BEFORE THE

STATE OF FLORIDA

COMMISSION ON ETHICS

In re MIRIAM ALONSO, )

)

Respondent. ) Complaint No. 93-62

) Final Order No. COE ____

)

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FINAL ORDER AND PUBLIC REPORT

This matter came before the Commission on Ethics on the Recommended Order rendered in this matter on January 27, 1995 by the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) [a copy of which is attached and incorporated by reference]. The Hearing Officer recommends that the Commission enter a final order and public report finding that the Respondent did not violate Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, and dismissing the complaint. Neither the Respondent nor the Advocate filed exceptions to the Recommended Order.

Under Section 120.57(1)(b)10, Florida Statutes, an agency may reject or modify the conclusions of law and interpretations of administrative rules contained in the recommended order. However, the agency may not reject or modify findings of fact made by the Hearing Officer unless a review of the entire record demonstrates that the findings were not based on competent, substantial evidence or that the proceedings on which the findings were based did not comply with the essential requirements of law. See, e.g., Freeze v. Dept. of Business Regulation, 556 So.2d 1204 (Fla. 5th DCA 1990); and Florida Department of Corrections v. Bradley, 510 So.2d 1122 (Fla. 1st DCA 1987). Competent, substantial evidence has been defined by the Florida Supreme Court as such evidence as is "sufficiently relevant and material that a reasonable mind would accept it as adequate to support the conclusions reached." DeGroot v. Sheffield, 95 So.2d 912, 916 (Fla. 1957).

The agency may not reweigh the evidence, resolve conflicts therein, or judge the credibility of witnesses, because those are matters within the sole province of the hearing officer. Heifetz v. Dept. of Business Regulation, 475 So.2d 1277, 1281 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985). Consequently, if the record of the DOAH proceedings discloses any competent, substantial evidence to support a finding of fact made by the Hearing Officer, the Commission is bound by that finding.

The Commission makes the following findings, conclusions, rulings, and recommendations:

Findings of Fact

The Findings of Fact set forth in the Recommended Order are approved, adopted, and incorporated herein by reference.

Conclusions of Law

1. The Conclusions of Law set forth in the Recommended Order are approved, adopted, and incorporated herein by reference.

2. The Commission finds that the Respondent, Miriam Alonso, did not violate Section 112.313(6), Florida Statutes, as alleged in this matter.

Therefore, this complaint is dismissed.

ORDERED by the State of Florida Commission on Ethics meeting in public session on Thursday, April 20, 1995.

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Date Rendered

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R. Terry Rigsby

Chairman

THIS ORDER CONSTITUTES FINAL AGENCY ACTION. ANY PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS ORDER HAS THE RIGHT TO SEEK JUDICIAL REVIEW UNDER SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES, BY FILING A NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL PURSUANT TO RULE 9.110, FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE, WITH THE CLERK OF THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS, 2822 REMINGTON GREEN CIRCLE, SUITE 101, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32308; OR P. O. DRAWER 15709, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32317-5709; AND BY FILING A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF APPEAL ACCOMPANIED BY THE APPLICABLE FILING FEES WITH THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL. THE NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE THIS ORDER IS RENDERED.

cc: Mr. Charles Gener, Attorney for Respondent

Ms. Miriam Alonso, Respondent

Ms. Virlindia Doss, Commission Advocate

Mr. Jorge L. Gonzalez, Complainant

Division of Administrative Hearings