Administrative Law Judge decisions posted on the Internet by the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings
Video tape introduced as evidence of employee’s use of unauthorized force
New York City Admin. for Children’s Services v Patterson, OATH Index No. 904/16
A juvenile counselor, Allen Patterson, employed by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services was served with five disciplinary charges setting out 23 specifications of misconduct pursuant to §75 of the Civil Service Law.
Among these charges and specifications were allegations that Patterson used unauthorized force against four different juvenile residents, made false and misleading statements and used profane and threatening language towards a supervisor.
In support of certain of the charges and specifications, Children’s Services introduced video and audio recordings of exchanges between Patterson and the juveniles in the course of the disciplinary hearing.
OATH Administrative Law Judge Noel Garcia found that although Children’s Services did not prove some of the specifications set out in the several Charges it filed against Patterson, it did prove 15 of those specifications.
Finding that Pattersonconsistently exhibited a pattern of behavior that violated agency rules and that portions of Patterson’s testimony at the administrative disciplinary hearing was not credible, Judge Garcia recommended termination of Patterson’s employment, which recommendation was adopted by the appointing authority.
The decision is posted on the Internet at:
Employee found guilty of disrespectful conduct and disruptive and threatening behavior
New York City Admin. for Children’s Services v Yu, OATH Index No. 1924/16
At a disciplinary hearing conducted pursuant to §75 of the Civil Service Law Oath Administrative Law Judge Alessandra F. Zorgniotti found that Laureen Yu engaged in disrespectful conduct towards her supervisor and exhibited disruptive and threatening behavior that caused other employees to feel unsafe.
Yu was alleged to have failed to be courteous and considerate of her fellow employees; sent discourteous text messages and e-mails to certain colleagues; failed to obey lawful orders; engaged in threatening behavior; violated a number of Children’s Services rules prohibiting rude, threatening, insubordinate, and disruptive conduct; and conducted herself “in a manner prejudicial to good order” while at work.
Judge Zorgniotti, noting that Yu had been formally disciplined on five prior occasions for similar misconduct, recommended that Yu be terminated from her employment.
The decision is posted on the Internet at:
Licensed Practical Nurse alleged to have orally and physically abused patient
NYC Health and Hospitals Corp. (Henry J. Carter Specialty Hospital and Nursing Facility) v Johnson, OATH Index No. 1415/16
OATH Administrative Law Judge Noel Garcia found that the Health and Hospitals Corporation failed to prove that Fiona Johnson, a licensed practical nurse, used profane language or was orally and physically abusive towards a patient.
In this administrative disciplinary action brought pursuant to §7:5 of the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the Corporation Judge Garcia found that the Hospital did not present reliable evidence as to the patient’s injury nor did it prove that Johnson was the person who committed the misconduct alleged. In contrast, said the ALJ, Johnson credibly testified about her interactions with the patient in which she denied any wrongdoing.
The ALJ also explained that the uncorroborated and unreliable “double hearsay” testimony was insufficient to establish that Johnson made threatening remarks towards an employee and a potential witness.
Judge Garcia recommended the charges against Johnson be dismissed and that she be paid for lost wages and benefits that resulted from her pre-hearing suspension without pay. The appointing authority adopted the ALJ’s recommendation.
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Adverse Personnel Decisions: A766-page E-book focusing challenging penalties imposed following administrative disciplinary action, adverse performance ratings, probationary terminations and the denial of unemployment insurance benefits initiated by officers and employees of New York State as an employer and its political subdivisions. For more information click on http://nypplarchives.blogspot.com/
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