January 26, 2016

OATH Administrative Law Judge recommended dismissal of disciplinary charges after finding supervisors’ testimony was unsupported by reliable documentary evidence


OATH Administrative Law Judge recommended dismissal of disciplinary charges after finding supervisors’ testimony unsupported by reliable documentary evidence
OATH Index No. 195/16

The Department of Environmental Protection charged the employee, a city research scientist, with failing to perform the duties of his job satisfactorily. The Department presented the testimony of employee's supervisors, as well as employee's work performance evaluations.

The employee testified that after filing an Equal Employment and Opportunity complaint against one of his supervisors, he had been treated unfairly and his supervisors rated his work performance as unsatisfactory.

OATH Administrative Law Judge Alessandra F. Zorgniotti found that the testimony of the supervisors was unsupported by reliable documentary evidence and thus was not objective proof that employee was unable to meet the minimally acceptable threshold requirements with respect to performing the duties of his position satisfactorily.

Judge Zorgniotti recommended that the charges be dismissed.   

The decision is posted on the Internet at: