Opinion
2012-01-5
In the Matter of Enrique ORTIZ, Petitioner, v. Brian FISCHER, as Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, et al., Respondents.
Enrique Ortiz, Coxsackie, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondents.
Enrique Ortiz, Coxsackie, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of counsel), for respondents.
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 Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision which found petitioner guilty of violating a prison disciplinary rule.
During a search of petitioner's cell, disbursement forms containing gang-related insignia and an article about a gang were recovered from petitioner's cell. As a result, he was charged in a misbehavior report with possessing gang-related materials. Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty of the charge and the determination was affirmed on administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
We confirm. The misbehavior report, together with the documentary evidence and testimony adduced at the hearing, including petitioner's admission to possessing the items in question and the testimony of the correction officials trained in identifying gang-related material, provide substantial evidence supporting the determination of guilt ( see Matter of Moore v. Fischer, 76 A.D.3d 737, 737, 907 N.Y.S.2d 348 [2010]; Matter of Wheeler–Whichard v. Fischer, 69 A.D.3d 1286, 1286, 896 N.Y.S.2d 483 [2010] ). Petitioner's assertion that the symbols on the disbursement forms were his personal mark and that the misbehavior report was retaliatory in nature presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve ( see Matter of Smith v. Fischer, 87 A.D.3d 1198, 1199, 929 N.Y.S.2d 503 [2011]; Matter of Harvey v. Bradt, 81 A.D.3d 1003, 1003–1004, 921 N.Y.S.2d 335 [2011] ). Moreover, petitioner's claim that he was denied adequate employee assistance because he was not provided copies of the disbursement forms and article is unavailing given that he was provided an opportunity to review these documents at the hearing, which he declined, and he has not demonstrated any prejudice ( see Matter of Cornwall v. Fischer, 73 A.D.3d 1367, 1368, 900 N.Y.S.2d 691 [2010]; Matter of Liner v. Fischer, 56 A.D.3d 1088, 1088, 868 N.Y.S.2d 368 [2008], lv. denied 12 N.Y.3d 703, 876 N.Y.S.2d 704, 904 N.E.2d 841 [2009] ). His challenge to the sufficiency of the misbehavior report is likewise unavailing as it contained enough detailed and specific information to allow petitioner to prepare an adequate defense ( see Matter of Rios v. Fischer, 59 A.D.3d 797, 797, 873 N.Y.S.2d 752 [2009]; Matter of Maya v. Goord, 272 A.D.2d 724, 725, 707 N.Y.S.2d 551 [2000], lv. denied 96 N.Y.2d 704, 723 N.Y.S.2d 131, 746 N.E.2d 186 [2001] ). Petitioner's remaining contentions are either unpreserved for our review or are lacking in merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.