UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION

Sanctions

I stand at the crossroads of a long and arduous battle—not only for myself but for all who face injustice in silence. This is not simply a case about wrongful termination or denied accommodations; it is a fight for dignity, for the sacred right to be heard, and for the enforcement of laws designed to protect the vulnerable.

From the moment I sought reasonable accommodations for a serious medical condition, I was met with a wall of silence, delays, and outright retaliation. Cox Communications, armed with corporate indifference and empty denials, attempted to write my story for me—one of voluntary resignation and failure. But the truth, etched in emails, payroll records, and the clear judgment of the Virginia Employment Commission, tells a different tale: one of perseverance, necessity, and undeniable wrongdoing.

This journey has been difficult—nearly impossible—navigating systems built for the privileged, wrestling with arcane legal and technical frameworks, and confronting powerful forces with limited resources. Yet, my resolve has never wavered. I bring not only my voice but my knowledge as a systems architect and AI engineer, applying every tool at my disposal to shine light on these abuses.

I do this not merely for myself but for every person who faces similar battles—those without the expertise or means to challenge entrenched power. This document is a call to action: a demand for thorough investigation, immediate relief, and meaningful sanctions to uphold justice and protect the rights of all employees who deserve better.

The evidence is clear. The stakes are high. And my commitment is unwavering.

Executive Summary

This submission presents a comprehensive and meticulously documented record of ongoing and egregious violations of federal employment law by Cox Communications, Inc. against Thomas D. Coates. The case arises from a series of retaliatory actions, procedural failures, and misrepresentations that began immediately after Mr. Coates exercised his statutory rights to request reasonable accommodations for a serious medical condition. Despite repeated efforts to resolve these issues internally and through agency processes, Cox Communications has engaged in a pattern of delay, denial, and bad faith, culminating in the wrongful termination of Mr. Coates and the obstruction of his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and related statutes.

The evidence submitted here includes a decisive ruling from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) in Mr. Coates’s favor, extensive contemporaneous email and payroll records, and multiple internal and agency communications. These materials collectively establish that Cox’s core assertions are demonstrably false and that the harm suffered by Mr. Coates is both substantial and ongoing. The record further shows that the EEOC’s investigation to date has relied on unsigned and unsubstantiated employer statements, failed to coordinate with parallel agency proceedings, and has not meaningfully addressed the procedural and substantive violations at issue.

This document therefore requests, in the strongest possible terms, an expanded and coordinated investigation, immediate corrective relief, and the imposition of sanctions as authorized by law. The stakes in this matter extend beyond the individual case, implicating the integrity of federal enforcement and the rights of all employees who seek protection from discrimination and retaliation.

Table of Contents

  1. Declaration and Formal Request for Expanded Investigation, Relief, and Sanctions
  2. Executive Summary
  3. Headlined Facts Demonstrating Urgency and Jurisdiction
  4. Procedural History
  5. Statement of Facts
  6. Legal Standards and Violations
    • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
    • FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)
    • Retaliation and Pretext
    • HIPAA and Confidentiality
    • FLSA and Payroll Irregularities
    • Other Statutory Violations
  7. Evidence and Exhibits
    • Exhibit Index Table
    • Personnel File and Performance Reviews
    • Medical Documentation
    • Email and Correspondence Log
    • Payroll and Benefits Records
    • Witness Statements
    • Internal Complaints and Ethics Reports
    • Agency Correspondence
    • Policy Manuals and Handbooks
    • Timeline of Events
    • Advocacy and Social Impact Materials
  8. Relief and Sanctions Requested
  9. Cross-Agency Notification and Public Interest Statement
  10. Certification and Signature
  11. Attachments
  12. Appendices
    • Glossary of Terms
    • Legal Citations and Authorities
    • Additional Supporting Materials
    • Media References (if any)

Headlined Facts Demonstrating Urgency and Jurisdiction