Opinion
02-10-2017
In the Matter of Shannon SCHEUNEMAN, Petitioner, v. NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HUMAN RIGHTS and Town of Tonawanda, Respondents.
Law Office of Lindy Korn, PLLC, Buffalo (Lindy Korn of Counsel), for Petitioner. Goldberg Segalla LLP, Buffalo (Kristin Klein Wheaton of Counsel), for Respondent Town of Tonawanda. Carolyn J. Downey, General Counsel, Bronx (Aaron M. Woskoff of Counsel), for Respondent New York State Division of Human Rights.
Law Office of Lindy Korn, PLLC, Buffalo (Lindy Korn of Counsel), for Petitioner.
Goldberg Segalla LLP, Buffalo (Kristin Klein Wheaton of Counsel), for Respondent Town of Tonawanda.
Carolyn J. Downey, General Counsel, Bronx (Aaron M. Woskoff of Counsel), for Respondent New York State Division of Human Rights.
PRESENT: WHALEN, P.J., CENTRA, DeJOSEPH, NEMOYER, AND TROUTMAN, JJ.
MEMORANDUM:Petitioner commenced this proceeding pursuant to Executive Law § 298 seeking to annul the determination of respondent New York State Division of Human Rights (SDHR) dismissing her complaint alleging unlawful discrimination and a hostile work environment. Our review of the determination, which adopted the findings of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who conducted the public hearing, "is limited to consideration of whether substantial evidence supports the agency determination" (Rainer N. Mittl, Ophthalmologist, P.C. v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 100 N.Y.2d 326, 331, 763 N.Y.S.2d 518, 794 N.E.2d 660 ; see 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 179–180, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183 ). "Although a contrary decision may be reasonable and also sustainable, a reviewing court may not substitute its judgment for that of the Commissioner [of SDHR] if his [or her determination] is supported by substantial evidence" (Matter of Consolidated Edison Co. of N.Y. v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 77 N.Y.2d 411, 417, 568 N.Y.S.2d 569, 570 N.E.2d 217, rearg. denied 78 N.Y.2d 909, 573 N.Y.S.2d 470, 577 N.E.2d 1061 ). We conclude that there is substantial evidence to support the determination that petitioner was not discriminated against on the basis of her gender. We agree with SDHR that petitioner met her burden of establishing a prima facie case of discrimination based on her gender when she was not promoted to a position with respondent Town of Tonawanda (Town) (see generally Forrest v. Jewish Guild for the Blind, 3 N.Y.3d 295, 305, 786 N.Y.S.2d 382, 819 N.E.2d 998 ). We further agree with SDHR, however, that the Town presented a legitimate, independent and nondiscriminatory reason to support its decision to offer the position to another employee (see generally id. ). Although petitioner contends that her testimony showed that members of the Town Board, who made the hiring decision, have an "anti-female bias," her testimony conflicted with the Town's proof and presented an issue of credibility to be resolved by the ALJ (see Matter of Berenhaus v. Ward, 70 N.Y.2d 436, 443–444, 522 N.Y.S.2d 478, 517 N.E.2d 193 ). We further conclude that there is substantial evidence to support the determination that petitioner was not subjected to a hostile work environment (see generally Matter of Bowler v. New York State Div. of Human
Rights, 77 A.D.3d 1380, 1381, 908 N.Y.S.2d 508, lv. denied 16 N.Y.3d 709, 2011 WL 1237547 ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the determination is unanimously confirmed without costs and the petition is dismissed.