ÿWPCY 8¶ß;õLبšdÐOr¡‚|ÔБIbõ´*ŠÇ wœLi[‹×;õÃ:yM7,š"*¹³;‰Å ± óžCåHÑY½¼™¹:m(ÐÇ¢Ù9Wñ00op<¸ÞËÎÝŽÑFµ¢ ’ºãlÍè¨Ð»;7!€Ú… :6Ø0‘wîžS²Sú°ý©O‰1Ò—*Èý ³™†—b Ä#Læ‹„jô†£>†?Q‰AbìÅ`9¯gi, i³ïqOΓ¿©Êe8ß?¹Õh…4/Χ»=—¥àg÷e!.dŒzÞó Ǧ¦ù}êÂy‡‹žkøØì3¥FÓðPHèö‘ÍÊCi28Ñ,2ê¾PéÞm¸:=÷ˆ%xé…²U´a³·MȽmW@7œ gÜ€Ÿ¶{à€ÀÞ•®$ €™!ZWÈÊU2…—¾Ö°ù·x¾2Ò 'u‡ |Ãÿ6jy'æAg¬[72‘Mù¤iÇ°[í~8µZ+iüö-þt9Len]‰:Bt÷ô™ø¥±4¿”»ÈHô¥„ðËÖîéfÛF˜¸;O´ ¥|‘J=Ø-*óÞã«*ýFà¾û—¿èfPK¯éQ°ÆO 9öž_W†ßKƒ°ËŠd㿆¡ì5_¡Ûü+fLd#!xUN™ %ç 0(íw 4 - < bD :L ^ † 0P’ â mä Nû ý Æ  Ë U:á á á á á á á á á á á á B                                                    0D8 8 8 8 8 8 8 D5| | A± D?2 BGq AS¸ Æ  0DÑ 0D˜HP LaserJet 8000 Series PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡”@q'3|x- ù- 0Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € ÑDur'L ((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d Ô ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 Ý ƒb¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€XžÒXXXÔÔ€î{XXžÒÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XžÒXî{ÔÐ  ÐÌNovember€17,€1999ÌÌCecil€Crowson,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAxÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular d(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý )ÿÿ!dxdxT^yúÿ  <<= 8ÀÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ____3 TripledxdCTriple 1+| d d dabTc[Eþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÒ€°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ€¼Ou»XXÔÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ  ÑÑ€ &3ÑÓ'€Ð†Xùè“X°œX'Óßx€`[B2.jzÎe`  `€€@ÿEÂA ` 8ttxPúÜ Þ È xßÔ_ÔKENNETH€DARON,à à àà ù à)Ð Ü  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà ù à)ÌÓ6€ü(‚Xù˜‘X€Ð†Xùè“X6Óà Ø àPlaintiff/Appellee,à ù à)à  àAppeal€No.Ð  $ Ðà Ø àà ù à)à  àM1998„00217„COA„R3„CVÐ 6 Ðv.à Ø àà ù à)Ð $H Ðà Ø àà ù à)à  àDavidson€ChanceryÐ 6Z ÐDEPARTMENT€OF€CORRECTIONà ù à)à  àNo.€97„3315€IIÐ Hl Ðand€the€TENNESSEE€CIVIL€à ù à)Ð Z~ ÐSERVICE€COMMISSION,à ù à)Ð l Ðà Ø àà ù à)Ìà Ø àDefendant/Appellant.à ù à)Ð ´  Ðà Ø àà ù àÌÌÌÌÓ  ÓÓ€ÓCOURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÌÌAPPEAL€FROM€THE€DAVIDSON€COUNTY€CHANCERY€COURTÌAT€€NASHVILLE,€TENNESSEEÌÌTHE€HONORABLE€CAROL€McCOY,€CHANCELLORÌÌÌÌÓ€ÓÓ  ÓPAUL€G.€SUMMERSÌAttorney€General€and€ReporterÌÌTRAVENIA€A.€HOLDENÌ425€5th€Avenue€NorthÌCordell€Hull€Building,€Second€FloorÌNashville,€Tennessee€37243„0490Ìà Ø àATTORNEYS€FOR€PLAINTIFF/APPELLEEÌÌÌÌJEFFREY€RAPPUHNÌWillis€&€KnightÌ215€Second€Avenue,€NorthÌNashville,€Tennessee€37201Ìà Ø àATTORNEY€FOR€DEFENDANT/APPELLANTÌÌÐ ;³02 ÐÑ &3Ñâ  âÑ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € Ñâ  âÑ  ÑÌÓ  ÓREVERSED€AND€REMANDEDÐ ‡7×24 ÐÌÌÓ  ÓÌWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ Ï;78¾ ÐÑ &3Ñâ  âÑ8€g XXdìdÈ8ÑÑ€ Ñâ  âÑ  ÑÓ  ÓÔ€„E„»¼=¼ÔòòO€P€I€N€I€O€NóóÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÌÓ€Óà Ø àÔ€¼=¼»„„EÔThe€Department€of€Correction€and€the€Tennessee€Civil€ServiceÐ pÀ ÐCommission€appeal€from€the€action€of€the€Chancery€Court€of€Davidson€CountyÐ  [ Ðin€allowing€attorney€fees€to€Kenneth€Daron€in€judicial€review€of€the€final€orderÐ ¦ ö Ðof€the€Civil€Service€Commission.