Opinion
2014-07940 Index No. 5085/14.
01-20-2016
In the Matter of Richard M. SHANE, etc., petitioner, v. NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF LICENSING SERVICES, respondent.
Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker, PLLC, Uniondale, N.Y. (Christian Browne and Ralph Branciforte of counsel), for petitioner. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York, N.Y. (Michael S. Belohlavek and Jason Harrow of counsel), for respondent.
Sahn Ward Coschignano & Baker, PLLC, Uniondale, N.Y. (Christian Browne and Ralph Branciforte of counsel), for petitioner.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, New York, N.Y. (Michael S. Belohlavek and Jason Harrow of counsel), for respondent.
Opinion
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review so much of a determination of the New York State Department of State dated April 24, 2014, as affirmed so much of a determination of an administrative law judge dated November 27, 2013, made after a hearing, as, upon determining that the petitioner demonstrated untrustworthiness and incompetency, pursuant to Real Property Law § 441–c, revoked his license to act as a corporate real estate broker.
ADJUDGED that the determination dated April 24, 2014, is confirmed insofar as reviewed, the petition is denied, and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, with costs.
By order dated August 13, 2014, the Supreme Court transferred this proceeding to this Court pursuant to CPLR 7804(g). The subject petition only sought review of the penalty imposed and did not raise issues of substantial evidence (see Matter of Ottley v. New York City Hous. Auth., 106 A.D.3d 741, 744, 964 N.Y.S.2d 228; Matter of Kerney v. Hernandez, 60 A.D.3d 544, 544, 874 N.Y.S.2d 804). Therefore, transfer of the proceeding to this Court was not warranted (see CPLR 7804[g] ). Nevertheless, in the interest of judicial economy, we will retain jurisdiction to decide the propriety of the penalty (see Matter of Charles v. Commissioner, N.Y. State Dept. of Social Servs., 240 A.D.2d 490, 490, 658 N.Y.S.2d 645).
After a hearing before an administrative law judge (hereinafter the ALJ), the petitioner was found to have demonstrated untrustworthiness and incompetency pursuant to Real Property Law § 441–c. The ALJ was entitled to consider the past disciplinary actions commenced against the petitioner in fashioning a penalty for his violations in this matter (see Matter of Razik v. New York State Dept. of State Div. of Licensing Servs., 60 A.D.3d 769, 771, 875 N.Y.S.2d 184; Matter of Gouiran v. Department of State of State of N.Y., 82 A.D.2d 832, 832, 439 N.Y.S.2d 673). The New York State Department of State has wide discretion in fashioning penalties for a broker whose conduct has been deemed untrustworthy (see Matter of Razik v, New York State Dept. of State Div. of Licensing Servs., 60 A.D.3d at 771, 875 N.Y.S.2d 184; Matter of Facey v. Department of State, 132 A.D.2d 698, 698–699, 518 N.Y.S.2d 177).
Under the circumstances, the revocation of the petitioner's license to act as a corporate real estate broker was not so disproportionate to the offenses as to shock the judicial conscience (see Matter of Kelly v. Safir, 96 N.Y.2d 32, 38, 724 N.Y.S.2d 680, 747 N.E.2d 1280; Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ. of Union Free School Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale & Mamaroneck, Westchester County, 34 N.Y.2d 222, 237, 356 N.Y.S.2d 833, 313 N.E.2d 321; Matter of Maneri v. New York State Dept. of State, 240 A.D.2d 748, 748, 660 N.Y.S.2d 26).