Arriaga v. Smith

Proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 (transferred to this Court by order of the Supreme Court, entered in Ulster County) to review a determination of respondent Superintendent of Shawangunk Correctional Facility which found petitioner guilty of violating certain prison disciplinary rules. Petitioner was charged in a misbehavior report with theft of state property and smuggling after a search of his personal bag as he left the facility kitchen uncovered over two pounds of sliced turkey and nine slices of bread. Following a tier II disciplinary hearing, petitioner was found guilty of both charges. The determination was affirmed on administrative appeal and this CPLR article 78 proceeding ensued. We confirm. To the extent that petitioner challenges the evidentiary basis of the determination, we conclude that the misbehavior report, together with the hearing testimony of its author, provide substantial evidence supporting the determination of guilt (see Matter of Roye v Goord, 34 AD3d 1134 [2006]). Further, the misbehavior report was sufficient to apprise petitioner of the charges against him and he has demonstrated no prejudice in preparing a defense from any alleged errors in the report regarding the location of the search or the date of service (see Matter of Linares v Fischer, 59 AD3d 761 [2009], lv denied 12 NY3d 709 [2009]). Petitioner’s contention that the bag containing the food did not belong to him presented a credibility issue for the Hearing Officer to resolve (see Matter of Cruz v Fischer, 57 AD3d 1055 [2008]). Finally, we find no support in the record for petitioner’s claim that the Hearing Officer was biased or that the determination flowed from any bias (see Matter of Warren v Fischer, 63 AD3d 1466, 1467 [2009]). We have examined petitioner’s remaining contentions and, to the extent preserved, find them to be unavailing. 1161 Peters, J.P., Rose, Lahtinen, Kavanagh and McCarthy, JJ., concur. Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.