Ð A ‘ Ðà Ø àà ù àÌà Ø àDaron€worked€as€a€correction€officer€for€the€department€in€its€MiddleÐ wÇ  ÐTennessee€Reception€Center.€€He€was€terminated€by€Warden€David€PoindexterÐ b  Ðfor€violation€of€Department€of€Correction€policy.Ð ­ý  ÐÌà Ø àDaron€pursued€his€remedies€under€the€Tennessee€AdministrativeÐ ã3 ÐProcedures€Act,€òòsee€óóTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðððð€4„5„101,€òòet€seq.;€óóand€the€case€was€heardÐ ~Î ÐDecember€3,€1996,€before€Mattielyn€B.€Williams,€Administrative€Judge,€withÐ i Ðboth€the€Department€of€Correction€and€Kenneth€Daron€represented€by€counsel.€Ð ´ ÐFollowing€this€hearing,€the€Administrative€Law€Judge€made€extensive€findingsÐ OŸ Ðof€fact€and€conclusions€of€law€and€reduced€the€penalty€of€Daron€from€terminationÐ ê: Ðto€a€ten€day€suspension.€€The€Administrative€Law€Judge€denied€the€applicationÐ …Õ  Ðof€Daron€for€attorney€fees€ð ð...€because€grievant€did€not€prevail€on€all€aspects€ofÐ  !p" Ðhis€appeal.ðð€€The€Civil€Service€Commission€approved€all€of€the€findings€of€theÐ »" $ ÐAdministrative€Law€Judge.€€Daron€sought€judicial€review€of€the€refusal€to€grantÐ V$¦& Ðattorney€fees€in€chancery€court.Ð ñ%A!( ÐÌÓ<€ü(‚X¸ ˜‘X€ü(‚Xù˜‘X<Óà Ø àJudicial€review€of€a€final€order€of€the€Civil€Service€Commission€under€theÐ ')w$, ÐAdministrative€Procedures€Act€is€a€limited€review€governed€by€Tennessee€CodeÐ Â*&. ÐAnnotated€section€4„5„322(h).€€The€trial€court€may€reverse€or€modify€the€decisionÐ ],­'0 Ðof€the€commission€or€agency€only€if€the€rights€of€the€petitioner€have€beenÐ ø-H)2 Ðprejudiced€because€the€decision€of€the€commission€is:Ð “/ã*4 ÐÓ€Óà Ø à(1)à ¸ àIn€violation€of€constitutional€or€statutory€provisions;Ð .1~,6 Ðà Ø à(2)à ¸ àIn€excess€of€the€statutory€authority€of€the€agency;Ð @2-7 Ðà Ø à(3)à ¸ àMade€upon€unlawful€procedure;Ð R3¢.8 Ðà Ø à(4)à8 ¸ àArbitrary€or€capricious€or€characterized€by€abuse€ofÐ d4´/9 Ðdiscretion€or€clearly€unwarranted€exercise€of€discretion;Ð v5Æ0: ÐorЈ6Ø1;¸  ¸   Ðà Ø à(5)à8 ¸ àUnsupported€by€evidence€which€is€both€substantial€andÐ š7ê2< Ðmaterial€in€the€light€of€the€entire€record.Ь8ü3=¸  ¸   ÐÐ ¾95> ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€4„5„322(h)(1998).€€This€section€further€provides€that:Ð ° ÐÌà8 Ø àIn€determining€the€substantiality€of€evidence,€the€court€shall€takeÐ Ô$ Ðinto€account€whatever€in€the€record€fairly€detracts€from€its€weight,Ð æ6 Ðbut€the€court€shall€not€substitute€its€judgment€for€that€of€the€agency,Ð øH Ðas€to€the€weight€of€the€evidence€on€questions€of€fact.Ð ZØ ü!Ø ü! ÐÓ€ÓÌÓ<€ü(‚X¸ z ˜‘X€ü(‚X¸ ˜‘X<Óà Ø àThe€Administrative€Law€Judge€made€the€following€extensive€findings€ofÐ ·  Ðfact:Ð R¢  ÐÓ€Óà8 Ø àà ¸ à1.à z àMiddle€Tennessee€Reception€Center,€[(ð ð]MTRCðð)€is€aÐ í=  Ðcorrectional€facility€operated€by€the€Tennessee€Department€ofÐ ÿO  ÐCorrection,€(ð ðDepartmentðð).€€MTRC€receives€felons€who€areÐ a  Ðclassified€and€transferred€to€appropriate€facilities.Ð#sØ ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à2.à z àEmployees€at€MTRC€are€required€by€department€policyÐ 5… Ðand€by€MTRC€Warden€David€Poindexter€to€maintain€a€professionalÐ G— Ðrelationship€with€inmates€at€the€prison,€primarily€for€securityÐ Y© Ðreasons.Ðk»Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à3.à z àWithin€a€prison,€certain€items€are€identified€asÐ }Í Ðð ðcontraband,ðð€and€prohibited€within€the€secure€confines€of€theÐ ß Ðcorrectional€facility.€€Inmates€are€not€allowed€to€have€United€StatesÐ ¡ñ Ðcurrency€in€their€possession.€€Such€ð ðgreen€moneyðð€is€dangerous€inÐ ³ Ðthe€hands€of€an€inmate€because€it€is€an€instrument€of€power€to€carryÐ Å Ðout€illegal€activities,€such€as€drugs,€alcohol,€or€assaults€uponÐ ×' Ðinmates€or€staff.Ðé9Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à4.à z àDepartment€Policy€#305.03,€Employee„Inmate/Ð ûK ÐProbationer/Parolee€Relationships,€requires€in€Paragraph€VI.€B.€Ð  !] ÐThat€an€employee€ð ðcorrect€all€inmates€observed€in€violation€ofÐ "o Ðinstitutional€rules€and€regulations€in€a€fair,€consistent,€and€impartialÐ 1# Ðmanner.ðð€€Under€Paragraph€VI.€D.,€ð ðSocial€relationships€areÐ C$“ Ðprohibited.ðð€à ˜ àà ð àÐU%¥ Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à5.à z àIn€Paragraph€VIE€[sic],€Department€Policy€#305.03Ð g&·!! Ðfurther€provides€that€employees€are€not€to€ð ðcarry,€mail,€pass€orÐ y'É"" Ðthrow€contraband€in€or€out€of€any€correctional€institution.ðð€€TheÐ ‹(Û## Ðmain€purpose€of€the€policy€is€to€keep€contraband€items€from€beingÐ )í$$ Ðbrought€into€the€prison€by€employees.€€Random€frisks€and€metalÐ ¯*ÿ%% Ðdetection€searches€are€conducted.€€When€it€is€suspected€that€anÐ Á+'& Ðemployee€is€in€possession€of€contraband€and€intending€to€enter€theÐ Ó,#(' Ðsecure€confines€of€the€prison,€policy€allows€a€more€intrusive€searchÐ å-5)( Ðof€the€employee.€€That€search€is€conducted€in€a€search€room€in€theÐ ÷.G*) Ðcheck€point€area€of€the€prison€before€the€employee€enters€the€secureÐ  0Y+* Ðconfines€of€the€prison.Ð1k,+Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à6.à z àWhen€an€employee,€is€suspected€of€having€contrabandÐ -2}-, Ðitems€from€an€inmate€that€are€to€be€taken€outside€the€secureÐ ?3.- Ðconfines€of€the€prison,€it€is€the€general€practice€that€the€search€ofÐ Q4¡/. Ðthe€employee€will€not€be€delayed€until€the€employee€leaves€theÐ c5³0/ Ðsecure€confines€of€the€facility.€€Such€an€employee€will€be€searchedÐ u6Å10 Ðprior€to€their€leaving€the€facility.Ї7×21Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à7.à z àOn€or€about€May€23,€1996,€Nurse€Douglas€resigned€herÐ ™8é32 Ðemployment€with€the€Department€and€was€recommended€not€to€beÐ «9û43 Ðrehired€in€that€Department.€€Douglas€resigned€due€to€her€violationÐ ° Ðof€Department€Regulation€305.03,€carrying€on€an€improper€inmate/Ð Â Ðstaff€relationship.ÐÔ$Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à8.à z àOn€Friday,€May€22,€1996,€Correctional€Officer€JosephÐ æ6 ÐMcCool,€found€money€during€a€random€search€of€Inmate€Harlan,Ð øH ÐMcCool€failed€to€properly€confiscate€that€contraband.€€McCoolÐ  Z Ðshould€have€placed€the€contraband€in€an€evidence€bag€and€given€itÐ  l Ðto€a€superior€officer.Ð. ~Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø àà ¸ à9.