Court Opinion

ID: 9945537
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-27 21:10:21.06602+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:25:31.582758
License: Public Domain

Matter of Rahman v City of New York
               2024 NY Slip Op 30551(U)
                   February 21, 2024
           Supreme Court, New York County
         Docket Number: Index No. 160076/22
              Judge: J. Machelle Sweeting
Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip
 Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York
 State and local government sources, including the New
  York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service.
 This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official
                       publication.
  FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/21/2024 04:58 PM                                                  INDEX NO. 160076/2022
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 31                                                                          RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2024

            SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
            COUNTY OF NEW YORK:                                IAS PART 62
            x-------------------------------------------------------------------x
            In the Matter of the Application of
            HAFIZUR RAHMAN,
                                                           Petitioner,
                                     -against-                                          Index No. 160076/22
                                                                                        DECISION AND
                                                                                        ORDER ON MOTION #001
            THE CITY OF NEW YORK, THE CITY OF NEW YORK
            DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION, LOUIS A. MOLINA,
            as Commissioner of the City of New York Department of
            Correction,
                                                   Respondents.
            x-----------------------------------------------------------------------x
            HON. J. MACHELLE SWEETING, A.J.S.C.:
                    Petitioner brings this Article 78 proceeding, seeking a judgment declaring the actions of

            respondents are in violation of Section 75 of the Civil Service Law (CSL), Rule 5.7.4. of the

            Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City of New York (CRR), Section 8-107 et sec. of the

            New York Administrative Code (Code) and Section 290 et sec. of the New York Executive Law

            (EL); declaring that the actions of respondents are arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and

            illegal; annulling respondents’ determination to demote petitioner and reinstating him to his

            prior permanent position; awarding petitioner actual damages to be determined at trial, including

            back pay and benefits from July 28, 2022, including the date of his reinstatement; awarding

            Petitioner compensatory damages for mental and emotional distress; awarding petitioner punitive

            damages; enjoining respondents from further negative actions; and awarding petitioner pre- and

            post-judgment interest and reasonable attorney’s fees.

                                                                                                      Page 1 of 6

                                                                 1 of 6
[* 1]
  FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/21/2024 04:58 PM                                                   INDEX NO. 160076/2022
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 31                                                                         RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2024

                                                           FACTS

                   Petitioner alleges as follows: Petitioner is an employee of respondents The City of New

            York (NYC) and The City of New York Department of Correction (DOC). He previously held

            the permanent position of Captain until September 4, 2020, when he was promoted to the

            position of Assistant Deputy Warden. Petitioner completed his one-year probationary period as

            of September 4, 2021. He claims that, as of that date, he held a permanent position as Assistant

            Deputy Warden.

                   On April 7, 2022, petitioner suffered a severe heart attack. He underwent heart surgery

            and was diagnosed with coronary heart disease. While on sick leave and recovering from his

            heart condition, he received a letter from DOC, dated July 28, 2022, that he was to be demoted

            back to his Captain position. Petitioner states that he was given no reason for his demotion.

            He also states that he was not allowed a hearing, pursuant to section 75 of CSL, to which all

            permanent employees are entitled.

                   Petitioner brings this Article 78 to annul this demotion, on the ground that it violates

            section 75 and other laws, and is arbitrary and capricious. Petitioner also argues that he is a

            victim of discrimination due to his present physical impairment, race and gender. He claims that

            this is a retaliation for his taking off sick leave. He states that he is presently the only Asian-

            American male employed as a permanent Assistant Deputy Warden in the DOC.

                                                                                                        Page 2 of 6

                                                           2 of 6
[* 2]
  FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/21/2024 04:58 PM                                              INDEX NO. 160076/2022
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 31                                                                      RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2024

                   Petitioner also seeks to be reinstated as a permanent Assistant Deputy Warden and seeks

            various damages, plus reasonable attorney’s fees.

                   In opposition, respondents argue that petitioner is not a permanent Assistant Deputy

            Warden and is not entitled to a hearing under Section 75. They contend that as a provisional

            employee, he can be demoted without cause or an explanation. According to them, petitioner’s

            demotion without a hearing is proper unless the demotion was in bad faith, for a constitutionally

            impermissible or illegal purpose or in violation of statutory or decisional law.

