Hearsay Evidence from Confidential Informant Insufficiently Detailed to Allow Independent Assessment of Credibility and Reliability

The Third Department annulled certain charges against the petitioner because the hearsay evidence was inadequate:

Hearsay in the form of confidential information may provide substantial evidence to support a determination of guilt when it is sufficiently detailed and probative to permit the Hearing Officer to make an independent assessment of its credibility and reliability … .Here, however, the correction officer’s description of the sources’ statements did not indicate that they had been threatened or had personal knowledge of any threats, nor did the officer provide details regarding the basis of their knowledge or whether they personally witnessed any conduct or statements by petitioner.  The testimony was insufficiently detailed and specific to enable the Hearing Officer to independently assess the credibility or reliability of the confidential information, and it appears that he impermissibly relied on the correction officer’s assessment that the sources were truthful… .  Matter of Rosa v Fischer, 515981, 3rd Dept 12-5-13