à z àWhen€McCool€asked€Inmate€Harlan€what€he€was€doingÐ @  Ðwith€the€money,€the€inmate€did€not€reply€but€proceeded€to€call€outÐ R¢  Ðto€Grievant,€Correctional€Officer€I€Kenneth€Daron,€who€was€alsoÐ d´  Ðstanding€on€the€yard.€€Surmising,€based€on€his€experience,€that€theÐ vÆ  Ðmoney€was€for€the€purpose€of€procuring€drugs,€McCool€allowed€theÐ ˆØ  Ðinmate€to€retain€the€money,€in€order€to€not€only€confiscate€theÐ šê  Ðmoney,€but€possibly€to€confiscate€the€drugs€that€he€believed€theÐ ¬ü Ðmoney€was€intended€to€be€used€to€obtain.€€McCool€should€haveÐ ¾ Ðplaced€the€contraband€in€an€evidence€bag€and€given€it€to€a€superiorÐ Ð  Ðofficer.Ðâ2Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€€€10.à z àÔ_ÔMcCoolÔ_Ô€€followed€€Inmate€Harlan€and€Grievant€over€€to€Ð ôD Ðthe€clinic€where€Harlan€and€Grievant€were€engaged€in€conversation.€Ð V ÐMcCool€observed€Harlan€hand€Grievant€some€money€whichÐ h ÐGrievant€appeared€to€place€in€his€own€boot.€€When€McCool€steppedÐ *z Ðinto€the€clinic€and€asked€ð ðWhat€ð!ð€what€is€going€on?ðð,€Grievant€saidÐ <Œ Ðsomething€about€not€being€able€to€keep€his€boots€tied;€the€lacesÐ Nž Ðwere€on€the€floor.€€In€response€to€McCoolððs€inquiry€about€whetherÐ `° Ðthe€money€was€for€pizza€or€perfume,€Grievant€responded,€ð ðHow€doÐ r ÐI€know?ðð€€When€McCool€observed€Grievant€receive€money€from€anÐ „ Ô Ðinmate€and€place€it€into€his€boot,€McCool€felt€the€need€to€report€theÐ –!æ Ðentire€incident€and€no€longer€was€concerned€about€his€own€welfareÐ ¨"ø Ðand€involvement€in€the€scenario.к# Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€11.à z àCaptain€George€Thompson,€wrote€a€letter€in€support€ofÐ Ì$  ÐOfficer€McCoolððs€conduct€in€allowing€the€inmate€to€retain€theÐ Þ%.! Ðmoney,€while€at€the€same€time€monitoring€the€inmateððs€movement.€Ð ð&@"  ÐThompson€disciplined€Officer€McCool€for€conducting€anÐ (R#! Ðunauthorized€investigation.€€McCool€received€a€written€warning€forÐ )d$" Ðnegligence€in€the€performance€of€his€duties,€due€to€his€violation€ofÐ &*v%# ÐTennessee€Department€of€Correction€Policy€#506.15,€ð ðDispositionÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðof€Contrabandðð,€for€failing€to€remove€and€confiscate€the€contrabandÐ J,š'% Ðfrom€the€inmate.€€That€Policy€makes€it€the€ð ðduty€of€each€employeeÐ \-¬(& Ðto€correct€all€inmates€observed€in€violation€of€institutional€rules€andÐ n.¾)' Ðregulations.ððЀ/Ð*(Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€12.à z àThat€same€day,€Al€Rivers,€Internal€Affairs€Investigator,Ð ’0â+) Ðlearned€of€this€contraband€money€incident€from€McCool.€€UponÐ ¤1ô,* Ðarriving,€at€Riversðð€office,€Grievant€asked€Rivers€what€was€goingÐ ¶2.+ Ðon.€€Rivers€asked€Grievant€to€remove€his€boots.€€Finding€no€money,Ð È3/, ÐRivers€informed€Grievant€that,€ð ðI€understand€that€you€have€someÐ Ú4*0- Ðmoney.€€Where€is€it?ðð€€Grievant€replied€that€the€money€was€ð ðin€myÐ ì5<1. Ðpantsðð,€meaning€his€spandex€pants€underneath€his€uniform€pants.€Ð þ6N2/ ÐGrievant€showed€Rivers€the€currency,€two€(2)€folded€twenty€(20)Ð 8`30 Ðdollar€bills.€€At€first,€Grievant€indicated€to€Rivers€that€the€moneyÐ "9r41 Ðwas€his€own.Ð°Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€13.