Responding to Godinez’s Elaboration

Hector Godinez’s letter of elaboration (“Postmaster Elaborates on Bias Ruling,” March 1) confuses rather than clarifies Ms. (Rachael) Santos’ court case before Judge (Terry J.) Hatter.

As Ms. Santos’ attorney during the administrative process of her two EEO complaints before the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), I would point out that Ms. Santos filed (1) on her removal from her temporary assignment as women’s coordinator and (2) on not being selected for the position when it was to be filled permanently. The EEOC found Mr. Godinez discriminated against Ms. Santos on both counts; Judge Hatter found Mr. Godinez discriminated on the first count only.

Mr. Godinez gave shifting and conflicting reasons for Ms. Santos’ removal from the temporary assignment. First, she was performing unsatisfactorily, and then, the original woman in the position was coming back (although she never did).

Ms. Santos secured Ms. Gloria Steinem to speak to a women’s conference and this resulted in great concern to postal officials. The fact that Ms. Steinem was never paid by the post office for her speaking engagement speaks volumes.

Mr. Godinez implies Ms. Santos was trying to keep post office monies and documents for her own benefit. This is not true. Ms. Santos was ready, willing and able to return everything to the post office providing they gave her a receipt that they received same. Only after Ms. Santos secured representation was the post office willing to give her a receipt.

The EEOC administrative judge who heard the case initially, and finally the Honorable U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter, found Mr. Godinez and the U.S. Postal Service guilty of discrimination.

BRUCE M. STARK, Seal Beach