: (239) 262-2342 Attorneys for Plaintiffs
Tammie L. Rattray, Esq. trattray@fordharrison.com FORD & HARRISON, LLP 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 900 Tampa, FL 33602 Telephone: (813) 261-7828 Facsimile: (813) 261-7899 Attorneys for Defendants, Wolford, Cook and Waterhouse
By: /s/ JEFFREY D. FRIDKIN
Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 16 Filed 08/01/12 Page 8 of 8 PageID 59 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 1 of 14 PageID 60 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 2 of 14 PageID 61 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 3 of 14 PageID 62 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 4 of 14 PageID 63 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 5 of 14 PageID 64 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 6 of 14 PageID 65 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 7 of 14 PageID 66 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 8 of 14 PageID 67 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 9 of 14 PageID 68 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 10 of 14 PageID 69 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 11 of 14 PageID 70 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 12 of 14 PageID 71 SIXTH DEFENSE Plaintiffs' claims are estopped and barred by their agreement and representation to not work as a nurse anesthetist by title or function during their educational program. SEVENTH DEFENSE Plaintiffs were expressly prohibited from working as nurse anesthetists by title and function during their educational program. EIGHTH DEFENSE Defendants acted in full compliance and conformity with and in reliance on the FLSA, and applicable laws, regulations, orders, approvals and interpretations and with the enforcement policies and acted in good faith as a reasonably prudent entity/person would have acted under the circumstances and with a belief of reasonable compliance and of no violative actions and is not subject to any liability for alleged failure to pay wages required by the FLSA. NINTH DEFENSE Defendants acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds for believing that its acts were not violative of the law and did not intentionally or willfully violate any law or regulation and any claims beyond the 2 year statute of limitations in 29 U.S.C. 255 or for liquidated or statutory damages should be dismissed. TENTH DEFENSE The Complaint should be dismissed, in whole or in part, because any alleged non- compliance by Defendants was excusable and justified and not willful or intentional; in addition, de minimis matters are subject to dismissal. ELEVENTH DEFENSE Any claim not filed within the applicable period of limitations is barred. 12 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 13 of 14 PageID 72 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 17 Filed 08/01/12 Page 14 of 14 PageID 73 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION BILLY SCHUMANN, DUSTIN ABRAHAM, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated, Plaintiffs, vs. Case No. 2:12-cv-347-FtM-29SPC COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A., a Florida corporation, WOLFORD COLLEGE, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, THOMAS L. COOK, an individual, LYNDA M. WATERHOUSE, an individual, Defendants. ___________________________________ OPINION AND ORDER This matter comes before the Court on plaintiffs Motion to Conditionally Certify Collective Action, and to Facilitate Notice, and for Limited Expedited Discovery (Doc. #28) filed on August 20, 2012. Defendants filed a Response in Opposition (Doc. #45) on October 5, 2012. On October 22, 2012, plaintiffs filed a Reply (Doc. #69). Subsequently, defendants filed a Sur-Reply (Doc. #70) on October 29, 2012. Also before the Court is Plaintiffs Motion to Toll the Statute of Limitations for All Current and Former Employees (Doc. #34), to which defendants filed a Response (Doc. #38). I. On June 29, 2012, plaintiffs Billy Schumann (Schumann) and Dustin Abraham (Abraham) filed a Complaint (Doc. #1) against Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 1 of 11 PageID 946 defendants Collier Anesthesia, P.A. (Collier), Wolford College, LLC (Wolford), Thomas L. Cook (Cook), and Lynda M. Waterhouse (Waterhouse), on their own behalf and on behalf of other similarly situated individuals for minimum wage and overtime compensation relief under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). In the Complaint, plaintiffs allege that they were employed by Collier within the meaning of 29 U.S.C. 203(g) as interns who were provided no monetary compensation; that they were registered nurses that did not have a valid license or certificate to practice medicine and did not have the requisite degree to work as nurse anesthetists; that they were scheduled to work based on the staffing needs of Collier and performed the routine work of Collier on a regular and recurring basis; that Collier is dependant on the work of interns for its normal daily