ÿWPCÿ e¹Óò ‹$ C¹s 8’ãvÊÓ>!z~ð݃BCæ¶šüØwþt_¥PS‘˜0V¥FWLĨ°jCiQ¥@Íáš= §ïåλ›?`ÈËt¬×µ öÚëThŽÇá \B™ú“‰`#†Ã ª)¬±ZLê>Ð6:¶àÝ£&*P%™Œ-E]¥özMEøßs3Ѧ-ä\kÛ•À£Y 'iѦÃ:™QÝ”eú¿ßªe}ay [uˆ(•('OÓæ¯ªÐÍÚ?— žt­uÔ%S¯OtHRø:ß|µ?±&£ÀÓO7àjÍV´­YÜ»Í ’žõ]ÖWek°^÷øö) ¨o ¿%M)k\w“KJŽI;EêA‰î–á¹7Ö‡XŽàÅõäcÒ6ˆt@å(›À¾8º•ó¦dIýi©ÁÙÖVsF'YöâŸCt¨[ÁðX•=*˜¦°êwäx~U»ØæÉ$ªM˜]üÔ¹uܧv©!MG ïµÿhÑH ®Ïm:¹Ä£5©N( E'éšpÒÁ¶Aðùòo–8£ èû!y€Ðœ\h‰Që刖 ­½ÆzüTæíJl˜bݳ:9÷敪̭‚¾á1¢ýåËb %\UNb 0ˆ° 1u8U!N­ 72û 0 c- z Ò 0wÜ 72S 1‡… 72 Æ> Æ ÆÊ Æ 1‡VNÝ 0ŠßU:iE£N¥^ §w³4·ËÚ mÜ#ÁóU@´´´´´´´´´´´´´´´bôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôôô 0ëüüüü Bçç 0¤ D3¨ D-Û 0K ASSƦ 0¤l 0D A«T»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regulari)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à1)0нCEKQW]cioAutoList11)1)1)1)1)1)1)1) 1)Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 50š½CEKQW]cioAutoList21)1)1)1)1)1)1)1)(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular–™;+s j5+bk2Œ]¢3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0(ÈhH  Z(Times New Roman - ù-(|G2œå$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôÿò»»Ô d(|3IL$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3IL$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»dXXdì8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€M »»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼M »»»ÔÑ8€‘XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îYüM ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼M »îîYü #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓJuly€10,€2001€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X‘X»¼M ÔÌò òÔ#†¼M »XX‘ò#ÔJOHN€M.€Ô_ÔCAPPELLOÔ_Ôòòóó€v.€HAZEL€R.€ALBERT,€Commissioner,€TennesseeÐ úJ ÐDepartment€of€Labor,€et€al.òòóóÔ‡X‘X»¼M Ôó óÐ  ^ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òA€Direct€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Davidson€CountyÐ  ^ Ðà@@øøìàNo.€99„1741„I€€€€€€The€Honorable€Irvin€H.€Ô_ÔKilcreaseÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€ChancellorÐ ú J ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<½` AßÐ ¾  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„02104„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€September€27,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¹  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<` AßÐ ‘á  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X‘XXX‘Ôà  àA€corrections€officer€with€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction,€after€being€dischargedÐ ŒÜ Ðfor€allegedly€purchasing€a€television€from€an€inmate€at€the€institution€where€he€serves,€was€deniedÐ xÈ Ðunemployment€benefits.€€The€officerððs€petition€for€certiorari€to€the€chancery€court€was€dismissed,Ð d´ Ðand€the€officer€has€appealed.€€We€affirm.Ð P  ÐÔ#†X‘XXX‘e#ÔÔ#†¼M »XX‘Ð#ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼M ÔÌÓYÓÌò òÔ_ÔTenn.R.App.P.Ô_Ô€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Affirmedó óÐ d ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼M »àX‘t#ÔÔ‡X‘X.¼M ÔW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,Ð ì< ÐJ.óó€and€òòHolly€Kirby€Ô_ÔLillardÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€joined.Ð Ø( ÐÌAugust€C.€Winter,€Brentwood,€For€Appellant,€John€M.€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_ÔÐ ° ÐÌWilliam€B.€Ô_ÔHutchersonÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€Nashville,€For€Appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€CorrectionÐ ˆØ ÐÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€Douglas€Earl€Ô_ÔDimondÔ_Ô,€Assistant€AttorneyÐ `!°  ÐGeneral,€For€Appellee,€Tennessee€Department€of€Labor€and€Workforce€Development,€EmploymentÐ L"œ! ÐSecurity€DivisionÐ 8#ˆ" ÐÓ0ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼M »XX‘_#ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼M ÔÐ %` $ ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼M »XX‘¼ #ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼M ÔÓ  ÓÑ8€‘XXdìXXdì8Ñà  àPetitioner,€John€M.€Cappello€(ð ðCappelloðð),€appeals€from€the€trial€courtððs€order€dismissingÐ è&8"& Ðhis€petition€for€certiorari€and€affirming€the€decision€of€the€Board€of€Review€that€disallowed€his€claimÐ Ô'$#' Ðfor€unemployment€compensation.€€Ð À($( ÐÌà  àCappello€was€employed€by€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction€(ð ðÔ_ÔTDOCÔ_Ôðð)€as€aÐ ˜*è%* Ðcorrections€officer€at€the€Middle€Tennessee€Correctional€Complex.€€According€to€the€January€19,Ð „+Ô&+ Ðâ â1999,€termination€memorandum,€Cappello€was€terminated€for€allegedly€purchasing€a€television€setÐ p,À',ý Ðfor€$40.00€from€an€inmate€in€violation€of€official€policy.€€The€termination€memorandum€to€CappelloÐ ° Ðfrom€Warden,€David€L.€Poindexter,€states€in€pertinent€part€as€follows:Ð œì Ðâ âÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àA€due€process€hearing€was€held€on€Tuesday,€January€5,€1999,€at€1:00Ð tÄ Ðp.m.€in€my€conference€room€for€the€purpose€of€hearing€any€testimonyÐ `° Ðand€reviewing€any€documentation€you€wished€to€present€in€defenseÐ L œ Ðof€the€following€charges:Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÓ€ (н83Óà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£GÝÔ2нÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` x` xàÝ  ÝViolation€of€TDOC€policy€302.04݃3£Gt݌Р`xx ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  ÝÝ‚3£kÝÔ2нÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ ¸ àÝ  ÝViolation€of€policy€305.03݃3£k˜ÝŒÐü L    ÐŒÝ  ÝÓ€ (š½88 ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚3£"ÝÝ  Ýà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àÝ‚3£øÝÔ2š½ÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0` x` xàÝ  ÝViolation€of€Oath€of€Office݃3£øQÝŒÐè 8 xx ÐŒÝ  Ýà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àSpecifically,€you€were€charged€with€bartering€with€inmate€DavidÐ À  ÐPetty€#96798,€by€paying€him€$40€in€exchange€for€his€10"€ZenithÐ ¬ü  Ðtelevision,€and€providing€mailing€instructions€for€same.€€Present€at€theÐ ˜è  Ðhearing,€in€addition€to€you€and€me,€was€Deputy€Warden€KennethÐ „Ô  ÐLocke€and€your€witness,€Joey€Harrington.€€You€stated€at€theÐ pÀ Ðbeginning€of€the€meeting€that€you€were€prepared€and€it€was€furtherÐ \¬ Ðestablished€that€your€witness,€Joey€Harrington,€was€your€wifeððs€sonÐ H˜ Ðwho€lives€on€the€first€floor€of€your€home€at€8013€Esterbrook€Drive€inÐ 4„ ÐNashville.€€After€reading€the€charges€against€you,€you€were€askedÐ  p Ðhow€you€plead€to€the€charges€to€which€you€replied€ð ðNot€Guilty.ððÐ \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€presented€you€with€copies€of€policy€302.04,€305.03€and€the€Oath€ofÐ ä4 ÐOffice€and€asked€if€you€were€familiar€with€the€contents€of€each,€toÐ Ð  Ðwhich€you€replied,€ð ðyes.ðð€€I€further€asked€you€to€look€at€aÐ ¼  ÐMemorandum€of€Understanding€that€is€in€your€personnel€file€whichÐ ¨ø Ðwas€signed€February€4,€1994.€€You€indicated€upon€examination€thatÐ ”ä Ðyou€did€sign€and€were€aware€of€its€contents.€€I€questioned€you€aboutÐ €Ð Ðyour€relationship€with€inmate€David€Petty€#96798.€€You€respondedÐ l¼ Ðthat€you€knew€him,€but€that€your€relationship€essentially€was€anÐ X ¨ Ðinmate/correctional€officer€relationship€and€that€there€was€nothingÐ D!” Ðspecial€about€him€other€than€you€remembered€you€had€to€correct€himÐ 0"€  Ðon€the€yard€one€time€over€a€game€of€poker.€€You€were€asked€if€youÐ #l! Ðknew€anything€about€Pettyððs€alleged€allegation€that€he€had€sold€youÐ $X" Ða€T.V.€in€exchange€for€$40€and€had€mailed€it€to€a€Joey€HarringtonÐ ô$D # Ðupon€your€direction€at€your€home€address.€€You€indicated€that€at€theÐ à%0!$ Ðtime€of€the€first€I.A.€investigation€you€did€not€know€anything€aboutÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€T.V.,€but€that€since€that€time€you€had€found€out€information€aboutÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€T.V.€from€your€wifeððs€son,€Joey€Harrington.€€You€were€asked€ifÐ ¤(ô#' Ðyou€were€aware€of€a€parcel€being€delivered€and€received€at€theÐ )à$( ÐEsterbrook€address€from€inmate€Perry€(sic)€to€which€you€respondedÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€you€were€now,€but€werenððt€aware€of€it€in€September.€€You€wereÐ h+¸&* Ðfurther€asked€what€you€would€do€if€such€item€was€knowingly€sent€toÐ ° Ðyour€address,€to€which€you€replied,€ð ðgo€to€a€supervisor€or€someone€inÐ œì Ðauthority.ððЈØ` x` x Ðà  àÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àYou€stated€that€you€knew€nothing€about€the€T.V.€during€the€first€I.A.Ð `° Ðinvestigation€which€was€concluded€on€September€29,€1998,€and€thatÐ L œ Ðyou€did€not€recall€Joey€Harringtonððs€name€being€brought€up€inÐ 8 ˆ Ðconnection€with€the€T.V.€until€around€the€time€you€received€the€dueÐ $ t Ðprocess€dated€December€16,€1998.€€Ð `` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAt€that€point,€Mr.€Harrington€was€asked€to€relate€what€he€knew€aboutÐ è 8  Ðthe€television.€€He€stated€for€the€record€that€he€knew€a€Sandra€PettyÐ Ô$  Ðand€that€he€saw€her€in€October€or€November€during€which€time€sheÐ À  Ðasked€him€if€he€wanted€to€buy€a€used€T.V.€for€$40?€€He€stated€that€heÐ ¬ü  Ðdid€not€know€who€the€T.V.€belonged€to.€€He€decided€to€purchase€theÐ ˜è  ÐT.V.€as€a€Christmas€gift€for€his€girlfriend€who€lives€in€Arizona.€€AÐ „Ô  Ðfew€days€later,€he€ran€into€Sandra€Petty€again€at€a€party€and€gave€herÐ pÀ Ðthe€$40€and€his€address€as€she€indicated€the€T.V.€would€be€mailed€toÐ \¬ Ðhim.€€In€December,€he€found€the€T.V.€that€had€been€sent€through€theÐ H˜ Ðmail€at€his€house.€€He€did€not€know€who€accepted€it;€it€was€just€thereÐ 4„ Ðwhen€he€got€in€from€being€out€of€town.Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àMr.€Harrington€was€repeatedly€asked€about€the€date€that€he€made€theÐ øH Ðagreement€to€purchase€the€T.V.€€He€was€unclear€as€to€the€exact€date,Ð ä4 Ðbut€did€narrow€it€down€to€late€October€or€early€November.€€Mr.Ð Ð  ÐCappello€was€asked€if€he€had€anything€to€add€to€his€testimony€and€heÐ ¼  Ðindicated€he€had€a€letter€from€his€attorney€that€I€could€read,€which€IÐ ¨ø Ðdid.€€After€reading,€I€determined€that€the€content€had€no€immediateÐ ”ä Ðbearing€on€the€current€charges.€€Mr.€Harrington,€likewise,€was€askedÐ €Ð Ðif€he€had€anything€to€add€and€he€indicated€that€he€did€not€but€wouldÐ l¼ Ðbe€available€for€further€questioning€if€needed€at€a€later€date.€€TheÐ X ¨ Ðmeeting€was€concluded.ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àI€have€reviewed€the€I.A.€report€of€the€investigation€conducted€inÐ #l! ÐSeptember€and€the€follow„up€investigation€in€November.€€There€areÐ $X" Ðdirect€conflicts€in€testimony€heard€on€January€5,€1999Ð ô$D # Ð(Cappello/Harrington)€and€the€contents€of€the€report(s):Ðà%0!$` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à1)€€€€€à8¸ ` x` xàYou€stated€in€the€hearing€that€you€ð ðcouldnððt€recallððÐ ¸'#& ÐJoey€Harringtonððs€name€being€brought€up€regardingÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€delivery€of€the€T.V.€during€the€first€I.A.Ð )à$( Ðquestioning,€and€thatððs€why€you€waited€fromÐ |*Ì%) ÐSeptember€until€December€(3€months)€to€questionÐ h+¸&* ÐHarrington€about€the€T.V.€€The€I.A.€report€indicatesÐ ° Ðthat€on€September€22,€Investigators€Gil€Mathis€andÐ œì ÐDebbie€Copeland€interviewed€you€and€you€wereÐ ˆØ Ðspecifically€asked€about€a€Joey€Harrington.€€Again€onÐ tÄ ÐNovember€16,€1998,€the€two€investigators€went€to€theÐ `° ÐEsterbrook€address€and€when€you€came€to€the€door,Ð L œ Ðthey€asked€to€see€Joey€Harrington.€€It€is€inconceivableÐ 8 ˆ Ðto€me€that€you€would€wait€three€(3)€monthsÐ $ t Ð(September€to€December)€to€ask€Mr.€Harrington€whyÐ  ` Ðthey€specifically€asked€to€talk€to€him€in€connectionÐ ü L  Ðwith€the€T.V.€knowing€that€you€were€under€activeÐ è 8  Ðinvestigation.ÐÔ$ ¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à2)€€€€€à8¸ ` x` xàYou€stated€during€the€I.A.€investigation€on€SeptemberÐ ¬ü  Ð22,€1998€and€again€for€the€record€on€January€5,€thatÐ ˜è  Ðyou€were€not€aware€of€a€parcel€being€delivered€to€yourÐ „Ô  Ðaddress€from€inmate€Perry€(sic).ÐpÀ¸ ¸  ÐÌà  à€€€€€€€à8 ` àThe€United€States€postal€inspector€for€this€area€worked€inÐ H˜ Ðcoordination€with€I.A.€in€the€delivery€of€the€T.V.€to€your€residence€viaÐ 4„ ÐU.S.€mail€on€September€15,€1998,€between€10:30€and€11:00€a.m.€€TheÐ  p Ðpackage€with€the€inmateððs€name,€number€and€return€prison€addressÐ  \ Ðwas€hand€delivered€to€the€Esterbrook€address€and€you€accepted€itÐ øH Ð(positive€I.D.€has€been€made€by€the€delivery€person€against€a€driverððsÐ ä4 Ðlicense€picture€obtained€through€the€TBI,€in€conjunction€with€theÐ Ð  ÐDepartment€of€Safety).м ` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` à3)€€€€€à8¸ ` x` xàYou€stated€on€January€5€that€if€a€package€from€anÐ ”ä Ðinmate€were€knowingly€sent€to€your€address,€youÐ €Ð Ðwould€report€it€to€your€supervisor€or€other€official.€Ð l¼ ÐI.A.€intentionally€waited€from€the€delivery€date€ofÐ X ¨ ÐSeptember€15€until€the€day€the€investigatorsÐ D!” Ðquestioned€you€on€September€22€to€give€you€ampleÐ 0"€  Ðtime€to€return€the€T.V.€€You€didnððt€do€[sic]€and€in€factÐ #l! Ðstated€repeatedly€that€you€knew€nothing€about€it€untilÐ $X" Ðmid€December.Ðô$D #¸ ¸  ÐÌà  àà8 ` à4)€€€€€à8¸ ` x` xàMr.€Harrington€stated€during€the€January€5€meetingÐ Ì&"% Ðthat€he€bought€the€T.V.€in€October€or€November.€€HadÐ ¸'#& Ðthis€been€the€case,€it€couldnððt€have€been€deliveredÐ ¤(ô#' ÐSeptember€15.Ð)à$(¸ ¸  Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIf€one€accepts€the€facts€documented€in€the€I.A.€investigation€andÐ ° Ðâ âdocumented€report€as€correct,€which€I€do,€then€the€answers€given€byÐ œì Ðyou€and€Mr.€Harrington€ð!ð€which€represent€a€marked€difference€to€theÐ ˆØ Ðreport€ð!ð€would€have€to€be€judged€as€highly€questionable€to€the€extentÐ tÄ Ðof€being€untruthful€or€false.Ð`°` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€conclusion,€based€on€all€facts,€testimony€and€evidence€I€have€at€myÐ 8 ˆ Ðdisposal,€it€is€my€determination€that€you€are€guilty€of€violation€ofÐ $ t ÐTDOC€policy€305.03,€302.04€and€the€Oath€of€Office€which€youÐ  ` Ðsigned€and€swore€to€uphold.