***Recent Developments in Charging Law and Substantive Offenses***

Samuel A. Vitaro

**1. Framing Charges**

a\. The Focus on Notice

*Mason v. Navy* , 70 MSPR 584 (1996)

*Otero v. USPS* , 73 MSPR 198 (1997)

*Alexander v. DOJ* *\*\*(*4/7/98*), available from MSPB web site*

b\. A Less Legalistic Analysis: Approval of General‑Label Charges

*Otero v. USPS* , 73 MSPR 198 (1997)

*LaChance v. MSPB* (Crouse), 147 F.3d 1367 (Fed. Cir. 1998)

c\. The Risk in General‑Label Charges

*Caronia v. DOJ*, 78 MSPR 201 (1998)

d\. Continued Loosening

*Robb v. DOD*, 77 MSPR 130 (1998)

*Els v. Army*, 82 MSPR 27 (1999)

*Picariello v. USPS*, 80 MSPR 126 (1998)

*James v. Air Force* , 73 MSPR 300 (1997)

*Hawkins v. Smithsonian*, 73 MSPR 397 (1997)

*Acree v. Treasury*, 80 MSPR 73 (1998)

e\. Allowing Flexibility in Structuring Charges

*Schifano v. DVA*, 70 MSPR 275 (1996)

f\. But Still Scrutinizing the Wording of the Charge

> *Jaramillo v. Army*, 81 MSPR 469 (1999)

*Hanna v. DOL*, 80 MSPR 294 (1998)

*Mann v. DHHS* , 78 MSPR 1 (1998)

*Caronia v. DOJ*, 78 MSPR 201 (1998)

*Acox v.USPS* , 76 MSPR 111 (1997)

g\. Endorsing Alternatives to Intent Charges

*McCarty v. Navy* , 67 MSPR 177 (1995)

*Mesberg v. USDA*, No. 99‑3022 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (NP\*)

*Mann v. DHHS*, 78 MSPR 1 (1998)

h\. Having It Both Ways: A Reduced Charge Burden with More Bang in
Penalty ?

*Hamilton v. USPS*, 71 MSPR 547 (1996)

**2. Proving Charges**

a\. Insubordination v. Failure to Follow Orders

*Hamilton v. USPS*, 71 MSPR 547 (1996)

*Botto v. USPS*, 75 MSPR 471 (1997)

*Haebe v. DOJ*, 81 MSPR 167 (1999)

*Eichner v. USPS*, 83 MSPR 202 (1999)

b\. Falsification

No right to lie or falsely deny during an investigation

*LaChance v. Erickson*, 118 S.Ct. 753 (1998)

*Brogan v. U.S*., 118 S.Ct. 805 (1998)

Lying on Application Charges / Douglas Still Applies

*Perez v. USPS* , 75 MSPR 503 (1997)

*McComb v. USPS*, No. 99‑3077 (Fed. Cir. 1999)(NP\*)

Many Distinctions for Penalty Purposes

*Perez v. USPS* , 75 MSPR 503 (1997)

*McComb v. USPS*, No. 99‑3077 (Fed. Cir. 1999)(NP\*)

*Robertson v. DOJ*, 81 MSPR 658 (1999)

*House v. USPS*, 80 MSPR 138 (1998)

c\. Physical Inability to Perform

*Spencer v. Navy*, 73 MSPR 15 (1997)

*Yates v. USPS*, 70 MSPR 172 (1996)

*Schrodt v. USPS,* 79 MSPR 609 (1998)

d\. Vehicle Misuse

*Kimm v. Treasury* , 61 F.3d 888 (Fed. Cir. 1995)

*Chufo v. Interior*, 45 F.3d 419 (Fed.Cir. 1995)

*Fischer v. Treasury*, 69 MSPR 614 (1996)

e\. Threats

AThreats\" During Counseling

*Powell v. DOJ*, 73 MSPR 29 (1997)

*Larry II v. DOJ*, 73 MSPR 348 (1997)

See also *Daigle v. DVA,* 84 MSPR 625 (1999)

Strict Application of Metz

*Castner v. USPS*, 77 MSPR 393 (1998)

The Way to Prove a Threat Charge

*Shaw v. Air Force*, 80 MSPR 98 (1998)

f\. Attendance

More AExcessive Leave\" Charges

*Allen v. Army* , 76 MSPR 564 (1997)

*Cole v. DVA* , 77 MSPR 434 (1998)

*Holderness v. DCA*, 75 MSPR 401 (1997)

Family and Medical Leave Act Claims

*Burge v. Air Force*, 82 MSPR 75 (1999)

*Ramey v. USPS*, 70 MSPR 463 (1996)

*Crutchfield v. Navy*, 73 MSPR 444 (1997)

*Ellshoff v. Interior*, 76 MSPR 54 (1997)

*Joos v. Treasury*, 74 MSPR 684 (1997)

*Gross v. DOJ*, 77 MSPR 83 (1997)

*Haire v. USPS*, No. 97 ‑ 3262 (Fed. Cir. 1997)(NP\*)

*Gardner v. USPS*, 79 MSPR 256 (1998)

*Jefferies v. Navy*, 78 MSPR 255 (1998)

*Young v. USPS*, 79 MSPR 25 (1998)

Sick Leave and Incapacitation

*House v. USPS*, 80 MSPR 138 (1998)

g\. Failure To Cooperate in an Agency Investigation

*Milner v. DOJ,* 77 MSPR 37 (1997)

h\. Theft / Conversion

Charging a violation of a statute

*Mann v. DHHS* , 78 MSPR 1 (1998)

AMens rea\" as an element of theft

*Peck v. DOD*, 75 MSPR 244 (1997)

i\. Sexual Harassment

The reasonable woman standard

*Special Counsel v. Eubanks* , 76 MSPR 405 (1997)

The double presumption: hostile environment, nexus

*Pope v. USPS*, 114 F.3d 1144 (Fed.Cir. 1997)

j\. Unauthorized Use of Government Property

*Buniff v. Agriculture* , 79 MSPR 118 (1998)

k\. Conviction

*Czubinski v. Treasury*, 76 MSPR 552 (1997)

*Pawn v. USDA*, 82 MSPR 284 (1999)

l\. Performance / Chapter 75

*Shorey v. Army*, 77 MSPR 239 (1998)

*Vidal v. USPS* , 143 F.3d 145 (Fed. Cir. 1998)