operations and that Collier derived immediate advantage from their work; that defendants employed interns as substitutes for regular workers, and/or to augment its existing workforce during specific time periods; that if Collier did not use interns it would need to hire additional employees; that they received the same level of supervision as Colliers regular workforce; that they did not satisfy any of the exemptions set forth in the FLSA; and that they worked more than forty hours in a given week but were not paid time and one-half for the hours in excess of forty. (Doc. #1.) The Complaint describes the additional persons who may become plaintiffs as other current -2- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 2 of 11 PageID 947 and former interns who were employed by Collier and worked in excess of 40 hours in a given workweek without receiving compensation for hours worked. (Id.) Plaintiffs now seek conditional certification of a collective action, to facilitate notice to potential plaintiffs, to require expedited responses to discovery, and tolling the statute of limitations. II. An action to recover unpaid minimum wage compensation and unpaid overtime compensation under the FLSA may be maintained against any employer (including a public agency) in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and on behalf of himself or themselves and other employees similarly situated. 29 U.S.C. 216(b). Thus, to maintain a collective action under the FLSA, plaintiffs must demonstrate that they are similarly situated. Morgan v. Family Dollar Stores, Inc., 551 F.3d 1233, 1258 (11th Cir. 2008)(citing Anderson v. Cagle's, Inc., 488 F.3d 945, 952 (11th Cir. 2007)). The key to starting the motors of a collective action is a showing that there is a similarly situated group of employees. Morgan, 551 F.3d at 1259. Being similarly situated does not require an identical situation, but at least similar circumstances with respect to their job requirements and pay provisions. Morgan, 551 F.3d at 1259-60; Hipp v. Liberty Natl Life Ins. Co., 252 F.3d 1208, 1217 (11th Cir. 2001). The Eleventh Circuit has adopted a two-tiered approach to -3- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 3 of 11 PageID 948 certification, as described in Mooney v. Aramco Servs. Co., 54 F.3d 1207, 121314 (5th Cir. 1995): The first determination is made at the so-called notice stage. At the notice stage, the district court makes a decision-usually based only on the pleadings and any affidavits which have been submitted-whether notice of the action should be given to potential class members. Because the court has minimal evidence, this determination is made using a fairly lenient standard, and typically results in conditional certification of a representative class. If the district court conditionally certifies the class, putative class members are given notice and the opportunity to opt-in. The action proceeds as a representative action throughout discovery. The second determination is typically precipitated by a motion for decertification by the defendant usually filed after discovery is largely complete and the matter is ready for trial. . . . Hipp, 252 F.3d at 1218. Plaintiff must show that there are other employees who desire to opt-in and who are similarly situated before giving notice. Dybach v. Fla. Dept of Corr., 942 F.2d 1562, 1567 (11th Cir. 1991). As noted, at the first stage, the Court applies a fairly lenient standard, Anderson, 488 F.3d at 953, although there must be more than counsels unsupported assertions, Morgan, 551 F.3d at 1261. III. In support of their motion, plaintiffs rely on the declarations of Billy Schumann (Doc. #28-10), Dustin Abraham (Doc. -4- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 4 of 11 PageID 949 #28-11), Lahoma Nachtrab (Doc. #28-12), Celine Vidaurri (Doc. #28- 13), and Denise Arminio (Doc. #28-14). In opposition, defendants argue: (1) the declarations are cookie cutter and are insufficient to provide a reasonable basis for a collective action; (2) plaintiffs claims would require individualized inquiry; (3) plaintiffs showing of potential opt-in plaintiffs is insufficient; and (4) the proposed notice and consent form is objectionable. (Docs. ## 45, 70.) Defendants also make a number of arguments attacking the merits of the claim. (Id.) The Court will not consider these arguments at this time. See, e.g., Fantauzzi v. Agora Mktg. Solutions, Inc., No. 8:10-cv-513-T-26TGW, 2010 WL 2220246, at *2 (M.D. Fla. June 2, 2010)(district courts generally do not consider the merits on a motion for conditional certification). The Court concludes that plaintiffs have shown a reasonable basis for their claim that there are other similarly situated employees who wish to opt-in. The Court finds that the declarations are sufficiently detailed to meet the fairly lenient standard set by the Eleventh Circuit. The Court also finds that 1 plaintiffs have demonstrated that there are other similarly In support of their argument, defendants cite to Tussing v. 1 Quality Resources, Inc., No. 