The Fifth Amendment's bar against “self-incrimination” does not protect an individual who lies in the course of an official inquiry
2016 NY Slip Op 08368, Appellate Division, Second Department
In this proceeding pursuant to CPLR Article 78 to review the appointing authority’s adopting a Civil Service Law §75 hearing officer's findings and recommendation as to the discipline to be imposed, the Appellate Division sustained the appointing authority’s finding the employee [Petitioner] guilty of certain charges of misconduct and incompetence filed against him and imposing the penalty of dismissal of the Petitioner from his employment.
Among the charges filed against Petitioner was that, in response to a request for an account concerning an incident, Petitioner conceded made a false statement to his superior.
In sustaining the appointing authority’s action, the Appellate Division noted that the privilege against self-incrimination set out in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was not a bar to the disciplinary charge alleging that Petitioner had made the false statement because he was not required to waive his immunity with respect to the use of the statements in a criminal proceeding.
The court, citing Brogan v United States, 522 US 398, explained that "neither the text nor the spirit of the Fifth Amendment confers the privilege to lie." Similarly, in In Matter of Mathis (Commissioner of Labor), 110 AD3d 1412, the Appellate Division held that an employee’s constitutional right against self-incrimination does not give the individual the right to answer questions untruthfully.
As to the penalty imposed on Petitioner, termination from his position, the Appellate Division said that a court "may set aside an administrative penalty only if it is so disproportionate to the offense as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness, thus constituting an abuse of discretion as a matter of law." In this instance, said the court, the penalty of dismissal is not so disproportionate to the offenses as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness.”
As to the penalty imposed on Petitioner, termination from his position, the Appellate Division said that a court "may set aside an administrative penalty only if it is so disproportionate to the offense as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness, thus constituting an abuse of discretion as a matter of law." In this instance, said the court, the penalty of dismissal is not so disproportionate to the offenses as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness.”
Further, there may be unintended consequences if an employee is not truthful in responding to job related inquiries in an effort to avoid disciplinary action. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that a federal government agency could impose a harsher discipline on an employee who lied while being investigated for job-related conduct than might otherwise have been imposed. Although only federal employees were involved, the ruling may influence cases involving state and local employees.
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