David Wheeler v. Mgm Resorts International

MEMORANDUM

David Wheeler challenges the district court’s grant of summary judgment to MGM Resorts International (“MGM”). Because the parties are familiar with the facts and history of the case, we need not recount it here. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

Wheeler claims that during the time that he worked at Luxor Hotel and Casino, he was subjected to harassment, a hostile work environment, and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e. The district court properly awarded summary judgment to MGM because it never employed Wheeler, and Wheeler is entitled to Title VII’s protections only if he is an employee of the defendant. Murray v. Principal Fin. Grp., Inc., 613 F.3d 943, 944 (9th Cir.2010). Wheeler was employed by Ramparts, Inc. d/b/a Luxor Hotel and Casino. Though it is true that MGM Resorts International is the parent corporation to Mandalay Resort Group, and Mandalay Resort Group is the parent corporation to Ramparts, Inc., “[i]n the absence of special circumstances, a parent corporation is not liable for the Title VII violations of its wholly owned subsidiary.” Watson v. Gulf & W. Indus., 650 F.2d…