Case Name: In the Matter of the Claim of Harold T. Mantel, Appellant. Philip Ross, as Industrial Commissioner, Respondent
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1979-01-18
Citations: 67 A.D.2d 786
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of the Claim of Harold T. Mantel, Appellant. Philip Ross, as Industrial Commissioner, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 67
Pages: 786–788

Head Matter:
In the Matter of the Claim of Harold T. Mantel, Appellant. Philip Ross, as Industrial Commissioner, Respondent.

Opinion:
— Appeal from a decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board, filed August 15, 1977, which affirmed the decision of a referee sustaining the initial determination of the Industrial Commissioner holding claimant ineligible to receive benefits effective October 27, 1975 because he was not totally unemployed and was not available for employment and charging him with a recoverable overpayment of $4,655 in benefits and holding that claimant made willful false statements to obtain benefits for which a forfeiture of 80 effective days was imposed. During the period in issue the claimant and his wife each owned 50% of the stock of four corporations and the claimant was the president of each and concededly ran each of the four businesses. The record discloses that the businesses produced some $50,000 in income during this time and that claimant participated in numerous and varied activities in behalf of the corporations. In spite of this claimant consistently indicated, when certifying for benefits each week, that he had done no work during the week previous and when originally applying for benefits stated that he had no business and was engaged in no activity likely to produce any income. The claimant contends on appeal that he disclosed his corporate ownership and all of his activities at the time of his interview and that he was advised that he was eligible for benefits. He further contends that he conducted a diligent search for employment and that he was available at all times and made no willful misrepresentation. Our review of the records dictates the conclusion that the board's decision is supported by substantial evidence and must be affirmed. Claimant's own affidavit of March 9, 1977 states that he spent a few hours each day for seven days a week each week attending to his corporate duties. In addition, it is fair to conclude that considerable effort is required to produce $50,000 in income. Whether one is totally unemployed and whether he is available are factual determinations for the board and, since its determinations on those issues are supported by substantial evidence, they should be affirmed (Matter of De Vivo (Levine], 51 AD2d 619; Matter of Kirchoff [Levine], 50 AD2d 697). Lastly, it is well settled that the issue of willful misrepresentation by an unemployment insurance claimant is a question of fact and the decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board thereon, if supported by substantial evidence, should not be disturbed (Matter of Bomwell [Levine], 49 AD2d 790). While claimant concededly did make some disclosure as to his corporate interests, an issue arises as to whether a full and complete disclosure, one which would enable the local office to make a proper determination, was presented. "It is the responsibility of all claimants to make a full and complete disclosure of all pertinent facts which might be determinative of their rights to benefits". (Matter of Marder [Catherwood], 16 AD2d 303, 306.) Comparison of the claimant's testimony, his affidavit and his summary of interview discloses discrepencies which afford a basis for the board's determination of willfulness and claimant's version of what he was told by the interviewer presented an issue of credibility for the board (cf. Matter of Styres [Levine], 49 AD2d 987). Since the board's determinations are supported by substantial evidence, its decision must be affirmed. Decision affirmed, without costs. Greenblott, J. P., Staley, Jr., Main and Herlihy, JJ., concur.