Opinion
533085
11-10-2021
In the Matter of Sean CHUNG, Petitioner, v. Anthony J. ANNUCCI, as Acting Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision, et al., Respondents.
Sean Chung, Attica, petitioner pro se. Letitia James, Attorney General, Albany (Kate H. Nepveu of counsel), for respondents.
Sean Chung, Attica, petitioner pro se.
Letitia James, Attorney General, Albany (Kate H. Nepveu of counsel), for respondents.
Before: Egan Jr., J.P., Lynch, Clark, Reynolds Fitzgerald and Colangelo, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND JUDGMENT
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Albany County) to review a determination of respondent Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision finding petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
According to a misbehavior report charging petitioner with various disciplinary rule violations, petitioner and two other incarcerated individuals were observed aggressively chasing after another incarcerated individual with their fists clenched, looking to fight him. The misbehavior report further states that neither petitioner nor the other incarcerated individuals involved initially complied with direct orders to stop running and get on the ground. A tier III disciplinary proceeding ensued, at the conclusion of which petitioner was found guilty of engaging in violent conduct, disobeying a direct order and interfering with an employee. Upon administrative appeal, that determination was modified to the extent of dismissing the charge of interfering with an employee, but was otherwise affirmed. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
Petitioner was found not guilty of creating a disturbance and violating facility movement regulations.
Contrary to petitioner's contention, the misbehavior report, supporting documentation, video evidence and testimony at the hearing provide substantial evidence to support the determination of guilt (see Matter of Lashway v. Keyser, 178 A.D.3d 1224, 1224–1225, 115 N.Y.S.3d 166 [2019] ; Matter of Nelson v. Annucci, 172 A.D.3d 1806, 1806, 100 N.Y.S.3d 784 [2019] ). To the extent that petitioner asserts that his behavior did not constitute violent conduct because no one was injured, we note that the rule against violent conduct specifically prohibits "conduct involving the threat of violence" and does not require actual injury ( 7 NYCRR 270.2 [B][5][ii]).
We are also unpersuaded by petitioner's contention that the misbehavior report, which clearly set forth the factual allegations and petitioner's specific involvement in the incident, was inadequate to inform him of the charges against him. Although the misbehavior report used incorrect departmental identification numbers for petitioner and two other incarcerated individuals involved in the incident, annulment is not warranted. The record reflects that the author of the misbehavior report, who observed the incident and those involved, testified that the discrepancy was a clerical error and, further, he was able to positively identify petitioner at the hearing as the subject of the misbehavior report. Furthermore, the misbehavior report identified the incarcerated individuals by name and their correct departmental identification numbers appeared on other supporting documentation. As such, any discrepancy regarding any departmental identification number in the misbehavior report amounts to a clerical error that was sufficiently explained at the hearing and, in any event, petitioner has not demonstrated any prejudice as a result of the minor error (see Matter of Ellison v. Goord, 269 A.D.2d 639, 639, 704 N.Y.S.2d 168 [2000] ; Matter of Rivera v. Goord, 248 A.D.2d 902, 902, 671 N.Y.S.2d 154 [1998] ). Petitioner's remaining contentions, including that he was denied the right to call witnesses and the Hearing Officer was biased, have been reviewed and found to be without merit.
Egan Jr., J.P., Lynch, Clark, Reynolds Fitzgerald and Colangelo, JJ., concur.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.