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Matter of Joseph A. SISSON, Petitioner–appellant, v. Antoinette LECH, Niagara County Department of Mental Health and County of Niagara, Respondents–Respondents.
Supreme Court erred in granting respondents' motion for a directed verdict dismissing the petition. Petitioner alleged therein that he was terminated from his public employment in violation of Civil Service Law § 75–b, commonly referred to as the “whistleblower's law”, and that he was terminated in bad faith. As a provisional employee, petitioner could be discharged at will, absent proof that such discharge “was for a constitutionally impermissible purpose or in violation of statutory or decisional law” (Matter of York v. McGuire, 63 N.Y.2d 760, 761, 480 N.Y.S.2d 320, 469 N.E.2d 838). Petitioner presented evidence at trial that the termination of his employment was related to the fact that he reported to the Community Service Board that his superior, respondent Antoinette Lech, acted in an improper manner with respect to him and two other employees (see, Civil Service Law § 75–b [2][a][ii]; Bordell v. General Elec. Co., 88 N.Y.2d 869, 871, 644 N.Y.S.2d 912, 667 N.E.2d 922). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to petitioner, we conclude that there is a “rational basis whereby [a] jury might find for the [petitioner] as against the moving [respondents]” (Lacy v. Guthrie Clinic, 184 A.D.2d 1057, 584 N.Y.S.2d 253) with respect to both causes of action, and thus respondents are not entitled to a directed verdict.
Judgment unanimously reversed on the law without costs, motion denied and new trial granted.
MEMORANDUM:
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Decided: November 12, 1999
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
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