à z àAfter€Rivers€informed€Grievant€that€he€knew€GrievantÐ Â Ðhad€received€the€money€from€Harlan,€Grievant€concurred€andÐ Ô$ ÐGrievant€further€admitted€to€Rivers€that€the€inmate€had€given€theÐ æ6 Ðmoney€to€him,€at€Grievantððs€own€suggestion.ÐøHØ ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€14.à z àRivers€did€not€threaten€Grievant.€€At€the€end€of€hisÐ  Z Ðmeeting€with€Rivers€on€Friday,€May€22,€1996,€Grievant€stated€thatÐ  l Ðhe€did€not€feel€good,€took€off€his€correctional€officer€badge,€statedÐ . ~ Ðthat€he€was€resigning,€and€threw€the€badge€onto€Riversðð€desk.Ð@ Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€15.à z àThat€next€Monday,€May€25,€1996,€Rivers€received€aÐ R¢  Ðtelephone€call€from€Grievant€requesting€another€meeting.€€GrievantÐ d´  Ðindicated€to€Rivers€that€Sonya€Douglas,€an€MTRC€Nurse,€was€the€Ð vÆ  Ðsource€of€the€money.€€Grievant€admitted€to€Rivers€that€the€inmateÐ ˆØ  Ðgave€him€the€money€to€return€to€Nurse€Douglas.€€Grievant€informedÐ šê  ÐRivers€that€it€was€his€desire€to€keep€the€inmate€ð ðout€of€trouble.ðð€Ð ¬ü ÐGrievant€so€testified€at€the€hearing,€as€well.Ð¾Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€16.à z àRiversðð€office€is€located€in€the€Administration€Building,Ð Ð  Ðoutside€the€checkpoint€area€and€marks€the€entrance€into€the€secureÐ â2 Ðconfines€of€the€prison.€€The€search€room€is€also€located€outside€theÐ ôD Ðcheckpoint€area.ÐVØ ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€17.à z àGrievant€worked€in€the€area€of€the€clinic€where€NurseÐ h ÐDouglas€would€have€been€on€duty€on€March€22,€1996€and,Ð *z Ðtherefore,€should€have€been€aware€of€whether€she€was€at€work€thatÐ <Œ Ðday.€€Nurse€Douglas€was€not€at€the€clinic€during€the€time€inÐ Nž Ðquestion.Ð`°Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€18.à z àGrievant€asserted,€at€the€hearing,€that€he€initially€deniedÐ r Ðpossession€of€the€money€to€Rivers€because€of€Riversðð€abusive€tone.Є ÔØ ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€19.à z àOn€April€2,€1996,€Associate€Warden€Perry€met€withÐ –!æ ÐGrievant€and€conducted€a€due€process€hearing.€€Following€the€dueÐ ¨"ø Ðprocess€hearing,€Warden€Perry€reported€his€findings€to€WardenÐ º#  ÐPoindexter.ÐÌ$ Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€20.à z àWarden€Poindexter€disciplined€Grievant€because€heÐ Þ%.! Ðconsidered€that€Grievant,€per€his€own€admission,€became€part€of€aÐ ð&@"  Ðprivate€plan€between€Harlan€and€Grievant€to€ð ðget€rid€ofðð€the€moneyÐ (R#! Ðand€return€it€to€Nurse€Douglas.€€Warden€Poindexter,€in€determiningÐ )d$" Ðthe€appropriate€discipline€to€impose€upon€Grievant,€consideredÐ &*v%# Ðlevels€of€disciplinary€action€available€to€him€as€the€appointingÐ 8+ˆ&$ Ðauthority.ÐJ,š'%Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€21.à z àDepartment€Policy€#305.03,€Paragraph€VI.€E.,€€in€€addiÔ_Ô„Ð \-¬(& ÐtionÔ_Ô€to€prohibiting€the€carrying€of€contraband€into€or€out€of€aÐ n.¾)' Ðprison,€mandates€that€ð ðan€employee€shall€not€trade€or€barter€withÐ €/Ð*( Ðinmates€...€Should€an€employee€have€knowledge€of€any€employeeÐ ’0â+) Ðengaged€in€such€trafficking,€it€is€the€employeeððs€duty€to€report€suchÐ ¤1ô,* Ðinformation€to€his/her€supervisor.