In the Matter of Jesse R. Hughes, Respondent v. Suffolk County Department of Civil Service, Respondent, and Town of…

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division and reinstated the respondent’s determination, holding that the petitioner failed to demonstrate bias of the hearing officer and that a claim of improper appointment under Civil Service Law § 72 was not raised at the agency level. The Court affirmed that an administrative hearing must be conducted by an unbiased officer and that bias must be supported by record evidence and causation.