Civil Service Employees Ass'n v. Tioga County
Petitioner Susan Vaziri-Cohen, a mental health nurse, was terminated from her employment with the Tioga County Mental Hygiene Department after five years. Charges of misconduct and incompetence were brought against her under Civil Service Law § 75, alleging falsification of agency records, repeated failure to follow work orders, and damaging remarks about her supervisor. A hearing officer found the charges proven and recommended dismissal, which was upheld by the Director of Community Services. Petitioner challenged this determination in a CPLR article 78 proceeding, arguing it lacked substantial evidence. The court found substantial direct and circumstantial evidence to support the findings of falsification, failure to follow directives, and inappropriate comments, and confirmed the penalty of dismissal.