€€By€knowingly€doing€this,€you€haveÐ ü L  Ðrendered€yourself€unfit€to€do€your€job€as€a€correctional€officer€whichÐ è 8  Ðby€your€own€definition€on€January€5,€is€to€ð ðrehabilitate€inmates,Ð Ô$  Ðprevent€fights,€counsel€inmates,€take€orders€from€supervisors€andÐ À  Ðenforce€TDOC€and€institutional€policies€and€procedures.ðð€Ð ¬ü  ÐAdditionally,€I€have€reviewed€your€personnel€file€which€is€repleteÐ ˜è  Ðwith€policy€violations€including,€but€certainly€not€limited€to,€1)Ð „Ô  Ðproviding€a€forged€document€for€employment€purposes,€2)€writtenÐ pÀ Ðwarning€for€conduct€unbecoming€a€state€employee€10/31/95Ð \¬ Ð(falsifying€a€weapons€qualification€target€in€order€to€qualify;€and€3)Ð H˜ Ðsuspension€(5/25/95)€for€violating€the€same€two€policies€and€oath€youÐ 4„ Ðare€currently€charged€with,€and€numerous€other€infractions€andÐ  p Ðviolations€of€policy.Ð \` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€consideration€of€the€seriousness€of€this€incident,€a€careful€reviewÐ ä4 Ðof€your€personnel€file,€and€the€fact€that€your€actions€continue€toÐ Ð  Ðestablish€the€profile€of€an€employee€who€has€no€desire€to€work€withinÐ ¼  Ðthe€guidelines€of€TDOC€policy,€I€am,€therefore,€terminating€you€fromÐ ¨ø Ðstate€service.€€You€are€hereby€given€10€days€notice€in€accordance€withÐ ”ä ÐDOP€Rules€and€Regulations€1120„10„.07(5)(C),€which€will€begin€onÐ €Ð ÐJanuary€19€and€end€on€January€28,€1999.€€Effective€January€29,€youÐ l¼ Ðwill€be€paid€for€your€compensatory€time€and€your€accrued€annualÐ X ¨ Ðleave€will€be€applied€to€terminal€leave.ÐD!”` x` x ÐÌà@\\$ìà*€€€€€*€€€€€*ˆÐ #l! ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àYou€may€appeal€this€decision€through€the€grievance€procedure.€€IfÐ ô$D # Ðyou€wish€to€appeal€through€the€grievance€procedure,€you€shouldÐ à%0!$ Ðobtain€a€form€from€this€office,€review€the€Department€of€PersonnelÐ Ì&"% ÐRules,€Chapter€1120„11„2,€and€file€any€such€grievance€within€fifteenÐ ¸'#& Ð(15)€workdays.€€If€you€have€any€questions€concerning€your€appealÐ ¤(ô#' Ðrights,€you€should€contact€the€State€Information€Line€at€615„741„Ð )à$( Ð1859.€€€€€Ð|*Ì%)` x` x ÐÐ h+¸&* Ðà  àÔ_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€did€not€appeal€the€decision,€and€on€January€29,€1999,€Cappello€completed€andÐ ° Ðsigned€an€initial€claim€form€for€unemployment€compensation€and€signed€an€unemployment€insuranceÐ œì Ðquestionnaire.€€On€February€12,€1999,€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Employment€Security€(ð ðÔ_ÔTDESÔ_Ôðð)Ð ˆØ Ðdenied€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€claim€for€unemployment€compensation€under€T.C.A.€ðð€50„7„303,€becauseÐ tÄ ÐCappello€was€discharged€for€work„related€misconduct.€€On€February€16,€1999,€Cappello€appealedÐ `° Ðthis€decision€to€the€Appeals€Tribunal€of€Ô_ÔTDESÔ_Ô,€and€on€March€31,€1999,€an€evidentiary€hearing€wasÐ L œ Ðheld.€€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€decision€of€the€Appeals€Tribunal€was€mailed€to€the€interested€parties€on€April€1,€1999,Ð  ` Ðand€states€in€pertinent€part:Ð ü L  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFINDINGS€OF€FACT:€Claimantððs€most€recent€employment€prior€toÐ Ô$  Ðfiling€this€claim€was€with€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction,Ð À  Ðwhere€he€worked€as€a€correctional€officer€from€September€1,€1978,Ð ¬ü  Ðuntil€January€19,€1999.€€The€claimant€befriended€an€inmate€andÐ ˜è  Ðpurchased€a€TV€from€the€inmate€in€exchange€for€$40.00.€€TheÐ „Ô  Ðclaimant€had€the€inmate€send€the€TV€via€U.S.€Mail€to€his€homeÐ pÀ Ðaddress.€€The€company€has€a€policy,€which€prohibits€correctionalÐ \¬ Ðofficers€from€trading€or€bartering€with€inmates€or€their€families.€€TheÐ H˜ Ðincident€was€investigated€and€the€claimant€was€terminated€from€hisÐ 4„ Ðjob.€Ð p` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àCONCLUSIONS€OF€LAW:€The€Appeals€Tribunal€finds€that€theÐ øH Ðclaimant€was€terminated€from€his€most€recent€employment€when€heÐ ä4 Ðpurchased€a€TV€set€from€an€inmate,€which€is€against€company€policy.€Ð Ð  ÐThe€claimant€contends€that€the€TV€was€purchased€by€his€stepson€ofÐ ¼  Ðwhich€claimant€had€no€knowledge.€€The€evidence€in€the€record€showsÐ ¨ø Ðthat€the€claimant€in€his€statement€to€the€local€office€representative,Ð ”ä Ðwhich€is€page€three€of€exhibit€one€in€the€Agency€file,€states€that€heÐ €Ð Ðbought€a€TV€from€the€inmate.€€Also€the€claimantððs€witness€is€notÐ l¼ Ðcredible.