Can an Employer Recover Attorney Fees from an Employee Who Reports Discrimination

My question involves labor and employment law for the state of:

So long story short I filed a Claim of discrimination/Harassment with the Florida Commission on Human Relations. Its in the process of being investigated after they excepted my claim. The complaint was sent to the employer and responded with papers from their lawyer defending their stance. At the end of the paperwork they state that they feel the case should be dropped and be "awarded its attorney's fees". This isnt even a suit, just a complaint. How can these people ask for such a thing. I talked to the investigator for the FCCHR and he told me he didn't think they could do this, nor has he seen this. Is this illegal or right?

Please help, I cannot afford a lawyer and do not know what to do at this point. I do not want to go down some lengthy situation where they are using their lawyers resources to the point where I could be responsible in the end.

Thank you,

Confused

They are blowing smoke. Listen to your investigator.

So you don't think that staying or withdrawing from my case would result in them after the fact coming after me for legal fees on their own dime? I do not want to play this child's game.

Then don't. They're blowing smoke. Listen to your investigator.

Agree with ee.

They are just trying to scare you into withdrawing.

If it was me, I'd escalate by filing a complaint with the federal EEOC as well.

In fact, I would motion to strike that portion asking for attny fees in their response. I doubt that attny fees are recoverable. Unless a statue says so, the american way is each party pays for their own. And perhaps your attny fees would be recoverable if successful ... examine your state statues to discover this.

A motion and memorandum of law highlighting why it should be stricken...

This really should be part of a counter-claim anyway, not just tacked on to the end of a response.

Oh, and it is a "suit" .. you have taken it to a quasi-judicial admin agency who will likely have a legal hearing on this matter.

Crack open the books on admin law in your state, evidence rules, and the agency's regulations if you wish a most favorable outcome to your case.

I thought that in will be handed over to the EEOC after the FCHR makes a recommendation on the matter.

Quote:

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Quoting jgerardi1985

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I thought that in will be handed over to the EEOC after the FCHR makes a recommendation on the matter.

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I don't think so ... file w/EEOC if you desire ...

If that's what the FCHR told you then that's what will happen.

OK, well I hate to ask a million questions but....
How can the companies legal team make a stance with evidence (exhibit A etc.) and asking that the claim must fail and then ask to be awarded attorney fees. How does a legal team not know that the FCHR does NOT award anything nor make judgment on anything, im not even suing them lol. Kind of confused by this. Can they sue me for their attorneys fees after the case is closed. Just seems strange. Anyone with a lot of knowledge on this?

Thank you