Gelin v. Perales
This case concerns an appeal by the Nassau County Commissioner of Social Services from a Supreme Court judgment in a CPLR article 78 proceeding. The proceeding was initiated by Octoleme Gelin to compel compliance with determinations from the New York State Commissioner of Social Services, which had reversed denials of public assistance applications. The Supreme Court directed the local Commissioner to redetermine Gelin's financial eligibility and awarded attorney's fees. On appeal, the court found the local agency's contention of compliance meritless regarding eligibility determination. However, the appellate court ruled that the award of attorney's fees under 42 USC § 1988 was erroneous because the petitioner's federal claim, based on 45 CFR 205.10 (a) (16), was found to be insubstantial and failed the Gibbs test.