Opinion
2011-09-15
In the Matter of Aaron SMITH, Petitioner,v.Brian FISCHER, as Commissioner of Correctional Services, Respondent.
Aaron Smith, Moravia, petitioner pro se.Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (Peter H. Schiff of counsel), for respondent.
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 which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
During a search of petitioner's cell, a correction officer found, among other things, items belonging to other inmates as well as a graffiti-style drawing containing a symbol associated with an illegal gang. As a result, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with possessing gang-related material, engaging in an unauthorized exchange and possessing personal information of an employee. He was found guilty of the charges at the conclusion
of a tier III disciplinary hearing and the determination was affirmed on administrative appeal. This CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
Initially, respondent concedes and we agree that substantial evidence does not support that part of the determination finding petitioner guilty of possessing personal information of an employee, and the determination must be annulled to that extent ( see Matter of Sierra v. Fischer, 82 A.D.3d 1436, 1437, 918 N.Y.S.2d 682 [2011]; Matter of Fernandez v. Goord, 27 A.D.3d 806, 806, 809 N.Y.S.2d 685 [2006] ). However, given that petitioner has already served the penalty and a loss of good time was not imposed, the matter need not be remitted for a reassessment of the penalty ( see Matter of Hernandez v. Fischer, 79 A.D.3d 1544, 1545, 917 N.Y.S.2d 714 [2010], lv. denied 16 N.Y.3d 710, 922 N.Y.S.2d 272, 947 N.E.2d 164 [2011]; Matter of Al–Ibrahim v. Fischer, 73 A.D.3d 1314, 1315, 901 N.Y.S.2d 876 [2010] ). As for the charges of engaging in an unauthorized exchange and possessing gang-related material, the misbehavior report, documentary evidence and testimony adduced at the hearing support the finding of guilt ( see Matter of Moore v. Fischer, 76 A.D.3d 737, 737, 907 N.Y.S.2d 348 [2010]; Matter of Parra v. Fischer, 76 A.D.3d 724, 725, 907 N.Y.S.2d 345 [2010], lv. denied 15 N.Y.3d 714, 913 N.Y.S.2d 643, 939 N.E.2d 809 [2010] ). Petitioner's claim of retaliation presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve ( see Matter of Phipps v. Fischer, 82 A.D.3d 1396, 1397, 918 N.Y.S.2d 385 [2011] ). His assertion that the Hearing Officer was biased is not substantiated by the record, and there is no indication that the determination flowed from any alleged bias ( see Matter of Cornwall v. Fischer, 74 A.D.3d 1507, 1509, 904 N.Y.S.2d 520 [2010]; Matter of Purcell v. McKoy, 54 A.D.3d 1113, 1114, 864 N.Y.S.2d 574 [2008] ). Petitioner's remaining contentions are either unpreserved for our review or are lacking in merit.
ADJUDGED that the determination is modified, without costs, by annulling so much thereof as found petitioner guilty of possessing personal information of an employee; determination annulled to that extent and respondent is directed to expunge all references thereto from petitioner's institutional record; and, as so modified, confirmed.
MERCURE, J.P., PETERS, MALONE JR., KAVANAGH and STEIN, JJ., concur.