Richter v. Minnesota Department of Revenue
Opinion
[UNPUBLISHED]
John D. Richter appeals the district court’s 1 adverse grant of summary judgment in his employment-discrimination action against the Minnesota Department of Revenue (MDOR) and an MDOR deputy commissioner. Having carefully reviewed the record and considered Richter’s arguments, we agree with the district court that Richter failed to create any trialworthy issues as to whether he had a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). See 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2) (defining disability); Sallis v. Univ. of Minn., 408 F.3d 470, 474 (8th Cir. 2005) (standard of review); Wood v. Crown Redi-Mix, Inc., 339 F.3d 682, 684 (8th Cir. 2003) (prima facie case under ADA). The only potential major life activity about which the record contained any evidence was working, and according to Richter’s treating psychologist, Richter’s mental problems might have caused problems only if he returned to the job he then held, but otherwise he could have worked. See Toyota Motor Mfg., Ky., Inc. v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184, 200, 122 S.Ct. 681, 151 L.Ed.2d 615 (2002) (even assuming *241 working is major life activity, claimant would be required to show inability to work in broad class of jobs). Richter could not avoid the properly supported summary judgment motion merely by arguing that he could produce evidence at trial. See Sallis, 408 F.3d at 474 (Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(c) requires entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against party who fails to make showing sufficient to establish existence of element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear burden of proof at trial).
Richter’s remaining arguments provide no basis for reversal. Accordingly, we affirm. See 8th Cir. R. 47B.
. The Honorable Paul A. Magnuson, United States District Judge for the District of Minnesota.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John D. RICHTER, Appellant, v. MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; Dennis J. Erno, Deputy Commissioner, Appellees
- Status
- Unpublished