8:09-cv-1833-T-26AEP, 2009 WL 4350253 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 25, 2009). Tussing is inapposite. There, the plaintiffs filed six nearly identical affidavits from individuals employed in five different positions in order to include all of defendants employees in one collective action. -5- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 5 of 11 PageID 950 situated interns for purposes of issuing notice. Additionally, 2 the Court is also satisfied that there are other interns or Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists who wish to opt-in, since, to date, 14 individuals filed Consents to join as opt-in plaintiffs. (Docs. ## 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 20, 23, 27, 36, 43.) Therefore, the Court finds that certification is appropriate for notice purposes. Defendants also raise the following objections to plaintiffs proposed Notice of Right to Join and Consent to Join forms: (1) the Notice advises putative opt-ins multiple times of the contact information for plaintiffs counsel and not defendants counsel; (2) the Notice portrays the case as a free chance at gaining money; (3) the Notice does not advise putative opt-ins that certain conduct could be considered a misdemeanor or third degree felony under Florida law; and (4) the Consent Form states that the fees retained by plaintiffs attorneys will be the greater of the Lodestar amount or 40% of the gross recovery. (Docs. ## 45, 45- 16.) The Court will revise the Consent to reflect that the FLSA requires the Court to review the reasonableness of counsels legal fees and the parties cannot contract in derogation of FLSAs provisions. Silva v. Miller, 307 F. Appx 349 (11th Cir. 2009). Defendants argument that individualized inquiry is required 2 is better suited at the decertification stage when additional information is available regarding the characteristics of the opt- in plaintiffs. See, e.g., Vondriska v. Premier Mortg. Funding, Inc., 564 F. Supp. 2d 1330 (M.D. Fla. 2007). -6- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 6 of 11 PageID 951 The Court has also considered the remaining objections and concludes that no other changes are necessary. 3 IV. Plaintiffs also seek to toll the statute of limitations up to the date of the Courts ruling of Plaintiffs Opt-In Motion and, if the Opt-In Motion is granted, until Defendants provide the information necessary for Plaintiffs to send out the notice. (Doc. #34, 12.) After plaintiffs filed their motion, the Court issued a scheduling order (Doc. #35), which tolled the limitations period for any person receiving notice from the date of [the Scheduling] Order until the parties file a Case Management Order lifting the stay on these proceedings. Under Title 29, United States Code, Section 255, any cause of action for unpaid minimum wage or overtime compensation under the FLSA, (a) . . . may be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and every such action shall be forever barred unless commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, except that a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued. . . . 29 U.S.C. 255. Under Title 29, United States Code, Section 256, an action brought under the FLSA is: In order to reflect the tolling of the statute of 3 limitations, the Court has also changed during the past three (3) years to on or after August 2009" in the Who May Join the Lawsuit section. -7- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 7 of 11 PageID 952 commenced on the date when the complaint is filed; except that in the case of a collective or class action . . . it shall be considered to be commenced in the case of any individual claimant-- (a) on the date when the complaint is filed, if he is specifically named as a party plaintiff in the complaint and his written consent to become a party plaintiff is filed on such date in the court in which the action is brought; or (b) if such written consent was not so filed or if his name did not so appear--on the subsequent date on which such written consent is filed in the court in which the action was commenced. 29 U.S.C. 256. Congress expressed the concern that an opt-in plaintiff should not be able to escape the statute of limitations bearing on his cause of action by claiming that the limitations period was tolled by the filing of the original complaint. Grayson v. K-Mart Corp., 79 F.3d 1086, 1106 (11th Cir. 1996)(citing 93 Cong. Rec. 2,182 (1947)). Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances warrant an additional tolling of the statute of limitations. Therefore, to the extent plaintiffs request an additional tolling of the statute of limitations, the request will be denied. Accordingly, it is now ORDERED: 1. Plaintiffs Motion to Conditionally Certify Collective Action, and to Facilitate Notice, and for Limited Expedited -8- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 8 of 11 PageID 953 Discovery (Doc. #28) is GRANTED and a collective action is conditionally certified as follows: All current and former Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs), who are, or were, enrolled at Wolford College, LLC, and who work, or worked, for Collier Anesthesia, P.A., without compensation on or after August 2009. 