ðð€€Paragraph€VI.€F€continuesÐ ¶2.+ Ðð ðEmployees€who€violate€this€policy,€or€fail€to€report€a€violation€ofÐ È3/, Ðthis€policy,€shall€be€subject€€to€disciplinary€action€up€to€andÐ Ú4*0- Ðincluding€termination.ððÐì5<1.Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€22.à z àOn€April€9,€1996,€Warden€Poindexter€notified€GrievantÐ þ6N2/ Ðthat€was€dismissed€Grievant€from€state€employment€for€violation€ofÐ 8`30 ÐDepartment€Policy€#305.03.€€[sic]€€Warden€Poindexter€believed€thatÐ "9r41 ÐGrievant€had€violated€ð ðprofessional€distanceðð€to€the€extent€that€heÐ ° Ðhad€become€the€ð ðweak€link€in€the€chainðð€of€security,€based€uponÐ Â ÐGrievantððs€hiding€and€attempted€transfer€of€the€money€from€InmateÐ Ô$ ÐHarlan€to€Nurse€Douglas.Ðæ6Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€23.à z àBias€has€been€alleged€by€Grievant€in€the€first€four€stepsÐ øH Ðin€the€disciplinary€proceedings,€based€upon€Warden€PoindexterððsÐ  Z Ðstatement€to€Grievant,€to€the€effect€that,€ð ðWe€hate€to€see€you€go.ðð€Ð  l ÐAt€the€hearing,€Warden€Poindexter,€could€not€recall€when€theÐ . ~ Ðstatement€was€made€to€Grievant.€€When€asked€by€GrievantððsÐ @  Ðcounsel€to€assume€that€he€(Warden€Poindexter)€made€the€statementÐ R¢  Ðto€Grievant€prior€to€the€due€process€hearing,€Warden€PoindexterÐ d´  Ðexplained€his€statement,€as€simply€stating€that€the€nature€andÐ vÆ  Ðseriousness€of€the€infractions€alleged,€if€true,€could€lead€toÐ ˆØ  Ðsignificant€discipline.Кê Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€24.à z àAssociate€Warden€Perry€did€recall€having€a€discussionÐ ¬ü Ðwith€second€shift€Captain€George€Thompson€and€Sergeant€JamesÐ ¾ ÐOmntvedt€concerning€vacancies.€€This€discussion€was€held€beforeÐ Ð  ÐAssociate€Warden€Perry€conducted€the€due€process€hearing.€Ð â2 ÐAssociate€Warden€Perry€informed€Thompson€and€Omntvedt€thatÐ ôD Ðð ðthings€donððt€look€good€for€him€(Grievant)€at€this€pointðð€and€mayÐ V Ðhave€stated€something€to€the€effect€that€Grievant€ð ðmay€not€be€hereðð.€Ð h ÐAssociate€Warden€Perry€had€already€taken€advantage€of€theÐ *z Ðopportunity€to€review€the€reports€and€the€statement€which€GrievantÐ <Œ Ðhad€given€to€Internal€Affairs,€admitting€to€committing€the€acts€thatÐ Nž Ðbrought€the€charges€against€him.€€Associate€Warden€Perry€testifiedÐ `° Ðthat€at€no€time€did€he€make€any€statement€during€this€discussionÐ r Ðthat€Grievant€was€definitely€going€to€be€terminated.Є ÔØ ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€25.à z àSergeant€Omntvedt€disputed€Captain€Thompsonððs€andÐ –!æ ÐAssociate€Warden€Perryððs€version€of€what€occurred€during€theirÐ ¨"ø Ðdiscussion.к# Ø ü!Ø ü! Ðà8 Ø à€€€€€€26.à z àApart€from€his€actions€on€March€22,€1996,€Grievant€hadÐ Ì$  Ðreceived€no€other€write„ups,€warnings,€suspensions,€or€otherÐ Þ%.! Ðdisciplining€action€during€his€twenty„one€(21)€months€ofÐ ð&@"  Ðemployment€with€the€Tennessee€Department€of€Correction.Ð(R#!Ø ü!Ø ü! ÐÓ€ÓÌà Ø àA€review€of€the€record€in€this€case€discloses€that€the€above€findings€of€factÐ ¯*ÿ%$ Ðare€supported€ð ðby€evidence€which€is€both€substantial€and€material.