MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Before the Court are cross motions for summary judgment. [Record Nos. 38, 40]. The defendants have filed supplemental memoranda in support of their motion for summary judgment [Record Nos. 68 & 70]. The plaintiff has responded [Record Nos. 72 & 73], This matter is now ripe for consideration. Having reviewed the record and the memoranda submitted by the parties, the Court makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law.
FINDINGS OF FACT
At the time of the incidents giving rise to this action, Mark Barger (Barger) was serving as Perry County Attorney. 1 Alecia Loco-co (Lococo) was hired by Barger as Perry County Assistant Attorney. Her term of employment lasted from February 1994 to September 1994.
Lococo asserts that she was wrongfully discharged on September 9,1994. Specifically, she alleges that Barger had indicated that she was doing a good job, and that the only reason that he was firing her was because she was a woman. [Lococo deposition, p. 17]. Lococo surreptitiously recorded the conversation with Barger and cites certain statements therein as direct evidence of discriminatory animus.
The defendants counter that Lococo was not discharged because she was a woman, but because she was having an affair with Denny Fugate while she was married to Harry Watts. [Barger deposition, p. 10]. In addition, they allege that Watts broke into the home of Fugate and put a gun to his head. [Barger deposition, p. 8]. Furthermore, as a result of the affair, they allege that Lococo gave birth to a child. The defendants claim this conduct compelled Barger to fire Lococo. In essence, they assert that Lococo’s lifestyle was having a negative impact on the office and that Barger’s wife was concerned about Lococo’s reputation in the community. [Barger deposition, pp. 8 & 10],
After filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and receiving a right to sue letter, Lococo filed this action. She asserts claims under the following; (1) Title VII, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.; (2) Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment by way of 42 U.S.C. § 1983; (3) Kentucky Civil Rights Act, KRS 344.010 et seq.; (4) common law tort of outrageous conduct.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A. Personal Staff Exception to Title VII
The defendants primary argument with respect to the claim under Title VII is that Lococo does not fall within the statutory definition of “employee” as set forth in the act and that, therefore, she is not entitled to the protections so afforded. Lococo fails to respond to this argument.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the definition of “employee” is as follows;
The term “employee” means an individual employed by an employer, except that the term “employee” shall not include any person elected to public office in any State or political subdivision of any State by the qualified voters thereof, or any person chosen by such officer to be on such officer’s personal staff, or an appointee on the policy making level or an immediate adviser with respect to the exercise of the constitutional or legal powers of the office. The exemptions set forth in the preceding sentence shall not include employees subject to the civil service laws of a State government, governmental agency or political subdivision. With respect to employment in a foreign country, such term in- *293 eludes an individual who is a citizen of the United States.
42 U.S.C. § 2000e(f) (emphasis added). Lo-coco is not subject to the civil service laws of Kentucky, see KRS 15.770(4), and the office of county attorney is an elected position. Thus, whether Lococo falls under the personal staff exception turns on the definition of “personal staff.”
Title VII does not define personal staff. However, the Fifth Circuit, when faced with this same issue, put forth six factors “which Courts have found significant in determining whether a complainant falls within the ‘personal staff exception to Title VII’s definition of employee.”
2
Teneyuca v. Bexar County,
(1) [Wjhether the elected official has plenary powers of appointment and removal,
(2) whether the person in the position at issue is personally accountable to only that elected official, (3) whether the person in the position at issue represents the elected official in the eyes of the public, (4) whether the elected official exercises a considerable amount of control over the position, (5) the level of the position within the organization’s chain of command, and (6) the actual intimacy of the working relationship between the elected official and the person filling the position.
Id.
Having reviewed each of the
Teneyuca
factors, the Court is persuaded that the personal staff exception removes Lococo, as an assistant county attorney, from the definition of employee. First, since by statute, the county attorney appoints and removes assistants, the county attorney has plenary power of appointment and removal.
See
KRS 15.770(1). Second, it appears that an assistant county attorney is accountable only to the county attorney. Third, it is clear that an assistant county attorney would generally represent the county attorney in the eyes of the public. Fourth, the assistant county attorney is under the direction and control of the county attorney pursuant to KRS 69.300. Fifth, an assistant county attorney is just below the county attorney in the chain of command. And finally, the county attorney and an assistant county attorney have a close working relationship. Thus, having determined that Lococo falls within the personal staff exemption to the definition of employee, the Title VII claim must be dismissed.
