Opinion
06-23-2016
In the Matter of Michael MAYS, Petitioner, v. Robert CUNNINGHAM, as Superintendent of Woodbourne Correctional Facility, Respondent.
Michael Mays, Woodbourne, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondent.
Michael Mays, Woodbourne, 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 the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision finding petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Petitioner, a prison inmate, was charged in a misbehavior report with engaging in an unauthorized exchange, possessing unauthorized medication, possessing contraband, possessing stolen property, possessing altered items and possessing gang-related material. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found not guilty of engaging in an unauthorized exchange and possessing stolen property, but guilty of the remaining charges. The determination was affirmed on administrative appeal and petitioner thereafter commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding.
Initially, respondent concedes and we agree that substantial evidence does not support the charge of possessing gang-related material. Accordingly, we annul that part of the determination. Given that petitioner has already served the penalty and a loss of good time was not imposed, the matter need not be remitted for a reassessment of the penalty (see Matter of Young v. Keyser, 136 A.D.3d 1084, 1084–1085, 25 N.Y.S.3d 389 [2016] ). Inasmuch as petitioner has limited his brief to challenging only the charge of possessing gang-related material, he has abandoned any challenge to the findings of guilt with respect to the remaining charges (see Matter of Carter v. Fischer, 117 A.D.3d 1262, 1262, 984 N.Y.S.2d 896 [2014] ; Matter of Staine v. Fischer, 111 A.D.3d 999, 999, 974 N.Y.S.2d 302 [2013] ). We reject petitioner's contention that the Hearing Officer did not conduct a fair and impartial hearing and there is nothing in the record to indicate that the Hearing Officer was biased or that the determination flowed from any alleged bias (see Matter of Collins v. Fischer, 109 A.D.3d 1040, 1040, 971 N.Y.S.2d 370 [2013], lv. dismissed 23 N.Y.3d 954, 988 N.Y.S.2d 123, 11 N.E.3d 197 [2014] ; Matter of Kalwasinski v. Bezio, 80 A.D.3d 1068, 1069, 914 N.Y.S.2d 695 [2011] ). Petitioner's remaining claims have been examined and found to be without merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is modified, without costs, by aning so much thereof as found petitioner guilty of possessing gang-related material; petition granted to that extent and the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision is directed to expunge all references to this charge from petitioner's institutional record; and, as so modified, confirmed.
PETERS, P.J., EGAN JR., ROSE, MULVEY and AARONS, JJ., concur.