€€The€claimantððs€witness€testified€that€he€had€an€arrangementÐ X ¨ Ðin€October€or€November€of€1998,€in€which€he€purchased€the€TV€andÐ D!” Ðgave€the€inmatesðð€wife€$40.00€for€the€purchase€of€the€TV,€which€wasÐ 0"€  Ðdelivered€to€the€claimantððs€home€on€September€15,€1998,€and€theÐ #l! Ðclaimant€was€questioned€about€the€incident€as€early€as€September€22,Ð $X" Ð1998.€€Therefore,€the€claimantððs€behavior€constitutes€a€willful€andÐ ô$D # Ðdeliberate€disregard€against€the€employerððs€interest€and€is€consideredÐ à%0!$ Ðwork„related€misconduct€under€TCA€ðð€50„7„303(a)(2).€€The€AgencyÐ Ì&"% Ðdecision€is€affirmed.€€€€€Ð¸'#&` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àDECISION:€€The€claimant€is€not€eligible€for€unemployment€benefitsÐ )à$( Ðâ âunder€TCA€ðð€50„7„303(a)(2).€€The€claim€is€denied€as€of€the€date€ofÐ |*Ì%) Ðfiling€and€until€the€claimant€qualifies€for€benefits€in€accordance€withÐ ° Ðthe€Tennessee€Employment€Security€Law.€Ðœì` x` x Ðâ âÌà  àÔ_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€duly€appealed€to€the€Board€of€Review,€and€the€Board€issued€its€decision€May€13,Ð tÄ Ð1999,€which€states:à ¸ àÐ `° ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àHISTORY€OF€THE€CASE:€€This€claimant€filed€an€initial€claim€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðunemployment€compensation€on€January€29,€1999.€€On€February€12,Ð $ t Ð1999,€the€Agency€disallowed€the€claim€under€TCA€ðð€50„7„303(a)(2).€Ð  ` ÐThe€claimant€filed€an€appeal€to€the€Appeals€Tribunal€on€February€16,Ð ü L  Ð1999.€€A€hearing€was€conducted€on€this€case€in€Nashville,€Tennessee,Ð è 8  Ðon€March€16,€1999,€which€was€rescheduled.€€A€hearing€wasÐ Ô$  Ðconducted€in€Nashville,€Tennessee,€on€March€31,€1999,€at€which€timeÐ À  Ðboth€the€claimant€and€employer€testified.€€By€decision€#99„AT„02507Ð ¬ü  ÐA€dated€April€1,€1999,€the€Appeals€Tribunal€affirmed€the€AgencyððsÐ ˜è  Ðdecision.€€From€this€decision,€the€claimant€filed€an€appeal€to€theÐ „Ô  ÐBoard€of€Review€on€April€16,€1999.ÐpÀ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àFINDINGS€OF€FACT€AND€CONCLUSIONS€OF€LAW:€Based€uponÐ H˜ Ðthe€entire€record€in€this€cause,€the€Board€of€Review€finds€the€AppealsÐ 4„ ÐTribunal€correctly€found€the€facts€and€applied€the€law€under€Ô_ÔTCAÔ_Ô€ððÐ  p Ð50„7„303(a).€€We€hereby€adopt€the€findings€of€fact€and€decision€of€theÐ  \ ÐAppeals€Tribunal€but€the€same€need€not€be€copied€herein€for€theÐ øH Ðpurpose€of€our€decision.€€Counsel€for€the€claimant€has€requested€aÐ ä4 Ðhearing€to€present€testimony€from€a€witness.€€He€has€not€explainedÐ Ð  Ðwhy€this€witness€was€not€presented€at€the€Appeals€Tribunal€hearing.€Ð ¼  ÐThe€request€for€another€hearing€is,€therefore,€denied.Шø` x` x ÐÌà  àà8 ` àDECISION:€The€decision€of€the€Appeals€Tribunal€is€affirmed.ЀÐ` x` x ÐÌà  àThis€decision€constituted€the€final€decision€of€the€Commissioner€of€Employment€Security,Ð X ¨ Ðand€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€filed€a€petition€for€certiorari€in€the€Chancery€Court€for€review€of€the€CommissionerððsÐ D!” Ðfinal€decision.€€The€Chancellor€dismissed€the€petition€for€certiorari€and€affirmed€the€CommissionerððsÐ 0"€  Ðfinal€decision€which€resulted€in€this€appeal.€€Ð #l! ÐÌà  àCappello€argues€that€none€of€the€evidence€in€this€case€supports€the€position€that€he€purchasedÐ ô$D # Ðthe€television€from€Petty€in€violation€of€TDOC€policy.€€Cappello€argues€that€the€employerððs€evidenceÐ à%0!$ Ðthat€Cappello€was€present€when€the€packaged€television€was€delivered€to€his€address€is€hearsay€andÐ Ì&"% Ðnot€evidence€that€Cappello€knew€what€was€inside€the€package€or€who€sent€it.€€Cappelloððs€testimonyÐ ¸'#& Ðis€that€he€never€saw€the€television€and€never€took€delivery€of€a€package€addressed€to€JoeyÐ ¤(ô#' ÐHarrington.€€Cappello€also€argues€that€Harringtonððs€lapse€of€memory€as€to€the€events€in€question€andÐ )à$( Ðinability€to€provide€effective€testimony€as€to€the€exact€dates€in€question€does€not€constituteÐ |*Ì%) Ðsubstantial€and€material€evidence.€€Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àWe€will€now€summarize€the€testimony€of€each€witness:Ð ° ÐÌà@[[#ìàDEBBIE€COPELANDˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àMs.€Copeland€was€a€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€internal€affairs€investigator€who€handled€the€investigation€toÐ `° Ðdetermine€whether€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€bartered€with€an€inmate€in€violation€of€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€policy.€€After€inmateÐ L œ ÐPetty€failed€a€drug€screen€test,€a€search€of€Pettyððs€property€led€to€the€discovery€of€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€address.