Opinion
2014-11-6
In the Matter of Donald ROBINSON, Petitioner, v. Anthony J. ANNUCCI, as Acting Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, Respondent.
Donald Robinson, Comstock, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Donald Robinson, Comstock, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
Before: STEIN, J.P., GARRY, ROSE, LYNCH and DEVINE, JJ.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Sullivan County) to review a determination of respondent which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
Upon the discovery of various items during a search of his prison cell, which included tobacco that had been received in a package by another inmate, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with smuggling, unauthorized exchange, possession of an altered item, possession in an unauthorized area, possession of contraband and providing unauthorized legal assistance. Subsequently, based upon an interview with another inmate who alleged that he had performed oral sex on petitioner in exchange for protection and food, petitioner was charged in a second misbehavior report with engaging in a sexual act and unauthorized exchange. During a tier III disciplinary hearing addressing both misbehavior reports, petitioner pleaded guilty to all of the charges in the first report except providing unauthorized legal assistance. At the conclusion of the hearing, he was found guilty of the remaining charges and that determination was affirmed upon administrative appeal. Petitioner thereafter commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding.
With respect to the first misbehavior report, petitioner is precluded from challenging the finding of guilt with respect to those charges to which he pleaded guilty ( see Matter of Flemming v. Rock, 112 A.D.3d 1259, 1260, 977 N.Y.S.2d 508 [2013], lv. denied22 N.Y.3d 863, 2014 WL 702013 [2014] ). Further he has abandoned any challenge to the finding of guilt with respect to providing unauthorized legal assistance by his failure to advance such in his brief ( see Matter of Harding v. Prack, 118 A.D.3d 1231, 1232, 987 N.Y.S.2d 712 [2014] ).
Turning to the second misbehavior report, respondent concedes, and we agree, that the part of the determination finding petitioner guilty of unauthorized exchange is not supported by the record and, therefore, the determination must be annulled to that extent. However, petitioner has served the penalty and no loss of good time was recommended and, therefore, the matter need not be remitted ( see Matter of Fulmore v. Prack, 116 A.D.3d 1281, 1282, 983 N.Y.S.2d 748 [2014]; Matter of Page v. Lee, 116 A.D.3d 1275, 1275, 983 N.Y.S.2d 747 [2014] ). However, with regard to the charge of engaging in a sexual act, the detailed misbehavior report itself along with the supporting documentation provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt. Petitioner failed to preserve his procedural objections, namely, that the misbehavior report was deficient and that he was denied the right to call a witness, by his failure to raise these issues at the hearing ( see Matter of Amato v. Fischer, 115 A.D.3d 1100, 1101, 982 N.Y.S.2d 196 [2014]; Matter of Abrams v. Fischer, 109 A.D.3d 1030, 1031, 971 N.Y.S.2d 361 [2013] ).
ADJUDGED that the determination is modified, without costs, by annulling so much thereof as found petitioner guilty of unauthorized exchange; petition granted to that extent and respondent is directed to expunge all references to this charge from petitioner's institutional record; and, as so modified, confirmed.