Opinion
2011-12-22
In the Matter of Edwin BURGOS, Petitioner, v. Brian FISCHER, as Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Edwin Burgos, Romulus, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Edwin Burgos, Romulus, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner, a prison inmate, was participating in an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program when, apparently unhappy with the counselor's actions, he stood up, waved and shouted “everyone up, everyone out.” Despite several direct orders by the counselor to sit down, petitioner and approximately 12 others exited the room into the hallway. As a result, he was charged in a misbehavior report with demonstration, disturbing order, refusing a direct order and leaving an assigned area without authorization. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty of all charges. That determination was affirmed on administrative appeal, prompting this CPLR article 78 proceeding.
We confirm. The detailed misbehavior report, supporting documentation and hearing testimony, including the testimony of the counselor who authored the misbehavior report and petitioner's own admissions, provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt ( see Matter of Barnes v. Bezio, 86 A.D.3d 884, 884, 927 N.Y.S.2d 472 [2011]; Matter of Cognata v. Fischer, 85 A.D.3d 1456, 1457, 925 N.Y.S.2d 725 [2011] ). Petitioner's denial of the actions alleged and his theory that the misbehavior report was issued in retaliation for his having lodged a complaint against the counselor presented credibility issues to be resolved by the Hearing Officer ( see Matter of Quezada v. Fischer, 85 A.D.3d 1462, 925 N.Y.S.2d 726 [2011]; Matter of Cody v. Fischer, 84 A.D.3d 1651, 1651, 923 N.Y.S.2d 910 [2011] ). We note that, even if the events were precipitated by the counselor's abusive behavior as petitioner alleges, he was not entitled to engage in self-help measures ( see Matter of Kalwasinski v. Bezio, 79 A.D.3d 1568, 1569, 915 N.Y.S.2d 333 [2010]; Matter of Miller v. Goord, 2 A.D.3d 928, 930, 767 N.Y.S.2d 704 [2003] ).
Turning to petitioner's procedural contentions, we do not find the minor gaps in the hearing transcript to be so substantial as to prevent meaningful judicial review ( see Matter of Smith v. Martuscello, 85 A.D.3d 1516, 1516, 925 N.Y.S.2d 921 [2011], lv. denied 17 N.Y.3d 715, 2011 WL 5041668 [2011]; Matter of Montgomery v. Fischer, 84 A.D.3d 1666, 1667, 923 N.Y.S.2d 918 [2011] ). Finally, the record reveals that the determination of guilt resulted from the evidence presented at the hearing, rather than any alleged hearing officer bias ( see Matter of Faublas v. Rock, 85 A.D.3d 1519, 1520, 925 N.Y.S.2d 923 [2011] ).
The remainder of petitioner's contentions have been examined and found to be either unpreserved or without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.