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐThe€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô,€along€with€the€Tennessee€Bureau€of€Investigation,€verified€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€address€throughÐ $ t Ðseveral€sources,€and€it€was€at€this€address€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€received€his€pay€checks€from€the€State.€€SheÐ  ` Ðnoted€that€other€records€indicated€that€the€address€found€in€Pettyððs€property€was€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€residenceÐ ü L  Ðwhich€was€8013€Esterbrook€Drive€in€Nashville,€Tennessee.€€She€interviewed€Petty,€and€Petty€toldÐ è 8  Ðher€that€he€considered€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€to€be€a€friend.€€She€Ô_ÔfutherÔ_Ô€testified€that,€according€to€Petty,€it€wasÐ Ô$  Ðcommon€knowledge€that€Petty€was€up€for€parole,€and€because€of€his€need€for€money€he€would€sellÐ À  Ðsome€of€his€property€to€any€ð ðtakers.ðð€€Petty€took€the€television€to€the€mail€room€and€asked€forÐ ¬ü  Ðassistance€in€mailing€the€television,€but€the€actual€mailing€was€not€completed.€€Internal€AffairsÐ ˜è  Ðdecided€to€carry€out€a€control€mailing€with€the€assistance€of€the€U.€S.€Postal€Inspector,€and€onÐ „Ô  ÐSeptember€15,€1998,€in€mid„morning€the€television€package€was€delivered.€€Ms.€Copeland€testifiedÐ pÀ Ðthat€she€was€told€by€the€Postal€Inspector€that€at€the€time€the€package€was€delivered,€the€mail€carrierÐ \¬ Ðidentified€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€from€photographs€as€the€person€receiving€the€package.Ð H˜ ÐÌà  àMs.€Copeland€further€testified€that€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€never€reported€that€he€received€the€television,Ð  p Ðand€when€she€interviewed€him€on€September€22,€1998,€he€denied€any€knowledge€of€the€television.€Ð  \ ÐHe€also€refused€to€allow€the€search€of€his€residence.€€She€opined€that€her€investigation€indicated€thatÐ øH ÐÔ_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€did,€in€fact,€barter€with€Petty€for€the€television,€and€that€this€was€in€clear€violation€ofÐ ä4 ÐÔ_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€policy.Ð Ð  Ðà@»»&ìàKEN€LOCKEˆÐ ¼  ÐÌà  àMr.€Locke€was€a€Deputy€Warden€of€the€Middle€Tennessee€Correctional€Complex€during€theÐ ”ä Ðtime€period€involved.€€He€received€instructions€to€mail€the€television€to€8013€Ô_ÔEsterbrookÔ_Ô€Drive,Ð €Ð ÐNashville,€Tennessee,€37221,€which€is€the€same€address€for€Mr.€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€and€his€step„son,Ð l¼ ÐHarrington.€€Mr.€Locke€identified€the€due€process€form€letter€sent€to€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€and€testifiedÐ X ¨ Ðconcerning€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€Policy€No.€302.04€(conflict€of€interest)€and€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€Policy€No.€305.03€(trading€orÐ D!” Ðbartering€with€an€inmate).€€He€also€testified€concerning€the€oath€of€office€taken€by€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€officers.€Ð 0"€  ÐMr.€Locke€served€as€a€member€of€the€due€process€panel€for€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€termination€and€was€presentÐ #l! Ðwhen€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€met€with€the€warden€on€January€5,€1999.€€He€testified€that€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€was€providedÐ $X" Ðan€opportunity€to€address€the€charges€brought€against€him,€and€that€the€statements€attributed€toÐ ô$D # ÐÔ_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€and€his€step„son,€Harrington,€at€the€hearing€are€accurately€reflected€in€the€terminationÐ à%0!$ Ðmemorandum,€dated€January€19,€1999.€€According€to€Mr.€Lockeððs€testimony,€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€wasÐ Ì&"% Ðdischarged€because€he€violated€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€policy€and€compromised€his€ability€to€function€as€aÐ ¸'#& Ðcorrectional€officer.Ð ¤(ô#' Ðà@RR"ìàJOHN€M.€Ô_ÔCAPPELLOÔ_ԈР)à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àHe€stated€that€he€had€no€knowledge€that€his€step„son,€Harrington,€had€purchased€theÐ ° Ðâ âtelevision€from€Petty.€€He€described€the€physical€layout€of€his€house€and€the€living€arrangements€heÐ œì Ðshared€with€his€step„son.€€He€stated€that€his€house€had€two„stories€with€separate€entrances,€and€thatÐ ˆØ ÐHarrington€lived€downstairs,€and€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€and€his€wife€lived€upstairs.€€He€testified€that€he€neverÐ tÄ Ðtook€any€delivery€of€any€package€addressed€to€Harrington€that€was€sent€from€inmate€Pettyððs€address,Ð `° Ðand€he€had€no€knowledge€until€early€or€mid„November,€1998,€that€his€wife€had€taken€possession€ofÐ L œ Ðany€package€from€Petty.