                   Respondents contend that the demotion was not in bad faith. They submit evidence

            which shows how petitioner acted improperly in his position on several occasions. First, on

            January 6, 2021, petitioner failed to properly supervise a Captain who engaged in irregular

            conduct with an inmate. Second, on August 12, 2021, petitioner failed to follow orders to

            collect and upload reports to the Case Management Systems related to an incident which

            occurred when he was on duty. Third, petitioner failed to report for duty on ten occasions

            between February 6 and February 17, 2022. Respondents state that petitioner’s demotion was

            based on these actions, which were adequate indications that he was not performing his duties in

            a satisfactory manner.

                                                                                                   Page 3 of 6

                                                          3 of 6
[* 3]
  FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/21/2024 04:58 PM                                                   INDEX NO. 160076/2022
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 31                                                                         RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2024

                      Regarding petitioner’s claim of retaliatory action, respondents argue that no protective

            activity occurred. They assert that even though petitioner did not receive notice of demotion

            until over three months after his latest improper conduct cited, this in itself is not sufficient

            grounds for a claim of retaliation. As for claims of discrimination, respondents argue that

            petitioner has not adequately shown a clear inference of discrimination based on his race and

            gender.

                      In reply, petitioner argues that he completed his one-year probational period and is a

            permanent Assistant Deputy Warden, and that he is entitled to a hearing prior to any demotion.

            He contends that his demotion was retaliatory because respondents chose to demote him after

            he exercised his right to take sick leave to recover from a heart attack. He claims to be a victim

            of discrimination because non Asian- American women were not demoted on similar grounds.

            Petitioner states that respondents failed to submit performance reviews for him during his

            tenure as Assistant Deputy Warden indicating the quality of his work.

                                                                                                         Page 4 of 6

                                                            4 of 6
[* 4]
  FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/21/2024 04:58 PM                                                        INDEX NO. 160076/2022
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 31                                                                             RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2024

                                                 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
                   This proceeding is brought by petitioner pursuant to CPLR 7803 (3), on the ground that a

            determination was made in violation of lawful procedure, was affected by an error of law or

            was arbitrary and capricious or an abuse of discretion. Petitioner asserts that he is a permanent

            employee because he served his one-year probationary term. He contends that his probationary

            term was not extended for any reason, and he is entitled to a hearing before any attempt at

            demotion by respondents. In their papers, respondents do not discuss petitioner’s claim that he

            was a permanent Assistant Deputy Warden.

                   Section 11, 5.2.1(a) of Tile 55, Appendix A of the Rules and Regulations of the City of

            New York provides as follows:

                           Every appointment and promotion to a position in the competitive or labor class shall be for a
                           prohibitionary period of one year unless otherwise set forth in the terms and conditions of the
                           certification for appointment and promotion as determined by the commissioner of citywide
                           administrative services.

                   Petitioner argues that he was appointed Assistant Deputy Warden on September 4, 2020.

            It is not disputed that he was part of a competitive class and that the one-year period was

            applicable to the position. Respondents failed to address this issue in any way, which indicates

            that they are not challenging this claim as made by petitioner. Indeed, respondents have not

            offered any explanation as to why petitioner is not entitled to permanent status.

                   In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, this court finds that petitioner is a

            permanent employee and is entitled to a hearing pursuant to Article 57. Respondents are

                                                                                                              Page 5 of 6

                                                             5 of 6
[* 5]
  FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 02/21/2024 04:58 PM                                                INDEX NO. 160076/2022
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 31                                                                        RECEIVED NYSCEF: 02/21/2024

            required to hold a hearing at which petitioner can present his claims, including those alleging

            retaliation and discrimination, before the DOC.

                    For all the aforementioned reasons, it is hereby:
                    ORDERED that this petition is granted to the extent that the determination by

            respondent The New York City Department of Correction, dated July 28, 2022, demoting

            petitioner to the position of Captain is stayed pending a hearing pursuant to Section 75 of the

            New York Civil Service Law. Such hearing shall be scheduled by said respondent.

                    2/21/2024                                                             $SIG$

                      DATE                                                  J. MACHELLE SWEETING, J.S.C.

             CHECK ONE:               X   CASE DISPOSED                 NON-FINAL DISPOSITION

                                      X   GRANTED             DENIED    GRANTED IN PART             OTHER

             APPLICATION:                 SETTLE ORDER                  SUBMIT ORDER

             CHECK IF APPROPRIATE:        INCLUDES TRANSFER/REASSIGN    FIDUCIARY APPOINTMENT       REFERENCE

                                                                                                     Page 6 of 6

                                                           6 of 6
[* 6]