See Ramirez v. San Mateo County Dist. Attorney’s Office,
B. Kentucky Civil Rights Act
1. No Personal Staff Exception Within KRS Chapter Skk
Like Title VII, the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, KRS Chapter 344, proscribes certain unlawful employment practices. In fact, the general purpose of the Kentucky act is to provide a means for implementing within the state the policies embodied in the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, as well as other related federal statutes. KRS 344.020(1). It is, therefore, common practice to look to the federal counterpart in construing KRS 344.
See Palmer v. International Ass’n of Machinists,
KRS Chapter 344, however, is not the mirror image of Title VII in every respect. The policy statements of the Kentucky act go further than the federal counterpart. The Kentucky act, for example, was implemented to “ ‘protect ... personal dignity and freedom from humiliation.’”
Meyers v. Chapman Printing Co., Inc.,
*294 The definition of employee under the Kentucky act presents another example in which the acts are dissimilar. It simply states:
“Employee” means an individual employed by an employer, but does not include an individual employed by his parents, spouse, or child, or an individual employed to render services as a domestic in the home of the employer.
KRS 344.030(5). Clearly, the Kentucky definition of employee does not contain the personal staff exception set forth in the federal counterpart. Had the General Assembly intended to include such an exemption, it, presumably, would have done so explicitly. Consequently, the Court declines to borrow the exception from federal law and impose it within the statutory scheme of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act.
2. Perry County Is An Employer Under KRS Chapter 844
Perry County and the Perry County officials argue that they should be dismissed from this action because they do not fit within the definition of “employer” under KRS 344.030. KRS 344.030(2) defines “employer” as “a person who has eight (8) or more employees within the state in each of twenty (20) or more calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year and an agent of such person____” “Person” is defined as “one (1) or more individuals, labor organizations, ... or other legal or commercial entity; the state, any of its political or civil subdivisions or agencies.” KRS 344.010(1). Thus, Perry County and its officials, as political subdivisions of the state, are not immune from suit under KRS Chapter 344 and are considered an employer if they employ eight (8) or more persons, one of which is the plaintiff.
Perry County and the Perry County officials contend that Lococo is a state employee, not a county employee, and therefore they are not her employer. No Kentucky case law exists on whether a county attorney and his or her assistants are state or county employees; however, several attorney general opinions address such issue.
It appears that a county attorney is a hybrid position, working for and being paid partly by the state and working for and being paid partly by the county. See 89 Op. Att’y Gen. 21 (1989). However, each attorney general who has addressed this issue, has determined that although the county attorney functions in a dual role, the county attorney and his or her assistants are constitutionally county officers. See 91 Op. Att’y Gen. 218 (1991) (“To summarize, assistant county attorneys are county employees when hired by an elected county attorney to work for the county____”); KRS 69.210 (describing the duties of a county attorney for the county); see also 92 Op. Att’y Gen. 162 (1992) (“In our opinion, ... the county attorney does not lose his status as a county officer simply by taking on prosecutorial and other duties involving the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.”); 80 Op. Att’y Gen. 341 (“The county attorney is a county constitutional officer---- [and] the assistant county attorney is a statutory county officer.... ”). Thus, as a county officer, Lococo is an employee of Perry County.
The defendants counter that they cannot be Lococo’s employer because they did not hire her or fire her and they have no contract of hire with her. While it is true that Lococo was only hired by Barger, and Perry County and its official did not have any say in the hiring, Barger is still an employee of the county. Thus, even if the County is not considered Lococo’s direct employer, Barger would be considered an agent of the county and the county would be considered an employer under KRS 344.030(2).
3. Defendant Barger Is Not Individually Liable Under KRS Chapter 344
Lococo has sued Barger in both his official and individual capacities. Barger argues that under KRS Chapter 344 he cannot be held hable individually for his alleged discriminatory conduct. Lococo contends that he can, due to the term “agent” within the definition of employer.
As noted above, under KRS 344.030(2)’s definition of employer, the term “agent” is used. Similarly, Title VII, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e
et seq.,
and its close counterpart, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 621
et seq.,
use the
*295
term “agent” in defining employer.
3
Since Kentucky Courts have not directly addressed the meaning of “agent”, the Court must once again look to federal law under Title VII to determine whether a supervisor may be held liable in his or her individual capacity under KRS Chapter 344.
See Palmer,
Unfortunately, the Sixth Circuit has not directly addressed this issue. In dicta, the Sixth Circuit noted in
Jones v. Continental Corp.,
The Lowry decision reflects the current trend in the law, wherein a majority of circuits have found no individual liability under Title VII or the ADEA. 4 The Courts have determined that the term “agent” under Title VII’s definition of> employer refers to the respondeat superior liability of the employer, and not individual liability of the alleged discriminator.
