ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
01-2-7339 In the Matter of Salahuddin, Atlantic City, App. Div. (per curiam) (14 pp.) Salahuddin appealed the final administrative action of the Civil Service Commission upholding his demotion by the City of Atlantic City from the position of Assistant Youth Opportunity Coordinator to Community Service Aide and rejecting the ALJ’s finding that the demotion was done in bad faith. The panel reversed and remanded, finding that although the city was facing economic difficulties at the time of the demotion and layoffs, Salahuddin presented ample evidence to demonstrate that he was demoted in bad faith because of his political opposition to the mayor and the commission’s conclusion that there was nothing in the record to support a finding of political retaliation ignored compelling record evidence and was so wide of the mark that reversal was warranted. The panel also found that the commission improperly relied on evidence outside the record to conclude that Salahuddin’s demotion resulted in savings. It granted Salahuddin’s motion for attorney fees for proceedings before the commission. It declined to consider attorney fees for the appeal until an appropriate motion was made.
