Opinion
No. 2007-09707.
March 11, 2008.
Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review a determination of the New York State Liquor Authority dated June 2, 2006, which adopted the recommendation of an Administrative Law Judge dated April 30, 2006, made after a hearing, sustaining charges that the petitioner had violated Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 65 (1), directed a 10-day suspension, and imposed a civil penalty in the sum of $6,000.
Devane Groder, LLP, Mineola, N.Y. (Mitchell Dranow of counsel), for appellant.
Thomas J. Donohue, New York, N.Y. (Scott A. Weiner of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Rivera, J.P., Skelos, Santucci and Leventhal, JJ.
Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, the petition is denied, and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, with costs.
Upon judicial review of a determination rendered by an administrative body following a hearing, this Court's function is limited to consideration of whether the determination is supported by substantial evidence ( see Matter of Lahey v Kelly, 71 NY2d 135, 140; Matter of Alegre Deli v New York State Liq. Auth., 298 AD2d 581, 582). The term "substantial evidence" has been held to be a "minimal standard" ( Matter of FMC Corp. [Peroxygen Chems. Div.] v Unmack, 92 NY2d 179, 188; Matter of Cafe La China Corp. v New York State Liq. Auth., 43 AD3d 280). Hearsay evidence is admissible in administrative proceedings, and may, if sufficiently relevant and probative, constitute substantial evidence ( see People ex rel. Vega v Smith, 66 NY2d 130, 139; Matter of Abdelrahman v New York State Liq. Auth., 209 AD2d 405, 406). Moreover, under appropriate circumstances, hearsay evidence may form the sole basis for an agency's ultimate determination ( see Matter of Gray v Adduci, 73 NY2d 741, 742-743; Matter of Ridge, Inc. v New York State Liq. Auth., 257 AD2d 625, 626; Matter of A.J. Taylor Rest, v New York State Liq. Auth., 214 AD2d 727).
The determination of the respondent New York State Liquor Authority sustaining charges that the petitioner violated Alcoholic Beverage Control Law § 65 (1), which prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21, is supported by substantial evidence ( see Matter of 294 Grand Ave. Grocery Corp. v New York State Liq. Auth., 12 AD3d 521; Matter of Oneonta Water St. v New York State Liq. Auth., 279 AD2d 849, 850; Matter of Sue's Rendezvous of Westchester v New York State Liq. Auth., Ill AD2d 273; cf. Matter of Vitagliano v State of NY. Liq. Auth., 174 AD2d 624).
Additionally, the penalty imposed is not so disproportionate to the offense as to be shocking to one's sense of fairness ( see Matter of Cantina El Bukis Corp. v New York State Liq. Auth., 46 AD3d 557, 558; Matter of Oneonta Water St. v New York State Liq. Auth., 279 AD2d at 851; Matter of Ira Wyman, Inc. v New York State Liq. Auth., 170 AD2d 991).