Willful dishonesty in responding to superior’s question justifies dismissal of the employee

Willful dishonesty in responding to superior’s question justifies dismissal of the employee
Department of Correction v Katanic, OATH #2117/10

Jason Katanic, a NYC Department of Corrections correction officer, trained other officers in gun safety and marksmanship.

The Department charged Katanic with the possession of “five undocumented handguns and three undocumented rifles, including two rifles that were illegal assault weapons.”

OATH Administrative Law Judge Joan R. Salzman found that Katanic had failed to obtain the required permission from the Department before he purchased the weapons as required by Department Directives.*

Judge Salzman also found that Katanic “was willfully dishonest” on multiple occasions when questioned by his superiors about his possession of those firearms.

Judge Salzman recommended that, despite Katanic’s 13-year record with the Department, his dishonesty and breach of security and trust warranted his being terminated from his position.

* Directive 4511R-A provides that a correction officer was required to file the necessary form to apply for permission from the Commanding Officer to purchase a personal handgun and that “A separate application to/and approval from the member’s Commanding Officer must precede each purchase of an additional firearm.”

The decision is posted on the Internet at:
http://archive.citylaw.org/oath/10_Cases/10-2117.pdf
NYPPL