ALJDEC - Licensing

2022A-10440-CHC-ROC · Registrar of Contractors · 2023-07-25

IN THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

Donald L Smith Jr ,

COMPLAINANT

v.

Jean Johnston

License No. ROC 173434,

RESPONDENT

No. 2022A-10440-CHC-ROC

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DECISION

HEARING: July 7, 2023, 9:00 A.M.

APPEARANCES: No appearance was made on behalf of Complainant; Samuel Dampt, Esq., appeared on behalf of Respondent

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE: Roger Geddes

_____________________________________________________________________

FINDINGS OF FACT

Background and Procedure

1. Complainant did not appear at the hearing; Respondent Jean Johnston appeared. Investigator Jason Simpson appeared on behalf of the Registrar of Contractors.

2. The Notice of Hearing on this matter, dated May 24, 2023, mailed or emailed that day to the parties at their addresses of record, informed the parties that they “must attend the hearing....”

3. Investigator Simpson indicated he had just spoken with Complainant who advised him he would not be attending the hearing.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

1. The copy of the original Notice of Hearing that the Registrar mailed or emailed to Complainant at his address of record was reasonable and Complainant is deemed to have received notice of hearing. A.R.S. §§ 41-1092.4 and 41-1092.05(D).

2. The burden of proof at an administrative hearing falls to the party asserting a claim, right, or entitlement and the standard of proof on all issues in these matters is by preponderance of the evidence. See Arizona Administrative Code Rule 2-19-119. By failing to appear at the hearing, Complainant did not meet the burden to present evidence in support of the Complaint.

RECOMMENDED ORDER

Based on the foregoing, it is recommended that on the effective date of the Registrar of Contractors’ Order, that the Citation and Complaint in Case No. 2022A-10440 shall be dismissed.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1092.08(I), the licensee may accept the Administrative Law Judge Decision by advising the Office of Administrative Hearings in writing not more than ten (10) days after receiving the decision. If the licensee accepts the Administrative Law Judge Decision, the decision shall be certified as the final decision by the Office of Administrative Hearings.

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 will be forty (40) days from the date of that certification.

Done this day, July 25, 2023.

/s/ Roger Geddes

Administrative Law Judge

Transmitted by either mail, e-mail, or facsimile to:

Martín Quezada, Director

Registrar of Contractors

c/o Legal Department

1700 W. Washington Street, Suite 105

Phoenix, AZ 85007

[email redacted]

Donald L Smith Jr

[email redacted]

Jean Johnston

[email redacted]

Samuel Dampt, Esq.

[email redacted]

By: OAH Staff