BenchNOTES - March 2015

Last Month's OATH Decisions

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Personnel

Correction officer had inappropriate relationship with minor.

 ALJ Alessandra F. Zorgniotti found that a correction officer had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a minor.   Dep't of Correction v. Campos, OATH Index No. 1227/15 (Mar. 23, 2015).

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Prevailing Wage

ALJ recommends City riggers be paid like private millwrights.

Carpenters union sought a determination from the Comptroller of the prevailing wages and benefits to be paid to City workers in eight civil service titles. The Comptroller conducted an investigation and made preliminary determinations of the trade classifications for each title.   Office of the Comptroller v. Office of Labor Relations, OATH Index No. 2445/14 (Mar. 5, 2015).

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Practice and Procedure

Informal, speedy discovery encouraged by OATH rules.

In disciplinary proceedings at OATH, some parties engage in informal discovery, although OATH rules of practice provide broad guidelines for discovery practices. When a party fails to respond to discovery demands, the opposing party should make a pre-trial motion to compel production to the trial judge as soon as possible.   Dep't of Correction v. Bolanos, OATH Index No. 853/15 (Mar. 19, 2015).

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Vehicle Retention

Car owner showed he was an innocent owner.

The police department seized a car in connection with the driver's arrest for gun possession and other charges. The car owner, who is the driver's father, sought return of the car as an innocent owner. ALJ Astrid B. Gloade ruled for the owner.   Police Dep't v. Nickey, OATH Index No. 1826/15, mem. dec. (Mar. 12, 2015).

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Human Rights Law

Tenants are entitled to keep their emotional support dogs.

Housing cooperative was charged with discriminating against two tenants based on their disability by failing to waive no-dog rule to permit the tenants to keep their dog, who they contend is a companion or emotional support animal.    Comm'n on Human Rights ex rel. Carol T. v. Mutual Apartments, Inc., OATH Index No. 2399/14 (Mar. 13, 2015).

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Licensing

Cab driver penalized for slapping passenger's hand.

Taxi driver was charged with hitting passenger's hand several times, cursing at and threatening the passenger. The complaint arose out of a disagreement over the route.   Taxi & Limousine Comm'n v. Hossen, OATH Index No. 721/15 (Mar. 9, 2015), adopted, Comm'r Dec. (Apr. 8, 2015).

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Real Property

Motion to file answer denied.

In a Loft Law coverage case, the applicants reached an agreement with the owner to withdraw the application with prejudice. A non-applicant who leased a unit with one of the applicants, but was out of possession, moved to file an answer.    Matter of Fiscina, OATH Index No. 357/15 (Mar. 16, 2015).

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