Opinion
DOCKET NO. A-1322-10T1
09-27-2011
IN THE MATTER OF PERFECTO CORBACHO.
Ramon A. Camejo argued the cause for appellant Perfecto Corbacho (Kassem & Camejo, LLC, attorneys; Mr. Camejo, on the brief). Phoebe S. Sorial argued the cause for respondent Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor (Phoebe S. Sorial, General Counsel, Waterfront Commission, attorney; Ms. Sorial and Michelle J. Demeri, on the brief).
NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
Before Judges Cuff and Waugh.
On appeal from the Waterfront Commission of
New York Harbor.
Ramon A. Camejo argued the cause for
appellant Perfecto Corbacho (Kassem &
Camejo, LLC, attorneys; Mr. Camejo, on the
brief).
Phoebe S. Sorial argued the cause for
respondent Waterfront Commission of New York
Harbor (Phoebe S. Sorial, General Counsel,
Waterfront Commission, attorney; Ms. Sorial
and Michelle J. Demeri, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Appellant Perfecto Corbacho appeals from a final decision of respondent Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor (Waterfront Commission) that revoked his registration as a longshoreman. Appellant argues the sanction is not warranted by the relatively minor offenses committed by him. We affirm.
Having thoroughly reviewed the record, we conclude that the decision to revoke appellant's registration is supported by substantial credible evidence in the administrative record. R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(D). We add the following brief comments.
Appellant does not dispute that he has been convicted of four disorderly persons offenses and one criminal offense over the period of twenty years. These offenses include two lewdness charges, one disorderly conduct charge, one theft charge and one criminal sexual contact charge. As a result of the later charge, appellant is a registered sex offender. In addition, he was subject to internal disciplinary action for the theft of merchandise. The record also reflects he was advised in 2004 that he was required to report every arrest. He acknowledged then he understood the need to report and the serious sanctions for failure to report an arrest, which included revocation of his registration. In 2009, the Waterfront Commission advised him again of the requirement to report every arrest. In December 2009, respondent served Corbacho with a notice of hearing for violations of rules and regulations of the Waterfront Commission, including the five convictions and two instances of failure to report the 1993 criminal sexual contact conviction and the 2008 lewdness conviction.
On arrest, he was charged with soliciting prostitution and pled guilty to disorderly conduct.
The focus of this appeal is the severity of the sanction imposed by the Waterfront Commission. Our scope of review is limited. We will only disturb a final agency decision if we conclude the decision is arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable. In re Holy Name Hosp., 301 N.J. Super. 282, 295 (App. Div. 1997). Here, the Waterfront Commission had the authority to institute proceedings to revoke, cancel or suspend any license. N.J.S.A. 32:23-46. When the issue is the severity of a sanction, we must generally defer to the judgment of the agency, particularly when the agency is vested with authority to regulate the conduct of a discrete set of employees or professionals. In re Zahl, 186 N.J. 341, 353 (2006). The sanction imposed by the Waterfront Commission is severe; however, we discern no basis to disturb the decision of the agency as it discharges its statutory function to preserve the peace and safety of the waterfront district. N.J.S.A. 32:23-29(c) and -31(f).
Affirmed.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original on file in my office.
CLERK OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION