Court Opinion

ID: 5829421
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-12 21:47:43.396963+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:43:24.226157
License: Public Domain

Memorandum:
Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding seeking to annul the determination, made after a hearing pursuant to Civil Service Law § 75, to terminate his *1299employment as a recreational specialist for respondent. According to petitioner, the determination is not supported by substantial evidence (see CPLR 7803 [4]), and he further contends that the penalty of termination constitutes an abuse of discretion (see CPLR 7803 [3]). Upon our review of the record, we conclude that substantial evidence supports the determination that petitioner, whose duties involved extensive contact with children and who had been notified that he was required to act as a role model for them, committed misconduct within the meaning of Civil Service Law § 75 by selling an alcoholic beverage to a minor in violation of Penal Law § 260.20 (2) (see generally 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v State Div. of Human Rights, 45 NY2d 176, 180-181 [1978]). Furthermore, the penalty of termination is not so disproportionate to the offense, in light of all of the circumstances, as to shock one’s sense of fairness (see Matter of Pell v Board of Educ. of Union Free School Dist. No. 1 of Towns of Scarsdale & Mamaroneck, Westchester County, 34 NY2d 222, 234-235 [1974]; see also Matter of Scahill v Greece Cent. School Dist., 2 NY3d 754 [2004]). Present — Scudder, PJ., Smith, Garni, Lindley and Martoche, JJ.