€€He€stated€that€he€eventually€found€out€about€the€television€from€HarringtonÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€that€Harrington€some€how€knew€Pettyððs€wife,€Sandra€Petty,€and€that€he€bought€the€televisionÐ $ t Ðfrom€her.€€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€admitted€that€he€had€signed€the€unemployment€insurance€questionnaire€whichÐ  ` Ðstated€as€a€reason€for€his€discharge€from€the€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€that,€ð ðI€bought€a€TV€from€an€inmate.ðð€€He€statedÐ ü L  Ðthat€he€did€not€write€the€words€on€the€form,€but€he€signed€it,€although€he€did€not€read€the€form€beforeÐ è 8  Ðhe€signed€it.€€He€adamantly€denied€any€involvement€with€the€purchase€of€the€television€from€Petty.€Ð Ô$  ÐÌà  àAlthough€the€chancellor€can€reverse,€remand,€or€modify€the€administrative€decision,€the€courtÐ ¬ü  Ðis€prohibited€from€substituting€its€judgment€for€that€of€the€Board€of€Review€as€to€the€weight€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðevidence€Ô‡X‘XXX‘Ôas€to€questions€of€fact.€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€50„7„304€(i)(3)€(1999).€€Ô#†X‘XXX‘:|#ÔÔ‡X‘XXX‘ÔFurthermore,€when€the€resolutionÐ „Ô  Ðof€the€issues€in€a€case,€such€as€this€one,€depends€upon€the€truthfulness€of€witnesses,€the€fact€finderÐ pÀ Ðwho€has€the€opportunity€to€observe€the€witnesses€in€their€manner€and€demeanor€while€testifying€isÐ \¬ Ðin€a€far€better€position€than€this€Court€to€decide€those€issues.€€òòò òÔ_ÔMcCalebÔ_Ô€v.€Saturn€Corpó ó.óó,€910€S.W.2dÐ H˜ Ð412,€415€(Tenn.€1995);òò€ò òWhitaker€v.€Whitakeró óóó,€957€S.W.2d€834,€837€(Tenn.€App.€1997).€€TheÐ 4„ Ðweight,€faith,€and€credit€to€be€given€to€any€witnessððs€testimony€lies€in€the€first€instance€with€the€trierÐ  p Ðof€fact,€and€the€credibility€accorded€will€be€given€great€weight€by€the€appellate€court.€€òòò òIdóóó ó.;€òòò òIn€reÐ  \ ÐEstate€of€Walton€v.€Youngóó,ó ó€950€S.W.2d€956,€959€(Tenn.€1997).€€Ô#†X‘XXX‘Û|#ÔÔ#†¼M »XX‘ #ÔÔ‡X‘X»¼M ÔÐ øH ÐÌ€à  àÔ_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€asserts€that€the€evidence€from€Ms.€Copeland€that€he€was€identified€as€receiving€theÐ Ô$ Ðpackage€delivered€is€hearsay€and€should€not€have€been€admitted.€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô‡Xÿ XXX‘ÔððÔ#†X‘X XXÿ‚#ÔÔ‡X‘XXX‘Ô€4„5„313€(1998)€governsÐ À Ðthe€admissibility€of€evidence€in€administrative€proceedings€and€states€in€pertinent€part:Ð ¬ü ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò ò4„5„313.€€Rules€of€evidence€„€Affidavits€„€Official€notice.ó 󀄀InÐ „Ô Ðcontested€cases:ÐtÄ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ à(1)€The€agency€shall€admit€and€give€probative€effect€toÐ L!œ Ðevidence€admissible€in€a€court,€and€when€necessary€to€ascertain€factsÐ 8"ˆ  Ðnot€reasonably€susceptible€to€proof€under€the€rules€of€court,€evidenceÐ $#t! Ðnot€admissible€thereunder€may€be€admitted€if€it€is€of€a€type€commonlyÐ $`" Ðrelied€upon€by€reasonably€prudent€men€in€the€conduct€of€their€Ðü$L #` x` x Ðà8  àà8` Ð Ð àaffairs.€.€.€.€Ðè%8!$` x` x ÐÌà  àAlthough€hearsay€evidence€is€admissible€in€an€administrative€proceeding,€ð ðuncorroborated€Ð À'#& Ѐhearsay€or€rumor€would€not€constitute€ððsubstantial€evidenceðð€where€the€scope€of€review€was€limitedÐ ¬(ü#' Ðto€a€search€for€ððsubstantial€evidence.ðððð€ò òòòSee€Goodwin€v.€Metropolitan€Bd.€of€Healthó óóó,€656€S.W.2dÐ ˜)è$( Ð383,€388€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983).€€In€the€case€at€bar,€it€is€undisputed€that€the€television€was€mailedÐ „*Ô%) Ðfrom€the€inmate€to€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€home€address.€€That€evidence€certainly€corroborates€that€the€televisionÐ p+À&* Ðarrived€at€his€residence€and€does€corroborate,€to€some€extent,€the€identification€made€by€the€postalÐ ° Ðemployee.Ð œì ÐÌà  àMisconduct€connected€to€a€claimantððs€work€disqualifies€the€claimant€from€receivingÐ tÄ Ðunemployment€benefits.€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€Ô#†X‘XXX‘W‚#ÔÔ‡Xÿ XXX‘ÔððÔ#†X‘X XXÿø‰#ÔÔ‡X‘XXX‘Ô€50„7„303€(a)(2)€(1999).€€€It€is€undisputed€that€Ô_ÔTDOCÔ_Ô€policyÐ `° Ðprohibits€the€purchase€of€a€television€by€a€corrections€officer€or€his€family€from€an€inmate.€Ð L œ ÐÔ_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€testimony€concerning€his€failure€to€contact€Harrington€concerning€the€television€after€heÐ 8 ˆ Ðwas€put€on€notice€of€the€serious€allegations€does€illustrate€questionable€conduct€on€his€part.€Ð $ t ÐMoreover,€the€testimony€of€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ôððs€step„son,€Harrington,€was€determined€not€to€be€credible,€andÐ  ` Ðwe€must€agree€with€that€determination.