Opinion
521914
07-21-2016
In the Matter of PAUL OSBORNE, Petitioner, v. DONALD VENETTOZZI, as Acting Director of Special Housing and Inmate Disciplinary Programs, Respondent.
Paul Osborne, Malone, petitioner pro se. Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (William E. Storrs of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Lahtinen, J.P., Garry, Egan Jr., Devine and Aarons, JJ.
Paul Osborne, Malone, petitioner pro se.
Eric T. Schneiderman, Attorney General, Albany (William E. Storrs of counsel), for respondent.
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 the Commissioner of Corrections and Community Supervision finding petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules.
While he was making his rounds, a correction officer heard petitioner in his cell yelling, using profane language and making threatening comments about law enforcement officials. When the officer told petitioner to stop yelling, he responded with more profane language and threatening statements. As a result of this incident, petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with harassment, interference, making threats, engaging in violent conduct, creating a disturbance and refusing a direct order.
Following a tier III disciplinary hearing, he was found guilty of harassment, making threats and engaging in violent conduct, but not guilty of the other charges. The determination was later affirmed on administrative appeal and this CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued.
We confirm. The detailed misbehavior report, together with the testimony of its author, provide substantial evidence supporting the determination of guilt (see Matter of Perkins v Annucci, 129 AD3d 1421, 1421 [2015]; Matter of Deleon v Prack, 111 AD3d 1204, 1205 [2013]). The contrary testimony of petitioner and his inmate witnesses presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Simmons v LaValley, 130 AD3d 1126,1127 [2015]; Matter of Espinal v Fischer, 114 AD3d 978, 979 [2014]). In addition, petitioner was not improperly denied the right to have two witnesses, whose testimony would have been redundant, testify at the hearing (see Matter of White v Fischer, 121 AD3d 1478, 1479 [2014]; Matter of Elias v Fischer, 118 AD3d 1193, 1194 [2014]). Furthermore, upon reviewing the record, we find no indication that the Hearing Officer was biased or that the determination flowed from any alleged bias (see Matter of Ramos v Prack, 125 AD3d 1036, 1037 [2015], lv dismissed 25 NY3d 1039 [2015]; Matter of Harris v Deputy Superintendent of Security Piccolo, 122 AD3d 1044, 1045 [2014]). We have considered petitioner's remaining contentions and find them to be unavailing.
Lahtinen, J.P., Garry, Egan Jr., Devine and Aarons, JJ., concur.
ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.