2. On or before March 19, 2013, defendants shall deliver to plaintiffs counsel a list in the form of an Excel spreadsheet on CD-ROM (or comparable media) containing the full names, and addresses of the putative opt-in plaintiffs. Upon delivery of this list, defendants shall promptly file a notice of compliance with this part of the Courts Opinion and Order. 3. After plaintiffs counsel receives such information from defendants, plaintiffs counsel is authorized to give notice to the individuals in the conditionally certified collective action and shall do so within a reasonable time, but no later than April 19, 2013. The form of Notice of Right to Join and the associated form of Consent to Join for putative opt-in plaintiffs shall be substantially in the forms attached as Exhibit A and Exhibit B, respectively, to this Opinion and Order, shall be mailed via first class U.S. Mail at the sole cost and expense of plaintiffs to all individuals disclosed by defendants; shall be dated with the date of mailing; and shall allow each individual up to ninety (90) days (the Opt-In Period) from the date of mailing in which to return a Consent to Join form to plaintiffs counsel. Upon mailing the -9- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 9 of 11 PageID 954 Notice of Right to Join, plaintiffs counsel shall promptly file a notice of compliance with this part of the Courts Opinion and Order. 4. During the allowed period for response to this initial mailing, should the initial Notice of Right to Join mailed to any individual be returned as un-deliverable, the parties shall promptly cooperate and exchange such additional information in their custody or control, or in the custody or control of their agents, as may reasonably be available to identify a better address for each such individual, to assist in the search for better addresses. To the extent that it is feasible, but in no event later than the end of the allowed period for response to the initial mailing, plaintiffs counsel shall, at the sole cost and expense of plaintiffs, re-mail one time the Notice of Right to Join to each such individual. For each re-mailed Notice of Right to Join, it shall be in the form set forth above; shall be re-dated with the date of re-mailing, and shall give the individual up to the same deadline allowed for response to the initial mailing to return a Consent to Join and no additional time. 5. Each Consent to Join returned to plaintiffs counsel shall be deemed timely if post-marked, or delivered to a commercial carrier who provides a receipt, within the allowed period. 6. Individuals who timely opt into this collective action pursuant to this Courts supervised notice procedure shall be -10- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 10 of 11 PageID 955 deemed joined as opt-in plaintiffs for all purposes under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and under the orders of this Court through trial and appeal, if any, subject to any motion for decertification or representative discovery, and may be represented at any settlement, mediation or trial by the named plaintiffs at the time, pending further orders of the Court. 7. Plaintiffs Motion to Toll the Statute of Limitations for All Current and Former Employees (Doc. #34) is DENIED. 8. In light of the deadlines above, the parties shall submit an Amended Case Management Report within FOURTEEN (14) DAYS of this Opinion and Order suggesting new deadlines. DONE AND ORDERED at Fort Myers, Florida, this 21st day of February, 2013. Copies: Counsel of record -11- Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-SPC Document 91 Filed 02/21/13 Page 11 of 11 PageID 956 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-UAM Document 69-1 Filed 10/22/12 Page 1 of 13 PageID 685 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION BILLY SCHUMANN, and DUSTIN ABRAHAM, ON BEHALF OF THEMSELVES AND OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, Plaintiffs, vs. COLLIER ANESTHESIA, P.A., a Florida corporation, WOLFORD COLLEGE, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, THOMAS L. COOK, an individual, and LYNDA M. WATERHOUSE, an individual, Defendants. ~ / CASE NO.: 2:12-cv-347-FtM-29SPC COLLECTIVE ACTION AFFIDAVIT OF LESLIE HUSSEY, PhD. RN Before me the undersigned authority, personally appeared Leslie Hussey, PhD, RN who being duly sworn, deposes and states as follows: I. My name is Leslie Hussey, and I am over the age of 18 years and otherwise competent to testify as to the matters herein. 2. The facts in this Affidavit are based upon my personal knowledge. 3. I was employed by Wolford College, LLC ("Wolford") from June 30, 2003 through August 31, 2012 during which time my job title was Director of Academic Education, Director of Program Development, and Associate Director of Doctoral Education, respectively. My CV is attached as Exhibit "1," and incorporated herein. 