Legal Document

522 U.S. 262118 S.Ct. 753139 L.Ed.2d 695 Janice R. LaCHANCE, Acting Director, Office of Personnel Management, Petitioner,v.Lester E. ERICKSON, Jr., et al. No. 96-1395. Supreme Court the United States Argued Dec. 2, 1997. Decided Jan. 21, 1998.** Syllabus * Respondents, federal employees subject to adverse actions by their agencies, each made false statements agency investigators with respect misconduct which they were charged. In case, additionally charged statement as a ground for action, and action taken against employee was based in part on added charge. The Merit Systems Protection Board (Board) upheld that portion penalty underlying charge, but overturned portion, ruling, inter alia, claimed could not be considered setting appropriate punishment. separate appeals, Federal Circuit agreed no denial claim. Held: Neither Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause nor Civil Service Reform Act, 5 U.S.C. §1101 seq., precludes from sanctioning an making regarding his alleged employment-related misconduct. It is impossible square result reached below holding in, e.g., Bryson v. States, 396 64, 72, 90 355, 360, 24 264, citizen may decline answer Government question, or it honestly, cannot impunity knowingly willfully falsehood. There hint right falsely deny conduct §7513(a), authorizes impose sort penalties involved here "for such cause will promote efficiency service,'' then accords four carefully delineated procedural rights-advance written notice charges, reasonable time answer, legal representation, specific decision. Nor can found due process, core meaningful opportunity heard. Even assuming respondents had protected property interest employment, this rejects, both basis precedent principle, Circuit's view "meaningful heard'' includes make conduct. well established criminal defendant's testify does include commit perjury, Nix Whiteside, 475 157, 173, 106 988, 997, 89 123, punishment constitutionally imposed, Wong, 431 174, 178, 97 1823, 1825-1826, 52 231, enhanced, Dunnigan, 507 87, 97, 113 1111, 1118, 122 445, because perjury filing affidavit required statute, Dennis 384 855, 86 1840, 16 973. fact under oath irrelevant, since during investigation, charge require sworn statements. Moreover, any claim allowed might coerced into admitting misconduct, whether believe are guilty not, order avoid more severe removal falsification entirely frivolous. Grayson, 438 41, 55, 98 2610, 2618, 57 582. If answering agency's investigatory question expose prosecution, he exercise Amendment remain silent. See, Hale Henkel, 201 43, 67, 26 370, 376, 50 L.Ed. 652. An agency, ascertaining truth falsity take failure respond consideration, see Baxter Palmigiano, 425 308, 318, 96 1551, 1558, 47 810, there nothing inherently irrational about investigative posture, Konigsberg State Bar Cal., 366 36, 81 6 105. Pp. ___-___. F.3d 1575 (C.A.Fed.1996) (first judgment), 92 1208 (second reversed. REHNQUIST, C.J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Seth P. Waxman, Washington, DC, petitioner. Paul Marth, Greeensboro, NC, respondents. Chief Justice REHNQUIST 1 presented case either Act (CSRA), employee. We hold do not. 2 Respondents Walsh, Erickson, Kye, Barrett, Roberts, McManus government who various agencies worked. Each separately appealed them (Board). further held employee's used purposes impeaching credibility, Finally, report act fraud when reporting would tend implicate 3 Director Management these decisions Appeals Circuit. consolidated appeal involving cases court King (1996). Citing Clause, "an similar another facts relating other charge,'' " [d]enials charges related . determining penalty.'' Id., at 1585. unpublished decision, affirmed Board's reversal conclusion "false considered'' even impeachment. Department Justice, 66 M.S.P.R. 564, 568 (1995). 4 granted certiorari cases, 521 ----, 117 2506, 138 1011 (1997), now reverse. 264 (1969), we said: "Our system provides methods challenging Government's ask questions-lying one them. A falsehood.'' S.Ct., 360 (footnote omitted). find present our import. Title §7513(a) service.'' sets forth rights accorded whom proposed. must: (1) give "at least 30 days' advance notice''; (2) allow "a time, less than 7 days, orally writing furnish evidence support answer''; (3) permit "be represented attorney representative''; (4) provide decision reasons therefor.'' §7513(b). "put its proof'' denying Such right, then, if exists all, must come Constitution. 8 [n]o person shall deprived life, liberty, property, without process law .'' Const., Amend. V. stated "it undisputed employment,'' F.3d, 1581, assume 9 Cleveland Bd. Ed. Loudermill, 470 532, 542, 105 1487, 1493, 84 494 (1985). But reject, expressed 10 perjury. 123 (1986); Havens, 446 620, 626, 100 1912, 1916, 64 559 (1980); 54, 2617-2618, 582 (1978). Indeed, 445 (1993), could, consistent Constitution, enhance sentence finding perjured himself trial. 11 Witnesses appearing before grand jury likewise truthfully, pain being prosecuted 231 (1977). said "the predicament forced choose between incriminatory falsehood justify perjury.'' 1826. Similarly, files statute fined imprisoned. 973 (1966). 12 sought distinguish defendants been oath, while course, negates brought They course oath. While apparently imposition former latter, fail how presence absence material inquiry. 13 also relied fear statements, possibly resulting charge.'' App. Pet. Cert. 16a-17a. rejected sentencing judge took consideration belief defendant testified argued us practice inhibit truthfully proceeding. described contention "entirely frivolous.'' 2618. 14 See 652 (1906); Ward, 448 242, 248, 2636, 2641, 65 742 (1980). respond. 810 (1976) (discussing "prevailing rule forbid inferences parties civil refuse testify''). posture. (1961). 15 For reasons, response judgments therefore Reversed. ** Together LaChance, al., same court. syllabus constitutes has prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Timber & Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 499.

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