Opinion
2012-12-21
In The Matter of Timothy SZCZEPANIAK, Petitioner, v. CITY OF ROCHESTER, Respondent.
The Parrinello Law Firm, LLP, Rochester (J. Matthew Parrinello of Counsel), for Petitioner. Robert J. Bergin, Corporation Counsel, Rochester (Yvette Chancellor Green of Counsel), for Respondent.
The Parrinello Law Firm, LLP, Rochester (J. Matthew Parrinello of Counsel), for Petitioner. Robert J. Bergin, Corporation Counsel, Rochester (Yvette Chancellor Green of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: CENTRA, J.P., PERADOTTO, SCONIERS, VALENTINO, AND MARTOCHE, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:
Petitioner commenced this proceeding seeking to annul the determination finding him guilty of disciplinary charges and terminating him from his employment as a firefighter for respondent. We conclude that the determination is supported by substantial evidence, i.e., “such relevant proof as a reasonable mind may accept as adequate to support a conclusion or ultimate fact” ( 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 180, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183;seeCPLR 7803[4]; see generally 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, 230–232, 356 N.Y.S.2d 833, 313 N.E.2d 321). Hearsay is admissible in administrative proceedings, “and if sufficiently relevant and probative may constitute substantial evidence” ( People ex rel. Vega v. Smith, 66 N.Y.2d 130, 139, 495 N.Y.S.2d 332, 485 N.E.2d 997;see Matter of Gray v. Adduci, 73 N.Y.2d 741, 742, 536 N.Y.S.2d 40, 532 N.E.2d 1268;Matter of Ebling v. Town of Eden, 59 A.D.3d 978, 978–979, 873 N.Y.S.2d 508). The hearsay evidence admitted at the hearing consisted of attendance records for petitioner's outside employment, and that evidence was relevant and probative on the charges that petitioner worked at that outside employment while he was on sick leave or on leave from his employment with respondent and receiving benefits pursuant to section 8B–5 of the Charter of the City of Rochester. Thus, there is no merit to petitioner's contention that the determination is not supported by substantial evidence because the evidence presented was hearsay ( see Matter of Paul v. Israel, 90 A.D.3d 666, 666, 933 N.Y.S.2d 883). Finally, we conclude that the penalty of termination from petitioner's employment is not “ ‘so disproportionate to the offense[s] as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness,’ ” and thus does not constitute an abuse of discretion as a matter of law (Matter of Kelly v. Safir, 96 N.Y.2d 32, 38, 724 N.Y.S.2d 680, 747 N.E.2d 1280,rearg. denied96 N.Y.2d 854, 729 N.Y.S.2d 670, 754 N.E.2d 773).
It is hereby ORDERED that the determination is unanimously confirmed without costs and the petition is dismissed.