ALJDEC decisions subject to certification as final

07F-M2063-ROC · Registrar of Contractors · 2008-01-30

STATE OF ARIZONA IN THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

HEARING: January 30, 2008 APPEARANCES: Complainant: Complainant failed to appear either by authorized representative or counsel. Respondent: Benjamin Joseph Lopez, corporate officer and qualifying party, appeared and was represented by counsel, Michael Fatta. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE: Brian E. Smith _____________________________________________________________________ Base on the entire record in this matter, the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommended Order are made:

FINDINGS OF FACT 1. This matter convened for hearing at the time, date and place set forth in the Registrar of Contractors’ Notice of Hearing dated December 28, 2007. Although the start of the scheduled hearing was delayed over fifteen (15) minutes to afford time in which to make an appearance, Complainant did not appear either through any authorized representative or counsel. 2. As is evident by its non-appearance, Complainant presented no evidence at the hearing in support of the allegations set forth in the complaint. 3. Given Complainant’s non-appearance, Respondent’s counsel, Michael Fatta, moved to dismiss the complaint for failure to prosecute.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. Upon the failure of a party to appear at a hearing, the Administrative Law Judge may issue a default decision. 2. Complainant, by the aforementioned default in appearance at the hearing, failed to sustain the required burden of proving the charges set forth in the complaint by a preponderance of reliable, substantial and probative evidence. Consequently, the record does not support any finding that Respondent has violated the provisions of A.R.S. §32-1154A, as charged in the instant Citation.

RECOMMENDED ORDER In view of the foregoing, and in light of the lack of prosecution by Complainant, IT IS RECOMMENDED that the entire CITATION AND COMPLAINT in Case No. M07-2063 be dismissed.[1] Done this day, January 30, 2008.

_______________________ Brian E. Smith Administrative Law Judge

Original transmitted by mail this ____ day of ____________, 2008, to:

Registrar of Contractors Fidelis V. Garcia 3838 N. Central Ave., Ste. 400 Phoenix, AZ 85012-1906 By ________________________ ----------------------- [1] In the event of certification of the Administrative Law Judge Decision by the Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings, the effective date of the Order in this matter will be forty (40) days from the date of that certification.

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Office of Administrative Hearings 1400 West Washington, Suite 101 Phoenix, Arizona 85007 (602) 542-9826