ðð€€In€fact,Ð J,š'& ÐDaron€takes€no€serious€issue€with€these€findings.Ð å-5)( ÐÌà Ø àThe€appeal€in€the€chancery€court€as€well€as€in€this€court€is€limited€toÐ 1k,, Ðwhether€or€not€Daron€is€entitled€to€attorney€fees.€€The€statute€governing€the€issueÐ ¶2.. Ðprovides:Ð Q4¡/0 ÐÓ€Óà8 Ø àThe€commission€may,€in€its€discretion,€award€attorneyððs€fees€andÐ ì5<12 Ðcosts€to€a€successfully€appealing€employee.€€Attorneyððs€feesÐ þ6N23 Ðawarded€by€the€commission€shall€be€awarded€at€the€same€ratesÐ 8`34 Ðestablished€for€the€defense€counsel€commission.€€Fees€establishedÐ "9r45 Ðby€this€section€shall€apply€to€disciplinary€actions€consisting€ofÐ ° Ðsuspension€of€ten€(10)€days€or€more,€demotion€or€termination€ofÐ Â Ðemployment.€€Disciplinary€actions€consisting€of€suspensions€of€lessÐ Ô$ Ðthan€ten€(10)€days€and€all€other€grievable€matters€shall€continue€toÐ æ6 Ðfollow€the€schedule€outlined€in€the€rules€of€the€department€forÐ øH Ðreimbursement€of€attorneyððs€fees.Ð ZØ ü!Ø ü! ÐÌTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€8„30„328(f)(1998).Ð . ~ ÐÓ€ÓÌà Ø àThe€chancellor,€in€construing€this€statute,€holds€it€to€be€analogous€to€theÐ Û+  Ðprovisions€of€the€Federal€Civil€Rights€Act€wherein€42€U.S.C.€sec.€1988€providesÐ vÆ  Ðfor€discretionary€allowance€of€attorneyððs€fees€to€the€prevailing€party.Ð a  ÐÌà Ø àNothing€in€section€328(f),€its€pre„enactment€history€or€subsequentÐ G— Ðconstruction€indicates€a€legislative€intent€to€make€its€provisions€analogous€to€aÐ â2 Ðcivil€rights€violation.€€It€is€Kenneth€Daron€in€this€case€who€is€the€transgressor€andÐ }Í Ðnot€the€Department.€€It€is€he€who€knowingly€violated€department€policy€in€aÐ h Ðmanner€sufficient€to€justify€his€termination.€€Far€from€violating€his€civil€rights,Ð ³ Ðboth€the€Administrative€Law€Judge€and€the€Civil€Service€Commission,€actingÐ Nž Ðunder€statutory€provisions€which€commit€primary€jurisdiction€and€broadÐ é9 Ðdiscretion€to€them€and€not€the€courts,€acted€with€mercy€and€compassion€inÐ „ Ô  Ðreducing€Daronððs€punishment€from€termination€to€ten€days€suspension.€€DaronÐ "o" Ðmakes€no€complaint€about€the€procedure€before€the€Administrative€Law€JudgeÐ º# $ Ðor€before€the€Civil€Service€Commission.€€He€simply€complains€that€after€theÐ U%¥ & ÐAdministrative€Law€Judge€and€the€Civil€Service€Commission€reduced€the€penaltyÐ ð&@"( Ðfor€his€own€violation€of€Department€of€Correctionððs€policy,€he€was€victim€to€anÐ ‹(Û#* Ðabuse€of€discretion€by€the€Civil€Service€Commission€in€disallowing€attorney€fees.€Ð &*v%, ÐThe€commission€found€that€Daron€ð ð€...€€committed€several€acts€of€misconduct€€Ð Á+'. Ð...€.ðð€€The€record€contains€substantial€evidence€to€support€this€finding.€€The€sameÐ \-¬(0 Ðcommission,€exercising€the€discretion€vested€in€it€by€the€controlling€statute.Ð ÷.G*2 Ðrefused€to€allow€attorney€fees€to€one€guilty€of€misconduct.€€In€so€acting,€theÐ ’0â+4 Ðcommission€violated€no€constitutional€or€statutory€provision.€€It€did€not€act€inÐ -2}-6 Ðexcess€of€its€statutory€authority.€€It€did€not€act€upon€unlawful€procedure.€€ItsÐ È3/8 Ðdecision€was€not€arbitrary€or€capricious€or€characterized€by€abuse€of€discretionÐ c5³0: Ðor€clearly€unwarranted€exercise€of€discretion.