California Youth Authority v. State Personnel Board

Appellant California Youth Authority (CYA) dismissed real party in interest Randy Henderson from his job as a senior youth correctional counselor, for neglect of duty and other charges arising from the disappearance and homicide of a subordinate employee, youth correctional counselor Ineasie Baker. CYA believes Baker was killed by a ward (who has been charged with her murder), and Henderson failed to investigate after hearing her arguing with the ward.

Henderson contested his dismissal, and, after hearing evidence, an administrative law judge (ALJ) issued a proposed decision allowing CYA to dismiss Henderson. However, the State Personnel Board (SPB) did not adopt the ALJ’s proposed decision but instead issued its own decision revoking Henderson’s dismissal.

CYA appeals from the trial court’s denial of CYA’s petition for a writ of administrative mandamus seeking to overturn the SPB’s decision. CYA contends SPB’s findings are not supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record, and, in measuring the evidence, this court must pay special deference to findings of the ALJ based on witness credibility. We requested supplemental briefing on the potential…