May an employer dispute plaintiff's prima facie case of racial discrimination by disputing the similarly situated status of comparators on a ground made unlawful by the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Must a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason adduced to justify an adverse employment action be lawful or may, as here, defendants provide an unlawful basis for the disparate treatment of Petitioner as a legitimate, non-discriminatory reason for its action and still prevail?

May an employer dispute a plaintiff's prima facie case of racial discrimination by using a comparator status determination that violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, and may an employer provide an unlawful basis as a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for adverse employment action?