The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has ruled in *Matilde Santana v. Telemundo Network Group LLC*, a case involving workplace sexual harassment and retaliation claims against the major Spanish-language television network and its corporate affiliates.
Matilde Santana, a former employee of Telemundo, appealed multiple adverse rulings from the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida in her lawsuit against Telemundo Network Group LLC, NBCUniversal Media LLC, and Comcast Corporation. The case was heard by Circuit Judges Rosenbaum, Newsom, and Abudu, with Judge Abudu writing the court's opinion.
Santana's lawsuit was based on her complaints about sexually charged comments and unwanted physical contact from her supervisor, Anibal Soto, according to the court filing. The complaint also alleged that the workplace maintained a permissive, sexualized atmosphere that was fostered in part by the station's general manager, Luis Roldan.
The plaintiff brought claims under both federal and state anti-discrimination laws. Her federal claims were filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, codified at 42 U.S.C. § 2000e, which prohibits employment discrimination based on protected characteristics including sex. She also pursued claims under the Florida Civil Rights Act, the state's parallel anti-discrimination statute.
Santana's appeal centered on three specific district court rulings that she contested. First, she challenged the trial court's dismissal of her retaliation claims. Retaliation claims under Title VII protect employees from adverse employment actions taken because they complained about discrimination or participated in discrimination proceedings.
Second, Santana appealed the district court's grant of summary judgment on her hostile work environment claim. Hostile work environment claims require plaintiffs to show that workplace conduct was severe or pervasive enough to alter the conditions of employment and create an abusive working environment.
Third, the plaintiff challenged the district court's denial of her motion for reconsideration under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59. Rule 59 motions allow parties to ask courts to reconsider their decisions based on newly discovered evidence, clear errors of law, or to prevent manifest injustice.
The case represents another chapter in workplace discrimination litigation involving major media companies. Telemundo Network Group LLC operates the nation's second-largest Spanish-language television network and is owned by NBCUniversal Media LLC, which is itself a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
The court filing indicates that Santana logged repeated complaints about the alleged misconduct, suggesting she followed internal reporting procedures before filing her lawsuit. This detail could be relevant to both her underlying discrimination claims and any retaliation allegations, as Title VII requires employees to engage with their employer's complaint processes in many circumstances.
The involvement of both a supervisor and general manager in the alleged misconduct could strengthen claims about the pervasiveness of the alleged hostile environment. Courts often examine whether harassment was perpetrated by supervisors or high-level employees when assessing employer liability.
The Eleventh Circuit's decision is marked "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," indicating that while the ruling resolves the specific dispute between the parties, it will not serve as binding precedent for future cases in the circuit. Unpublished decisions can still be cited for their persuasive value but carry less weight than published opinions.
The case originated in 2020 when Santana filed her initial complaint in the Middle District of Florida, as indicated by the district court docket number 6:20-cv-01157. The progression from initial filing to appellate decision demonstrates the lengthy timeline often involved in employment discrimination litigation.
For Santana, the appeal represented an opportunity to overturn adverse rulings and potentially proceed to trial on her claims. Employment discrimination cases often turn on factual disputes about workplace conduct, making summary judgment rulings particularly significant for plaintiffs seeking their day in court.
The corporate defendants include major players in the media landscape. Telemundo Network Group competes with Univision as one of the dominant Spanish-language broadcasters in the United States. NBCUniversal operates numerous television networks, film studios, and digital properties, while Comcast serves as the parent company for the entertainment conglomerate.
The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Santana's claims can proceed further in the litigation process or whether the district court's rulings effectively ended her case. Employment discrimination litigation often involves multiple rounds of motion practice and appeals before reaching final resolution.
The Eleventh Circuit covers federal appeals from district courts in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, handling a significant volume of employment discrimination cases given the population and business activity in those states.