4. As faculty at Wolford, I assisted in the design of Wolford's curriculum for nurse anesthesia students and I have knowledge of how the curriculum is supposed to be implemented. Page I of3 Exhibit A Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-UAM Document 69-1 Filed 10/22/12 Page 2 of 13 PageID 686 5. With respect to the clinical portion of Wolford's curriculum, the intent of the program is to have students obtain their clinical experience during their last four semesters in the program. 6. During the first three (3) semesters of clinical experience, the intent is for students to have forty (40) hours of clinical experience based on five (5) graduate credits per semester at a ratio of eight (8) clinical hours to one (I) hour of graduate credit. In other words, during the first three (3) semesters of clinical experience, the students are supposed to receive five (5) credits per semester for forty (40) hours of clinical work for each week of the semester. 7. During the last clinical course/semester, the intent is for students to have thirty- two (32) hours of clinical experience based on four (4) graduate credits per semester at a ratio of eight (8) clinical hours to one (I) hour of graduate credit. In other words, during the last clinical course/semester the students are supposed to receive four (4) credits per semester for thirty-two (32) hours of clinical work for each week of the semester. This is because during this semester there is an additional didactic (non-clinical) three (3) credit hour course which students are required to take. 8. Despite Wolford's curriculum, during the students' final semester of clinical experience, Wolford did not honor the above ratio in the clinical assignments. 9. On multiple occasions, I discussed with Dr. John Nolan, the Dean of Wolford and a Collier Anesthesia physician, the design of Wolford's curriculum and that students were only supposed to have thirty-two (32) hours of clinical experience per week during their final semester. His response to me was always that the students needed to be at ''work" because they were seniors and because the students were needed in the clinical area. I 0. Further, I participated in the exit interviews with all graduating classes from Wolford from 2007 through the class of 2011B (which graduated in February 2012). Each year Page2 of3 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-UAM Document 69-1 Filed 10/22/12 Page 3 of 13 PageID 687 multiple students would come to me to state that they were verbally abused by certain physicians at Collier Anesthesia, and at times experienced inappropriate physical contact from the certain physicians at Collier Anesthesia. I would report what I heard to Wolford's program director, Dr. Lauren Corder. I do not know what she did with the information. I do know that verbal abuse and inappropriate physical contact in any setting is not part of any acceptable academic curriculum that I am aware of. AFFIANT FURTHER SA YETII NAUGHT. STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF COLLIER ) ) SS: ) The foregoing instrument was sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th da y of October 2012, by Leslie Hussey who is personally known to me and who did take an oath. NOTARY SEAL: Page 3 of3 Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-UAM Document 69-3 Filed 10/22/12 Page 1 of 1 PageID 699 From: Date: Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 7:49PM To: kortega@wolford.edu, lcorder@wolford.edu I have: been on my heart rotation for several weeks now. I stayed late today because I was the call persou. I have been putting in long hours, plus call shifts for the heart rotation, at the main. I was call for so at 3 I was not able to complete my heart case. Schumann 775 Exhibit C Case 2:12-cv-00347-JES-UAM Document 69-2 Filed 10/22/12 Page 1 of 1 PageID 698 Meeting with May 3, 2.012@ Wolford College: Conference Room with John MD & Brian Mears, CRNA,ARNP Issues: e Ms. was assigned a library day for hrs. She signed out at 1430, but wrote 1500 in the sign-out block. Discussion: Dr. Nolan; when you write something down make sure it is accurate. Think as though you are always being watched. I am trying to give you friendly advice. Signing out early shows a lack of professionalism and honesty. You must communicate with your future employer. In the real world you need to accurately communicate. Your word is your bond. Also, you are getting ready to graduate and I understand you said call in a shifts to travel out of town. J recomme and do not call in. in on the last shi allowing week. Ms. :I didn't re!alize leaving early was a big deal. Regarding calling in, I wanted off for anc,ther interview. The scheduler said that probably will not happen since I have been off twice for two interviews. Dr. Nolan: Always tell the truth. Recommendations: Tell the truth all the time. Do not call in the last shift Outcome: Ms acknowledged and agreed with the recommendations Exhibit