€€According€to€Harringtonððs€testimony,€he€bought€theÐ ü L  Ðtelevision€without€having€seen€it€and€gave€cash€to€a€virtual€stranger€on€her€promise€to€have€theÐ è 8  Ðtelevision€sent€to€him.€€It€was€a€mere€coincidence€that€the€stranger€happened€to€be€the€inmateððs€wife.€Ð Ô$  ÐThe€record€is€quite€clear€that€Harringtonððs€testimony€concerning€the€date€he€bought€the€televisionÐ À  Ðis€inconsistent.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àò òòòó óóóMost€compelling,€however,€is€the€claimantððs€separation€questionnaire€filed€by€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€inÐ „Ô  Ðhis€claim€for€unemployment€compensation.€€The€questionnaire€states:Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à1.€€Were€you€discharged€for€violation€of€a€company€policy/rule?ÐH˜` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà8¸ ` x` xàòò€€€€€€€€€X€€€€€€óó€€€€€Yesà À àà  àà p à_______€€€NoÐ p¸ ¸  ÐÌ€à  àHe€was€then€asked:Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àa.€€What€did€you€do€that€was€considered€a€violation?ÐÐ ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àAnswer:€I€bought€a€T.V.€from€an€inmate.Шø` x` x ÐÌà  àThis€separation€form€was€signed€January€29,€1999€by€the€petitioner,€John€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô.€€In€hisÐ €Ð Ðtestimony,€Ô_ÔCappelloÔ_Ô€states€that€he€did€not€read€the€form€before€he€signed€it,€and€that€he€did€not€meanÐ l¼ Ðthat€he€actually€bought€a€television€from€an€inmate,€but€that€he€was€accused€of€buying€a€televisionÐ X ¨ Ðfrom€an€inmate.Ð D!” ÐÌà  àThe€rules€of€contract€law€concerning€written€contracts€appear€to€be€equally€applicable€to€anyÐ #l! Ðrepresentation€made€in€a€writing€by€a€party.€€As€our€Supreme€Court€stated€in€ò òòòDe€Ford€v.€NationalÐ $X" ÐLife€&€Accident€Ins.€Co.ó óóó,€185€S.W.2d€617€(Tenn.€1945):Ð ô$D # ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àð ðIt€will€not€do€for€a€man€to€enter€into€a€contract,€and,€whenÐ Ì&"% Ðcalled€upon€to€respond€to€its€obligations,€to€say€that€he€did€not€readÐ ¸'#& Ðit€when€he€signed€it,€or€did€not€know€what€it€contained.€€If€this€wereÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpermitted,€contracts€would€not€be€worth€the€paper€on€which€they€areÐ )à$( Ðwritten.€€But€such€is€not€the€law.€€A€contractor€must€stand€by€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðwords€of€his€contract;€and,€if€he€will€not€read€what€he€signed,€heÐ h+¸&* Ðalong€is€responsible€for€his€omission.ðð€€ò òòòUpton€v.€Ô_ÔTribilcockÔ_Ôó óóó,€91€U.S.Ð ° Ð45,€50,€23€Ô_ÔL.EdÔ_Ô.€203.Мì` x` x ÐÌò òòòId.ó óóó€at€621.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àThis€Court€must€affirm€the€decision€below€if€it€is€supported€by€substantial€and€materialÐ L œ Ðevidence.€€Ô_ÔT.C.A.Ô_Ô€ðð€50„7„304€(Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)(2)(E)€(1999).€€Substantial€and€material€evidence€has€been€definedÐ 8 ˆ Ðas€any€ð ðrelevant€evidence€which€a€reasonable€mind€might€accept€to€support€a€rational€conclusion,Ð $ t Ðand€which€furnishes€a€reasonably€sound€basis€for€the€action€being€reviewed.ðð€€òòò òFrogge€v.€Davenportó óóó,Ð  ` Ð906€S.W.2d€920,€922€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1995)(citing€òòò òSouthern€Railway€Co.€v.€State€Bd.€ofÐ ü L  ÐEqualizationó óóó,€682€S.W.2d€196,€199€(Tenn.€1984)).€€In€òòò òSebastian€v.€Bibleó óóó,€649€S.W.2d€593€(Tenn.Ð è 8  ÐCt.€App.€1983),€the€court€held:Ð Ô$  ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àIn€order€to€sustain€the€Board€of€Reviewððs€application€of€theÐ ¬ü  Ðprovisions€of€the€statute,€we€need€not€find€that€its€construction€is€theÐ ˜è  Ðonly€reasonable€one€or€even€that€it€is€the€result€we€would€haveÐ „Ô  Ðreached€had€the€question€arisen€in€the€first€instance€in€a€judicialÐ pÀ Ðproceeding.€€The€reviewing€courtððs€function€is€severely€limited.€€AllÐ \¬ Ðthat€is€needed€to€support€the€commissionððs€interpretation€is€that€it€hasÐ H˜ Ðwarrant€in€the€record€and€a€reasonable€basis€in€law.€€Ð4„` x` x ÐÌòòId.óó€at€594„95€(citing€òòCawthron€v.€Scottóó,€400€S.W.2d€240,€242€(Tenn.€1966)).€Ð  \ ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€the€order€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed,€and€the€case€is€remanded€for€such€furtherÐ ä4 Ðproceedings€as€are€necessary.€€Costs€of€the€appeal€are€assessed€against€the€appellant,€John€M.Ð Ð  ÐCappello,€and€his€surety.Ô#†X‘XXX‘>Š#ÔÔ#†¼M »XX‘Ö€#ÔÔ€X‘X»¼M ÔÐ ¼  ÐÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à__________________________________________Ð l¼ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àW.€FRANK€CRAWFORD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€W.S.