Hearings

DHR investigates, prosecutes, and adjudicates complaints of unlawful discrimination. If a DHR investigation determined that there is probable cause to believe that unlawful discrimination may have occurred, the complaint will move forward to our public hearing process. A public hearing, pursuant to the Human Rights Law, is a trial-like proceeding at which relevant evidence is placed in the hearing record. It is a hearing de novo, which means that the Commissioner’s final decision on the case is based solely on the content of the hearing record. The public hearing is presided over by an Administrative Law Judge, and a verbatim transcript is made of the proceedings. The hearing may last one or more days, not always consecutive. Parties are notified of all hearing sessions in advance, and the case may be adjourned to a later date only for good cause. At the conclusion of the hearing sessions, a proposed Order is prepared by the Administrative Law Judge and is sent to the parties for comment.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) will be holding public hearings via a videoconference platform. Anyone who wishes to attend a public hearing, including members of the public, press, and other non-participating observers ("attendees") should email [email protected]. Attendees will be able to see and/or hear the public hearing in the same manner as the participants and will have a similar experience to sitting in a hearing room. Please note that you must email your intent to attend a hearing, to the email above, at least one business day in advance of the start of the hearing.

IMPORTANT: Any recording of a Division proceeding held by video or teleconference, including “screen-shots” or other audio or visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited.

Technical Support: The Division will not provide technical support for participants or attendees. Please contact your local IT support, and you may let us know if you are having technical difficulties by email at [email protected].

September 2023 Schedule
Updated: September 1, 2023

9/5/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Tanya Bautista; Lucio Xotlanihua Tetla v STK Midtown, LLC; Eduardo Barranco; Eulalio Casales
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

9/6/23 - 9/7/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Michael A. Reynolds v MTA New York City Transit Authority
Administrative Law Judge: Sharon A. Sorkin

Kevin Lamar Marks, Jr. v Paul Kubala; Cynthia Link; County of Erie
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

Charles Bundick v John Mini Distinctive Landscaping Ltd
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

Breannalynn M. Steffans; Sandralee M. Smith v Controlled Contamination Services, LLC
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

9/11/23 - 9/12/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Nicole Lawtone-Bowles v City of New York, Department of Homeless Services; City of New York, Human Resources Administration; Delroy Lawrence; Junius McMillian
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Brian Buchalski v City of Niagara Falls
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

Atef Haggag v MM Hotel Management, LLC d/b/a Garden City Hotel
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

John H. Baggett v Syracuse Housing Authority; Rakiem Days
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

9/13/23 - 9/14/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Briahna L. Brathwaite v Saint John Bosco Child & Family Services, Inc.; Jeffery Murphy; Jennifer Banks
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Morgan Woodlief v Jack Boyajian
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Terry Lee Shaw v Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

Rebekah Schwegler v General Physician, P.C.; James Panzarella; Jiliann Roberts
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

Raymond F. Armelino v Charter Communications, LLC; Charter Communications Operating, LLC
Administrative Law Judge: Sharon A. Sorkin

9/15/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Eric Bowes v Prime Materials Recovery Inc.; Joe Harrington; Shane Shoen; Andrew A. Brumber; Fred Sherman
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

Larry Darrnell Johnson v City of New York, Department of Correction; Cynthia Brann
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

9/18/23 - 9/19/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Mandi Tharnish v Bertrand Chafee Hospital; Kenny Dabolt
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

Michelle Conomos; v JSB Management Group, LLC; Rebecca A Farthing; Boris Bogomolnik; Henry Farthing
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

Rebecca Beebee v Tessy Plastics Corporation; Pierce Bucknam
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Riley Jacobsen v Scanlon's Cleaners, Inc.; Casey Scanlon; Jay Scanlon; Ron Wolf; Americle, Inc.
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Mercybel Peralta v ABC Phones of North Carolina Inc., d/b/a Victra
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

9/20/23 - 9/21/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
David O. Danvers v MTA New York City Transit Authority; Transport Workers Union, Local 100
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

David Julien v K3 Works, Inc.; Jane Doe, true name unknown; William Kent; Domino’s Pizza Franchising, LLC; Fat Dough, Inc.
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Mohammed Ali v Adnan Doe; Amit Kumar; 3497 Chicken Corp.
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Vangy Krystal Pitre Arroyo v AHUJA ENT. INC. DBA Tim Horton’s; Ruban Heropkishan
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

Darla Makowski v Wal-Mart Stores East, LP
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben
 

9/22/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Wilfredo A. Duran Guzman v Amsterdam Court Hotel
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Paula Cox v Jack McKuhn
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

9/25/23 - 9/26/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Wendy E. Valdez v Yonkers Public Schools
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

Alexander Lee Yarinsky v Mouzon House, LLC; David Pedinotti; Dianne Pedinotti
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Christine Morsman v Allegany County
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben
 

9/27/23 - 9/28/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Maimouna M. Sacko v SDH Education West, LLC; Sodexo, Inc.; Colene Doughty
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

New York State, Division of Human Rights v Gouverneur Central School District; Tiffany N. Spicer; First Student, Inc.
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Juawana Freeman-Sapp v New York State, Office of Mental Health; Deborah Reed; Tanika Blanc; Tracey Olson
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

John Gary Gersbacher v BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.; Michael Cappelli
Administrative Law Judge: Sharon A. Sorkin

9/29/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM

Paul V. Guarino; Anthony M. Guarino v John Hafner; Jennifer Hafner
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

A final Order is issued by the Commissioner. The Commissioner either dismisses the complaint or finds discrimination. If discrimination is found, Respondent will be ordered to cease and desist and take appropriate action, such as reinstatement, training of staff, or provision of reasonable accommodation of disability. The Division may award money damages to Complainant including back pay and compensatory damages for mental pain and suffering, attorney’s fees, and civil fines and penalties. A Commissioner’s Order may be appealed by either party to the State Supreme Court within 60 days. Orders after hearing are transferred by the lower court to the Appellate Division for review.

​Inquiries regarding public hearings may be directed to the:
Office of Administrative Law Judges
NYS Division of Human Rights
One Fordham Plaza, Fourth Floor
Bronx, NY 10458
Tel: (718) 741-8255
eFax: (718) 741-8333
Email: [email protected]