Opinion
2011-09-30
In the Matter of Craig J. EMMERLING, Petitioner,v.TOWN OF RICHMOND, Respondent.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Fourth Judicial Department by order of the Supreme Court, Ontario County [William F. Kocher, A.J.], dated August 10, 2010) to review a determination of respondent. The determination, among other things, terminated petitioner's employment with respondent.Christina A. Agola, PLLC, Rochester (Christina A. Agola of Counsel), for petitioner.Kenyon & Kenyon Law Firm, Canandaigua (Edward C. Kenyon of Counsel), for respondent.MEMORANDUM:
Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding seeking to annul the determination, made after a hearing pursuant to Civil Service Law § 75, to terminate his employment as a Recreational Specialist for respondent. According to petitioner, the determination is not supported by substantial evidence ( see CPLR 7803[4] ), and he further contends that the penalty of termination constitutes an abuse of discretion ( see CPLR 7803[3] ). Upon our review of the record, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the determination that petitioner, whose duties involved extensive contact with children and who had been notified that he was required to act as a role model for them, committed misconduct within the meaning of Civil Service Law § 75 by selling an alcoholic beverage to a minor in violation of Penal Law § 260.20(2) ( see generally 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 180–181, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183). Furthermore, the penalty of termination is not so disproportionate to the offense, in light of all of the circumstances, as to shock one's sense of fairness ( see Matter of Pell v. Board of Educ. of Union Free School Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale & Mamaroneck, Westchester County, 34 N.Y.2d 222, 234–235, 356 N.Y.S.2d 833, 313 N.E.2d 321; see also Matter of Scahill v. Greece Cent. School Dist., 2 N.Y.3d 754, 778 N.Y.S.2d 771, 811 N.E.2d 33).
It is hereby ORDERED that the determination is unanimously confirmed without costs and the petition is dismissed.
SCUDDER, P.J., SMITH, CARNI, LINDLEY, and MARTOCHE, JJ., concur.