Ryan Lopez Ann Klein Forensic Center, CSC Docket No. 2017-3264

BackgroundThe appeal of Ryan Lopez, Senior Medical Security Officer, Ann Klein Forensic Center, Department of Health, removal effective April 10, 2017, on charges, was heard by Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey N. Rabin, who rendered his initial decision on June 5, 2019 reversing the removal. Exceptions were filed on behalf of the appointing authority and a reply to exceptions was filed on behalf of the appellant.

AnalysisHaving considered the record and the Administrative Law Judge’s initial decision, and having made an independent evaluation of the record, including a thorough review of the exceptions filed by both parties and reply filed by the appellant, the Civil Service Commission (Commission), at its meeting on July 9, 2019, accepted and adopted the Findings of Fact and Conclusion as contained in the attached Administrative Law Judge’s initial decision.

Since the charges have been dismissed, the appellant is entitled to mitigated back pay, benefits, and seniority and reasonable counsel fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10 and N.eJA.C. 4A:2-2.12.

This decision resolves the merits of the dispute between the parties concerning the disciplinary charges and the penalty imposed by the appointing authority. However, in light of the Appellate Division’s decision, Dolores Phillips v. Depariment of Corrections, Docket No. A-5581-01T2F (App. Div. Feb. 26, 2003), the Commission's decision will not become final until any outstanding issues concerning back pay or counsel fees are finally resolved. In the interim, as the court states in Phillips, supra, if it has not already done so, upon receipt of this decision, the appointing authority shall immediately reinstate the appellant to his permanent position.

ORDER

The Civil Service Commission finds that the action of the appointing authority in removing the appellant was not justified. The Commission therefore reverses that action and grants the appeal of Ryan Lopez. The Commission further orders that appellant be granted back pay, benefits, and seniority from April 10, 2017 to the actual date of reinstatement. The amount of back pay awarded is to be reduced and mitigated as provided for in N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10. Proof of income earned and an affidavit of mitigation shall be submitted by or on behalf of the appellant to the appointing authority within 30 days of issuance of this decision.

The Commission further orders that counsel fees be awarded to the attorney for appellant pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12. An affidavit of services in support of reasonable counsel fees shall be submitted by or on behalf of the appellant to the appointing authority within 30 days of issuance of this decision. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A4:2-2.10 and N.J.A.C, 4A:2-2.12, the parties shall make a good faith effort to resolve any dispute as to the amount of back pay and counsel fees. However, under no circumstances should the appellant’s reinstatement be delayed pending resolution of any potential back pay or counsel fee dispute.

The parties must inform the Commission, in writing, if there is any dispute as to back pay and counsel fees within 60 days of issuance of this decision. In the absence of such notice, the Commission will assume that all outstanding issues have been amicably resolved by the parties and this decision shall become a final administrative determination pursuant to R. 2:2-3(a)(2). After such time, any further review of this matter shal] be pursued in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.