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IN RE: Donald James CARROLL, Petitioner-Respondent, v. NEW YORK STATE CANAL CORPORATION, Danny E. Sidman and Daniel Culligan, Respondents-Appellants.
Petitioner commenced this proceeding seeking to annul the determination that terminated his probationary employment as a tender captain with respondent New York State Canal Corporation. Supreme Court erred in directing the parties to conduct discovery in anticipation of a hearing and in denying the request of respondents in their answer seeking dismissal of the petition. “As a probationary employee, petitioner had no right to challenge the termination by way of a hearing or otherwise, absent a showing that he was dismissed in bad faith or for an improper or impermissible reason” (Matter of Swinton v. Safir, 93 N.Y.2d 758, 763, 697 N.Y.S.2d 869, 720 N.E.2d 89). Petitioner made no such showing, and thus there is no basis for discovery or a hearing (see generally Matter of Taylor v. State Univ. of N.Y., 13 A.D.3d 1149, 787 N.Y.S.2d 753). Indeed, petitioner fails even to allege that his termination was in bad faith (see Matter of Intemann v. County of Hamilton, 132 A.D.2d 871, 872, 518 N.Y.S.2d 70), and the probationary service reports attached to the petition state that his services during the probationary periods underlying each report were not “generally satisfactory” (cf. Matter of Rollick v. Ambach, 97 A.D.2d 637, 638, 468 N.Y.S.2d 925). We note in addition that petitioner admits that his termination was precipitated by his refusal to comply with his supervisors' direct order, which warranted his termination for insubordination notwithstanding his contention that his refusal was justified (see Matter of Scott v. Wetzler, 195 A.D.2d 905, 907, 600 N.Y.S.2d 974).
It is hereby ORDERED that the order so appealed from is unanimously reversed on the law without costs and the petition is dismissed.
MEMORANDUM:
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Decided: May 02, 2008
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
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