Precious Bonaparte- Hunt, CSC Docket No. 2020-401

BackgroundThe appeal of Precious Bonaparte-Hunt, Human Services Specialist 3, Hudson County, Department of Family Services, 60 working day suspension, on charges, was heard by Administrative Law Judge Nanci G. Stokes, who rendered her initial decision on October 20, 2020. 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, the Civil Service Commission (Commission), at its meeting on November 24, 2020, accepted and adopted the Findings of Fact and Conclusion as contained in the attached Administrative Law Judge’s initial decision to modify the 60 working day suspension to a 30 working day suspension.

Since the penalty has been modified, the appellant is entitled to 30 days of back pay, benefits, and seniority, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10. However, the appellant is not entitled to counsel fees. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12(a), the award of counsel fees is appropriate only where an employee has prevailed on all or substantially all of the primary issues in an appeal of a major disciplinary action. The primary issue in any disciplinary appeal is the merits of the charges, not whether the penalty imposed was appropriate. See Johnny Walcott v. City of Plainfield, 282 N.J. Super. 121, 128 (App. Div. 1995); James L. Smith v. Department of Personnel, Docket No. A-1489-02T2 (App. Div. March 18, 2004); In the Matter of Robert Dean (MSB, decided January 12, 1993); In the Matter of Ralph Cozzino (MSB, decided September 21, 1989). In the case at hand, although the penalty was modified by the Commission, charges were sustained and major discipline was imposed. Thus, the appellant has not prevailed on all or substantially all of the primary issues of the appeal. Consequently, as the appellant has failed to meet the standard set forth at N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.12(a), counsel fees must be denied.

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 However, in light of the Appellate Division’s decision, Dolores Phillips v. Department of Corrections, unpublished, Docket No. A-5581-01T2F (App.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 are finally resolved.

ORDER

The Civil Service Commission finds that the action of the appointing authority in disciplining the appellant was justified. The Commission therefore modifies the 60 working day suspension to a 380 working day suspension. The Commission further orders that appellant be granted 30 days of back pay, benefits, and seniority. The amount of back pay awarded is to be reduced and mitigated as set forth in N.J.A.C. 4A:2-2.10. 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.

Counsel fees are denied pursuant to N.d.A.C. 4A:2-2.12.

The parties must inform the Commission, in writing, if there is any dispute as to back pay 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 shall be pursued in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.