August 03, 2012

Employee’s termination based on the findings and recommendation of the disciplinary hearing officer


Employee’s termination based on the findings and recommendation of the disciplinary hearing officer
Snead v Village of Spring Valley, 2012 NY Slip Op 05749, Appellate Division, Second Department

Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules challenging the determination of the Village of Spring Valley Justice Court dismissing the individual from her position, noting that the Justice Court had adopted the findings and recommendation of the disciplinary hearing officer.

The Appellate Division affirmed the Justice Court’s action, noting that the alleged misconduct, falsification of public records, and insubordination, was supported by “substantial evidence adduced at the administrative hearing.”

In addition, the court held that “in light of the charges and the [employee’s] duties, the penalty imposed was not so disproportionate to the offenses as to be "shocking to one's sense of fairness," thus constituting an abuse of discretion as a matter of law, citing Pell v Board of Education, 34 NY2d 222.

The decision is posted on the Internet at:
http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2012/2012_05749.htm