Harry Ross v. State of Alaska Human Rights Commission

Summary

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the superior court’s decision upholding the Commission’s determination that Harry Ross failed to prove that the Railroad’s stated reasons for not selecting him for a trainmaster position were pretextual. Although evidence concerning racial bias, subjective interview criteria, and possible post-hoc explanations could support a contrary finding, the court held that the evidence detracting from the Commission’s decision was not dramatically disproportionate to the supporting evidence under the deferential substantial-evidence standard. The court therefore concluded that the Commission’s decision was adequately supported by the record.