The failure of a witness to respond to a subpoena issued by the hearing officer not necessarily fatal to the administrative decision if good cause for such failure is shown
The Appellate Division affirmed a Supreme Court’s denial of an Article 78 petition seeking to annul the determination of Waterfront Commission of New York.
Among the addressed by the Appellate Division concerning the admission of hearsay statements in the course of the proceeding and petitioner’s inability to cross-examine a witness alleged to have made statements to the detriment of the petitioner.
As to the issue concerning hearsay evidence, the Appellate Division ruled that “The admission of hearsay statements at the administrative hearing did not violate petitioner's due process rights to a fair hearing or cross-examination.” The court explained that “It is well established that ‘[h]earsay evidence can be the basis of an administrative determination,’" citing Gray v Adduci, 73 NY2d 741.
The court also noted that in addition to the challenged hearsay testimony, the Commission presented testimony that corroborated the hearsay testimony.
The court also noted that in addition to the challenged hearsay testimony, the Commission presented testimony that corroborated the hearsay testimony.
With respect to the issue concerning the petitioner’s inability to cross-examine an individual who made statements implicating him because the individual ignored a subpoena issued by the Administrative Law Judge, the Appellate Division said that this did not require a different result. In the words of the court: “The fact that the subpoena may have been ignored was not the fault of [Commission] or the [Administrative Law Judge…” as the target of the subpoena was incarcerated at the time.
The court noted that the petitioner was able to cross-examine the live witnesses, and good cause was established for the failure to produce the subpoenaed witness at the hearing.
The decision is posted on the Internet at:
http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2013/2013_01496.htm