Opinion
July 16, 1993
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Oneida County, Grow, J.
Present — Denman, P.J., Balio, Lawton, Doerr and Boehm, JJ.
Determination unanimously confirmed without costs and petition dismissed. Memorandum: Petitioner contends that respondent Silsby's determination in this Civil Service Law § 75 proceeding was not supported by substantial evidence. We disagree. A rational basis for respondent's findings is found in the record, and therefore his determination is supported by substantial evidence (see, 300 Gramatan Ave. Assocs. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 181-182).
We also find no merit to petitioner's contention that his due process rights were violated by the fact that the City Attorney was the removing party's attorney and also the prosecuting attorney (see, Anderson v. Dolce, 653 F. Supp. 1556; see generally, Withrow v. Larkin, 421 U.S. 35, 58).
Petitioner further contends that respondent's determination must be annulled because his due process rights were violated by the removing officer's refusal to recuse himself. He asserts that the removing officer's decision was influenced by public officials and community feeling. That assertion is insufficient to overcome the presumption of integrity of those serving as adjudicators and to establish a violation of petitioner's due process rights (see, Hortonville Dist. v. Hortonville Educ. Assn., 426 U.S. 482, 493; Withrow v. Larkin, supra, at 47-55; Matter of Warder v. Board of Regents, 53 N.Y.2d 186, 197-198, cert denied 454 U.S. 1125; Matter of Grant v. Senkowski, 146 A.D.2d 948, 949-950).
Petitioner also asserts that the penalty of dismissal was excessive. Because petitioner was found guilty of charges involving deceitful actions, interfering with a police investigation, and causing a negative impact upon the integrity of the department, the punishment of dismissal is not so disproportionate as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness (see generally, Matter of Alfieri v. Murphy, 38 N.Y.2d 976, 977; Matter of Pagan v. Brown, 176 A.D.2d 690, lv denied 79 N.Y.2d 754; Matter of Freyre v. Ward, 161 A.D.2d 349).
We have reviewed petitioner's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit.