Opinion ID: 2758606
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Removal and Mitigating Circumstances

Text: Mr. Wyrick argues the Board did not consider mitigating factors when evaluating his removal, such as his alcoholism, his eighteen years of service to the Agency, his performance record, and the fact that he had never been disciplined in his job other than by Mr. Waterman. Pet’r’s Br. 4. Ultimately, Mr. Wyrick argues “the evidence relied upon does not support a removal.” Id. To establish an affirmative defense of disability discrimination due to alcoholism, an appellant must show (1) 8 WYRICK v. TRANSPORTATION “he suffers from an addiction,” and (2) “that the addiction caused the misconduct.” Avant v. Dep’t of the Navy, 60 M.S.P.R. 467, 476 (1994). The AJ determined Mr. Wyrick did not provide any evidence regarding his alcohol addiction or any treatment and that, even if he had, mitigation due to alcoholism is “outweighed by the seriousness of the offenses in relation to [Mr. Wyrick’s] position, his prior disciplinary record, and the fact that there is no reason to conclude that [Mr. Wyrick’s] failure to be fully truthful was caused by his use of alcohol.” Resp’t’s App. 42; see Huettner v. Dep’t of the Army, 54 M.S.P.R. 472, 475 (1992) (holding a defense of alcoholism was outweighed by the serious[ness] of the offense and the appellant’s prior disciplinary record). “It is a well-established rule of civil service law that the penalty for employee misconduct is left to the sound discretion of the agency.” Miguel v. Dep’t of Army, 727 F.2d 1081, 1083 (Fed. Cir. 1984). The AJ considered the mitigating factors and reasonably determined the offense was serious enough to uphold Mr. Wyrick’s removal, and the Board’s affirmance was not an abuse of discretion.