1. Framing Charges
 

a. The Focus on Notice

Otero v. USPS , 73 MSPR 198 (1997)

Alexander v. DOJ **(4/7/98), available from MSPB web site
 

b. A Less Legalistic Analysis: Approval of General-Label Charges

Otero v. USPS , 73 MSPR 198 (1997)

LaChance v. MSPB (Crouse), 147 F.3d 1367 (Fed. Cir. 1998)
 

c. The Risk in General-Label Charges

Caronia v. DOJ, 78 MSPR 201 (1998) 
 

d. Continued Loosening

Robb v. DOD, 77 MSPR 130 (1998) 

Els v. Army, 82 MSPR 27 (1999)

Picariello v. USPS, 80 MSPR 126 (1998)

James v. Air Force , 73 MSPR 300 (1997)

Hawkins v. Smithsonian, 73 MSPR 397 (1997)

Acree v. Treasury, 80 MSPR 73 (1998)
 

e. Allowing Flexibility in Structuring Charges

Schifano v. DVA, 70 MSPR 275 (1996)
 

f. But Still Scrutinizing the Wording of the Charge

Jaramillo v. Army, 81 MSPR 469 (1999) 

Hanna v. DOL, 80 MSPR 294 (1998)

Mann v. DHHS , 78 MSPR 1 (1998)

Caronia v. DOJ, 78 MSPR 201 (1998) 

Acox v.USPS , 76 MSPR 111 (1997)

 
g. Endorsing Alternatives to Intent Charges

McCarty v. Navy , 67 MSPR 177 (1995)

Mesberg v. USDA, No. 99-3022 (Fed. Cir. 1999) (NP*)

Mann v. DHHS, 78 MSPR 1 (1998)

 
h. Having It Both Ways: A Reduced Charge Burden with More Bang in Penalty ?

Hamilton v. USPS, 71 MSPR 547 (1996)
 
 

2. Proving Charges
 

a. Insubordination v. Failure to Follow Orders

Hamilton v. USPS, 71 MSPR 547 (1996)

Botto v. USPS, 75 MSPR 471 (1997)

Haebe v. DOJ, 81 MSPR 167 (1999)

Eichner v. USPS, 83 MSPR 202 (1999)
 

b. Falsification 

No right to lie or falsely deny during an investigation

LaChance v. Erickson, 118 S.Ct. 753 (1998) 

Brogan v. U.S., 118 S.Ct. 805 (1998) 

Lying on Application Charges / Douglas Still Applies

Perez v. USPS , 75 MSPR 503 (1997) 

McComb v. USPS, No. 99-3077 (Fed. Cir. 1999)(NP*)

Many Distinctions for Penalty Purposes

Perez v. USPS , 75 MSPR 503 (1997) 

McComb v. USPS, No. 99-3077 (Fed. Cir. 1999)(NP*) 

Robertson v. DOJ, 81 MSPR 658 (1999)

House v. USPS, 80 MSPR 138 (1998)
 

c. Physical Inability to Perform

Spencer v. Navy, 73 MSPR 15 (1997)

Yates v. USPS, 70 MSPR 172 (1996)

Schrodt v. USPS, 79 MSPR 609 (1998)
 

d. Vehicle Misuse

Kimm v. Treasury , 61 F.3d 888 (Fed. Cir. 1995)

Chufo v. Interior, 45 F.3d 419 (Fed.Cir. 1995) 

Fischer v. Treasury, 69 MSPR 614 (1996)
 

e. Threats

"Threats" During Counseling

Powell v. DOJ, 73 MSPR 29 (1997)

Larry II v. DOJ, 73 MSPR 348 (1997)

See also Daigle v. DVA, 84 MSPR 625 (1999)

Strict Application of Metz

Castner v. USPS, 77 MSPR 393 (1998)

The Way to Prove a Threat Charge

Shaw v. Air Force, 80 MSPR 98 (1998)
 

f. Attendance

More "Excessive Leave" Charges

Allen v. Army , 76 MSPR 564 (1997)

Cole v. DVA , 77 MSPR 434 (1998)

Holderness v. DCA, 75 MSPR 401 (1997)

Family and Medical Leave Act Claims

Burge v. Air Force, 82 MSPR 75 (1999)

Ramey v. USPS, 70 MSPR 463 (1996)

Crutchfield v. Navy, 73 MSPR 444 (1997) 

Ellshoff v. Interior, 76 MSPR 54 (1997)

Joos v. Treasury, 74 MSPR 684 (1997)

Gross v. DOJ, 77 MSPR 83 (1997)

Haire v. USPS, No. 97 - 3262 (Fed. Cir. 1997)(NP*)

Gardner v. USPS, 79 MSPR 256 (1998) 

Jefferies v. Navy, 78 MSPR 255 (1998)

Young v. USPS, 79 MSPR 25 (1998)

Sick Leave and Incapacitation

House v. USPS, 80 MSPR 138 (1998)
 

g. Failure To Cooperate in an Agency Investigation

Milner v. DOJ, 77 MSPR 37 (1997)
 

h. Theft / Conversion

Charging a violation of a statute

Mann v. DHHS , 78 MSPR 1 (1998)

"Mens rea" as an element of theft

Peck v. DOD, 75 MSPR 244 (1997)
 

i. Sexual Harassment

The reasonable woman standard

Special Counsel v. Eubanks , 76 MSPR 405 (1997)

The double presumption: hostile environment, nexus

Pope v. USPS, 114 F.3d 1144 (Fed.Cir. 1997)

 
j. Unauthorized Use of Government Property

Buniff v. Agriculture , 79 MSPR 118 (1998)
 
 
 

k. Conviction

Czubinski v. Treasury, 76 MSPR 552 (1997)

Pawn v. USDA, 82 MSPR 284 (1999) 
 

l. Performance / Chapter 75

Shorey v. Army, 77 MSPR 239 (1998)

Vidal v. USPS , 143 F.3d 145 (Fed. Cir. 1998)