In Taxi and Limousine Comm'n v. F.B., OATH Index No. 3086/23, the driver was arrested based on a complaint by his estranged wife. The charge was criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor. The wife alleged that she got into an argument with he husband when they met in front of their home (where the wife still lived). The wife told the police that he husband became frustrated with her and grabbed her neck and applied pressure. But the wife did not lose consciousness, admitted she was in no pain and sustained no injury. Dan Ackman represented the driver.
F.B. testified fully about the incident. He denied choking his wife. But he also testified that he and his wife have had an acrimonious relationship since their separation, mostly related to issues concerning their two small children, one who has autism. He added that on the day in question, his wife was with their children in her apartment. She telephoned respondent in the morning, and he heard their older child “crying” and “screaming.” She said that she could not control the children and needed respondent's help and asked him to come to the house. He said that he would come and bring their son's tablet, which he loves to play with, as well as a toy stroller. That was the only reason he was even at their former home.
OATH Judge Lewis recommended reinstatement. While OATH is required to assume the arrest charges are "true," the judge noted that the driver denied assaulting or choking his wife. The charges also involved off-duty misconduct, making any potential threat to the public less “direct. In addition, the police report noted that there was no visible injury and no pain. Nor was there any indication escalating violence or that the wife had previously filed domestic charges. Thus, "The undisputed evidence [was] that the driver had never been arrested before. That he was a good driver without any passenger complaints further suggests that this was an isolated incident in an otherwise law-abiding life.
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Feb 15, 2022 |
Even minor domestic disputes can lead to arrests. While such charges rarely result in convictions, the TLC still routinely argues that drivers should remain suspended not just briefly, but for months while criminal charges are pending. Taxi & Limousine Comm'n v. Lei, OATH Index No. 790/22 (Nov. 1...
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Feb 15, 2022 |
In Taxi & Limousine Comm'n v. Anthony, OATH Index No. 715/22 (Nov. 22, 2021), an Uber driver was suspended after being arrested on a charge of criminal mischief, which sounds rather innocent, but is actually a low level felony. The charge arose from a dispute between housemates. One roommate dema...
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Jan 15, 2022 |
Driver reinstated despite strangulation charge.
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Dec 03, 2021 |
ALJ urged reinstatement, concluding that the driver’s testimony was consistent, detailed and corroborated.
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Dec 02, 2021 |
Mosque Tussle Does Not Merit Suspension
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Dec 01, 2021 |
ALJ finds assault was an accident and true remorse
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Nov 30, 2021 |
OATH recommends reinstatement of cabbie who is also a veterinarian
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Nov 10, 2021 |
OATH judge recommended reinstatement following a suspension based on an arrest for a high level drug charge.
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Oct 06, 2021 |
Driver Reinstated Based on testimony he acted in self defense
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Oct 01, 2021 |
Driver reinstated despite felony arrest
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Oct 01, 2021 |
TLC suspension extended where charge was money laundering.
Posted by Daniel Ackman | Jul 15, 2021 |
In Taxi & Limousine Comm'n v. Zagre, a driver was arrested after being accused of assault by a passenger and was then suspended by the TLC. This kind of scenario seems to be the worst for a driver. Still, OATH recommended reinstatement based on credible evidence showing that it was the driver who...