€€Its€decision€was€supported€byÐ þ6N2< Ðevidence€which€is€both€substantial€and€material€in€light€of€the€entire€record.€Ð ™8é3> Їà Ø àFollowing€òòSteven€H.€Norris,€Commissioner€v.€David€M.€Boyntonóó,€1989Ð ° ÐWL€97958€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.),€several€decisions€of€Administrative€Law€Judges,€notÐ K› Ðappealed€to€the€courts.€have€held€that€Tennessee€Code€Annotated€section€8„30„Ð æ6 Ð328(f)€requires€an€employee€to€prevail€in€all€aspects€of€his€appeal€before€he€mayÐ  Ñ Ðbe€awarded€attorney€fees.€€òòDepððt€of€Mental€Health€and€Mental€Retardation€v.Ð  l ÐHerronóó,€No.€26.15„45„0156J,€(Civ.€Serv.€Commððn,€May€16,€1995);€òòDepððt€ofÐ ·   ÐFinance€Administration€v.€Bobbie€Morganóó,€No.€26.09„23„0485J,€(Civ.€Serv.Ð R¢  ÐCommððn,€Mar.€30,€1994);€òòTennessee€Depððt€of€Correction€v.€Baker,€et€al.óó,€No.Ð í=  Ð26.05„0684J€(Civ.€Serv.€Commððn,€Sept.€3,€1996);€òòDepððt€of€Correction€v.€WillieÐ ˆØ  ÐJonesóó,€No.€26.05„34„0425J€(Civ.€Serv.€Commððn,€Feb.€24,€1995)€€and€òòRaymondÐ #s ÐBickford€v.€Depððt€of€Correctionóó,€No.€26.05„56„0885J€(Civ.€Serv.€Commððn,€Dec.Ð ¾ Ð16,€1998).Ð Y© ÐÌà Ø àòòNorris€v.€Boyntonóó€involved€a€case€of€an€Administrative€Law€JudgeÐ ß Ðreinstating€an€employee€of€Taft€Youth€Center€following€his€acquittal€on€trial€forÐ *z Ðselling€drugs€which€had€formed€the€basis€for€his€dismissal€from€state€service.€Ð Å ÐHis€reinstatement€was€by€an€agreed€order€which€reserved€questions€of€back€payÐ `°  Ðand€attorney€fees.€€The€Administrative€Law€Judge€disallowed€back€pay€andÐ ûK" Ðattorney€fees€but€was€reversed€by€the€Civil€Service€Commission.€€TheÐ –!æ$ ÐCommissioner€of€Corrections€appealed€to€the€Davidson€County€Chancery€CourtÐ 1#& Ðwhich€affirmed€the€order€of€the€Civil€Service€Commission.€€The€Court€ofÐ Ì$ ( ÐAppeals€reversed€the€chancellor€holding€that€the€original€decision€to€terminateÐ g&·!* ÐBoynton€was€supported€by€substantial€evidence€and€that€both€the€Civil€ServiceÐ (R#, ÐCommission€and€the€trial€court€erred€in€allowing€attorney€fees.€€Whether€òòBoyntonóóÐ )í$. Ðis€properly€construed€in€the€above€cases€not€appealed€to€the€courts€is€a€questionÐ 8+ˆ&0 Ðnot€necessary€to€the€decision€in€this€case.€€Daron€clearly€violated€Department€ofÐ Ó,#(2 ÐCorrectionððs€policy.€€The€Civil€Service€Commission,€in€its€discretion,€refused€toÐ n.¾)4 Ðaward€attorney€fees.€€In€so€ruling,€it€has€not€abused€the€discretion€vested€in€it€byÐ  0Y+6 ÐTennessee€Code€Annotated€section€8„30„328(f).Ð ¤1ô,8 ÐÌà Ø àThe€judgment€of€the€chancellor€is€reversed€and€the€case€is€remanded€to€theÐ Ú4*0< Ðchancery€court€for€such€further€proceedings€as€may€be€necessary.€€Costs€of€theÐ u6Å1> Ðappeal€are€assessed€against€the€appellee.Ð 8`3@ ÐÐ «9û4B ÐÓ€ÓÌÓ?€ü(‚X¸ z ìðX€ü(‚X¸ z ˜‘X?Óà Ø àà ¸ àà z àà ì à___________________________________Ð Â Ðà Ø àà ¸ àà z àà ì àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ Ô$ ÐÌÌCONCUR:Ð  Z ÐÌÌ______________________________________Ð @  ÐBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€P.J.,€M.S.Ð R¢  ÐÌÌ______________________________________Ð ˆØ  ÐWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEà ð à