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Leippe v. Gerald J. Wilkoff, Inc.

157 A.D.3d 797 Court N.Y. App. Div. Decision date 2018-01-17 English

Judges Mastro, J.P., Hall, Sgroi and Duffy, JJ., concur.

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p. 797
In the Matter of Patricia R. Leippe, Petitioner, v Gerald J. Wilkoff, Inc., et al., Respondents.
[66 NYS3d 918]

Proceeding pursuant to Executive Law § 298 to review a determination of the Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights dated July 9, 2013. The determination adopted the recommendation of an administrative law judge, made after a hearing, dismissing the petitioner’s complaint against the respondents Gerald J. Wilkoff, Inc., and Gerald J. Wilkoff.

Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, the petition is denied, and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, with costs.

In July 2011, the petitioner filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights (hereinafter the SDHR) against her former employer, Gerald J. Wilkoff, Inc., and her former coworker, Gerald J. Wilkoff, alleging, inter alia, that she was subjected to a hostile work environment and constructively discharged from her employment because of her sex. After a public hearing, an administrative law judge recommended that the complaint be dismissed. Thereafter, the Commissioner of the SDHR (hereinafter the Commissioner) adopted that recommendation, and dismissed the complaint. The petitioner subsequently commenced this proceeding pursuant to Executive Law § 298 to review the Commissioner’s determination.

p. 798
The scope of judicial review under the Human Rights Law is extremely narrow and is confined to the consideration of whether the determination of the SDHR is supported by substantial evidence in the record (see Rainer N. Mittl, Ophthalmologist, P.C. v New York State Div. of Human Rights, 100 NY2d 326 , 331 [2003]; Matter of State Div. of Human Rights [Granelle], 70 NY2d 100 , 106 [1987]). Substantial evidence “means such relevant proof as a reasonable mind may accept as adequate to support a conclusion or ultimate fact . . . More than seeming or imaginary, it is less than a preponderance of the evidence, overwhelming evidence or evidence beyond a reasonable doubt” (300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v State Div. of Human Rights, 45 NY2d 176 , 180-181 [1978] [citations omitted]; see Matter of Briggs v New York State Div. of Human Rights, 142 AD3d 663 , 664 [2016]). “Courts may not weigh the evidence or reject [the SDHR’s] determination where the evidence is conflicting and room for choice exists” (Matter of State Div. of Human Rights [Granelle], 70 NY2d at 106 ). Here, there is substantial evidence in the record to support the Commissioner’s determination that the petitioner was not subjected to a hostile work environment or constructively discharged because of her sex (see Morris v Schroder Capital Mgt. Intl., 7 NY3d 616 , 622 [2006]; Matter of All Is. Airport Servs., Inc. v New York State Div. of Human Rights, 127 AD3d 967 , 968 [2015]; Matter of Gold Coast Rest. Corp. v Gibson, 67 AD3d 798 , 799-800 [2009]; Vitale v Rosina Food Prods., 283 AD2d 141 , 142-143 [2001]; Pace v Ogden Servs. Corp., 257 AD2d 101 , 103 [1999]).

Mastro, J.P., Hall, Sgroi and Duffy, JJ., concur.

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