Opinion
11-18-2016
In the Matter of Leroy JOHNSON, Petitioner, v. John B. LEMPKE, Superintendent, Wende Correctional Facility, Respondent.
Leroy Johnson, Petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of Counsel), for Respondent.
Leroy Johnson, Petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Marcus J. Mastracco of Counsel), for Respondent.
PRESENT: CARNI, J.P., DeJOSEPH, NEMOYER, TROUTMAN, AND SCUDDER, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding seeking to annul the determination, following a tier II disciplinary hearing, that he violated various inmate rules. Respondent correctly concedes that the determination that petitioner violated inmate rule 107.10 (7 NYCRR 270.2 [B] [8][i] [interference with employee] ) is not supported by substantial evidence. We therefore modify the determination and grant the petition in part by aning that part of the determination finding that petitioner violated that inmate rule (see Matter of Vasquez v. Goord, 284 A.D.2d 903, 903–904, 725 N.Y.S.2d 921 ), and we direct respondent to expunge from petitioner's institutional record all references to the violation of that inmate rule (see Matter of Edwards v. Fischer, 87 A.D.3d 1328, 1330, 930 N.Y.S.2d 358 ). Inasmuch as the record establishes that petitioner has served his administrative penalty and there is no recommended loss of good time, there is no need to remit the matter to respondent for reconsideration of the penalty (see Matter of Maybanks v. Goord, 306 A.D.2d 839, 840, 761 N.Y.S.2d 566 ).
Contrary to petitioner's further contention, the determination that he violated the remaining inmate rules is supported by substantial evidence, including the misbehavior report and the testimony from the hearing (see generally People ex rel. Vega v. Smith, 66 N.Y.2d 130, 139, 495 N.Y.S.2d 332, 485 N.E.2d 997 ). Petitioner failed to exhaust his administrative remedies with respect to his contentions that the determination was arbitrary and capricious and the Hearing Officer was biased inasmuch as he failed to raise those contentions in his administrative appeal, “ ‘and this Court has no discretionary authority to reach th[ose] contention[s]’ ” (Matter of McFadden v. Prack, 93 A.D.3d 1268, 1269, 940 N.Y.S.2d 744 ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the determination so appealed from is unanimously modified on the law and the petition is granted in part by aning that part of the determination finding that petitioner violated inmate rule 107.10 (7 NYCRR 270.2 [B][8][i] ), and as modified the determination is confirmed without costs, and respondent is directed to expunge from petitioner's institutional record all references to the violation of that inmate rule.