Case Name: The People of the State of New York ex rel. Dominic Larocco, Petitioner, v. Warden et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 2011-03-24
Citations: 82 A.D.3d 604
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York ex rel. Dominic Larocco, Petitioner, v Warden et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 82
Pages: 604–605

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York ex rel. Dominic Larocco, Petitioner, v Warden et al., Respondents.
[919 NYS2d 328]

Opinion:
The determination that petitioner violated his parole by stalking and harassing the 17-year-old victim was supported by substantial evidence (see generally People ex rel. Vega v Smith, 66 NY2d 130, 139 [1985]). The hearing testimony established that the victim was frightened, annoyed and alarmed by petitioner's repeated conduct over a period of months, and petitioner's intent could be inferred from the surrounding circumstances (see Matter of Reiss v Reiss, 221 AD2d 280 [1995], lv denied 89 NY2d 801 [1996]). Respondent's decision to impose a 24-month time assessment rather than accept the administrative law judge's (AU) recommendation of an 18-month assessment was a provident exercise of discretion. The recommendation of the ALJ is advisory and not binding on respondent (see People ex rel. Coleman v Smith, 75 AD2d 706, 707 [1980], lv denied 50 NY2d 804 [1980]). Concur — Gonzalez, PJ., Catterson, Richter, Abdus-Salaam and Román, JJ.