We have recently addressed this very issue of individual liability under Title VII. In Williams v. Banning, we held that a supervisor, in his individual capacity, does not fall within Title VII’s definition of employer.72 F.3d 552 , 553 (7th Cir.1995). We reasoned that the term “employer” is a statutory expression of traditional respondeat superior liability. Limits on damages which correspond to the size of the employer reinforce our reading of the statutory scheme. Id. Our ruling is seconded by a similar interpretation of “employer” under the Americans with Disabilities Act. See EEOC v. AIC Security Investigations, Ltd,55 F.3d 1276 , 1279-82 (7th Cir.1995). We apply consistent principles in the instant case. Roberts, sued in his individual capacity, is merely a supervisor and therefore operates without risk of Title VII personal liability.
Geier v. Medtronic, Inc.,
Since the Sixth Circuit has failed to directly rule on this issue, and since apparently all circuits, which have addressed this issue recently, have found no individual liability, this Court will follow the trend in construing what the Kentucky courts would decide as to this issue. Thus, based on Chapter 344’s similarity to Title VII, this Court holds that as Lococo’s supervisor, Barger cannot be held individually liable for the alleged discriminatory discharge of Lococo. Accordingly, Lococo shall proceed on her claim under KRS 344.040(1) against Barger in his official capacity, and against Perry County and the Perry County officials in their official capacity.
C. Lococo’s Claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983
1. Lococo May Bring Both a Title VII claim and a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 Claim
The defendants argue that because Lococo’s claim is founded on Title VII, she
*296
may not bring an action based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
See Day v. Wayne County Bd. of Auditors,
In the case at hand, Lococo claims that she has been discriminated against based on her sex in violation of her equal protection rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. Thus, she has stated a “distinct violation of a constitutional right”, and she may bring her claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
See Gierlinger v. New York State Police,
2. Perry County May Be Held Liable Under 42 U.S.C. § 1988
A municipality or a local government may be held liable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 when a plaintiff can show that the right violated stemmed from a custom or policy prescribed by that body politic.
See Monell v. Department of Social Servs.,
Since the county attorney has the final authority in the office of the county attorney, especially on whether to hire or fire an assistant county attorney, Barger would be an authorized decision maker for the county in the area of the county attorney’s office. See KRS 15.770(1) & 69.300. Thus, because Barger is an authorized decision maker, Perry County and its officials may be held hable for Barger’s decision to fire Lococo.
3. Factual Issues Exist Which Would Preclude Summary Judgment
Both parties argue that summary judgment on the 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim is warranted based on the evidence. Although it is true that this is an unusual case in which the plaintiff can cite to direct evidence of discriminatory intent, the defendants have set forth a legitimate nondiscriminatory explanation for the action taken.
In addition, there is an unusual wrinkle evident in the transcript itself, whereby Barger tells Lococo that he has to fire her because of his wife’s jealousy and then says, in essence, it is because she is a woman. He, in fact, tells her to take legal action, and get a court ordered reinstatement which would appease, or at least placate, Barger’s wife since he would have no control over the court *297 ordered reinstatement. Thus, Locoeo’s direct evidence that she was fired because she was a woman is not solid. Whether Lococo was fired because she was a woman or only because Barger’s wife was jealous and things were being said in the community is for the jury to decide; what is the true reason for her discharge — was it related to Locoeo’s gender or was it for purely personal reasons?
Furthermore, Loeoco’s claim of discrimination due to her gender is weakened by the same actor inference, which has been applied in gender discrimination eases under Title VII and would apply here.
Buhrmaster v. Overnite Transp. Co.,
In sum, then, it appears that the state of the record does not entitle either the defendants or Lococo to summary judgment. The questions here are best tried to a jury.
D. Qualified Immunity
In his supplemental memorandum in support of summary judgment, Barger argues that he is qualifiedly immune. He contends that the law in this area was not clear because technically he thought Lococo was employed “at-will” and thus could be fired for any reason. This argument is without merit.
It is clear that Barger knew that firing Lococo because she was a woman would be discriminatory conduct. He clearly states to her in the taped conversation that “she has a hell of a claim” and that she should take this matter to the EEOC immediately. Based on Barger’s own words, it is clear that he is not entitled to qualified immunity. The law is clear that an “at-will” employee cannot be fired for illegal, discriminatory reasons.
