Michael Gorski, CSC Docket No. 2021-1701

BackgroundThe appeal of Michael Gorski, County Correctional Police Lieutenant, Mercer County, Department of Corrections, fine equal to a 15 working day suspension!, on charges, was heard by Administrative Law Judge David M. Fritch, who rendered his initial decision on September 23, 2022. Exceptions were filed on behalf of the appellant and a reply to exceptions was filed on behalf of the appointing authority.

AnalysisHaving considered the record and the ALd’s initial decision, including a thorough review of the exceptions and reply, and having made an independent evaluation of the record, the Civil Service Commission (Commission), at its meeting of November 2, 2022, accepted and adopted the Findings of Fact and Conclusion as contained in the attached ALJ’s initial decision.

ORDER

The Civil Service Commission finds that the action of the appointing authority in fining the appellant was justified. The Commission therefore affirms that action and dismisses the appeal of Michael Gorski.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.

1 The Commission notes that the ALJ indicated a “25 working day suspension” on page one of the initial decision, and thereafter, referred to a 15 working day suspension. The actual initial penalty imposed on the appellant by the appointing authority was a fine equal to a 15 working day suspension. As such, the reference on page one of the initial decision was a typographical error and, as indicated by the Commission in this decision, the actual penalty imposed and upheld is a fine equal to a 15 working day suspension.