See Firestone Textile Co. v. Meadows,
E. Tort of Outrage
In recognizing a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, otherwise known as the tort of outrage, Kentucky has adopted the Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46. Comment d states, “Generally the case is one in which the recitation of facts to an average member of the community would arouse resentment against the actor, and lead him to exclaim, ‘Outrageous!’ The liability clearly does not extend to mere insults, indignities, threats, annoyances, petty oppression, or other trivialities____” Restatement (Second) of Torts § 46.
In
Humana v. Seitz,
Since the seminal case of
Craft v. Rice,
This trend has continued. In 1994 the Sixth Circuit upheld the district court’s decision in
Pierce.
In
Pierce
the defendant’s
*298
employee, while demoting the plaintiff, commented to the plaintiff that he “might as well have been a murderer, rapist, or child molester” among other crude, sexually implicit remarks. Construing Kentucky law, the Sixth Circuit found that the defendant’s employee’s conduct was not outrageous enough to sustain a cause of action against the defendant. The Court held, “[U]nder Kentucky’s stringent standards, no reasonable juror could conclude that the company’s actions were so outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.”
Pierce,
Moreover, recently revisiting this tort in the case,
Kroger Co. v. Willgruber,
Examining the relevant Kentucky ease law, it becomes clear that the conduct alleged is not extreme and outrageous. The conduct here is nowhere near that of a nurse shouting “shut-up” to a woman who had delivered her stillborn child, unassisted, into a bedpan, or a husband who' had committed adultery spending the proceeds of checks and other assets during divorce proceedings and then threatening his soon to be ex-wife to achieve a favorable settlement. Kentucky Courts ruled that the conduct described above did not constitute outrageous conduct under Kentucky law.
Humana,
Although discharging an employee on the basis of gender may be illegal and reprehensible, a great deal more is required to approach outrageous conduct. Such conduct is bad conduct, but it is not outrageous and intolerable conduct, as defined in Kentucky case law. The record contains nothing which would support a finding of outrageous and intolerable behavior in this matter.
Comment h of the Restatement states,
It is for the court to determine, on the first instance, whether the Defendant’s conduct may reasonably be regarded as so extreme and outrageous as to permit recovery, or whether it is necessarily so. Where reasonable men may differ, it is for the jury, subject to the control of the court, to determine whether, in the particular case, the conduct has been sufficiently extreme and outrageous to result in liability.
Following the precedent set forth above, the court does not find that the nature of the conduct is such that the case should be submitted to the jury. Consequently, the defendants’ motion for summary judgment as to the claim for outrageous conduct shall be granted.
Accordingly,
IT IS ORDERED:
(1) That the motion of the plaintiff for summary judgment [Record No. 40] be, and the same hereby is, DENIED;
(2) That the motion of the defendants for summary judgment [Record Nos. 38, 68 & 70] be, and the same hereby is, GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART;
(3) That the claim pursuant to Title VII be, and the same hereby is, DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE;
(4) That the tort of outrage claim be, and the same hereby is, DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE;
(5) The claim against Barger under KRS Chapter 344 in his individual capacity be, and the same hereby is, DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE;
(6) That this matter shall proceed on the 42 U.S.C. § 1983 equal protection claim and *299 the claim pursuant to the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, KRS Chapter 344.
Notes
. Also included as defendants in this action are Petty County; Sherman Neace (Perry County Judge Executive); the Fiscal Court of Perry County; Johnny Blair (Perry County Magistrate); Freddie Combs (Perry County Magistrate); and Denny Ray Noble (Perry County Magistrate). They are referred to throughout as the defendants. However, where distinctions must be made between the defendants, Defendant Barger will be referred to as Barger and the rest of the defendants will be referred to as Perry County and the Perry County officials.
. In an unpublished opinion, the Sixth Circuit followed the Fifth Circuit’s use of the six factors.
See Walton v. Michigan,
. Much debate has occurred in the federal circuit courts of appeal over whether the term "agent” allows a supervisor to be sued in his or her individual capacity under Title VII or the ADEA.
. According to this Court’s research, all circuits which have directly addressed the issue of individual liability under Title VII, or its close counterpart the ADEA, have found no individual liability for supervisors.
See Geier v. Medtronic, Inc., 99
F.3d 238, 244 (7th Cir.1996) (Title VII);
Haynes v. Williams,
. A claim for violation of federally protected rights (under color of law) whether statutory or constitutional is actionable by way of § 1983.
Maine v. Thiboutot,