Was City Civil Service Board Required to Follow Ohio Rules of Evidence In Conducting Administrative Hearing?

Fired Firefighter Argues Board's Rules Barred Admission of 'Hearsay' Testimony

Ronald L. Royse v. City of Dayton, et al., Case no. 2011-1477

Second District Court of Appeals (Montgomery County)

ISSUE: In conducting an administrative hearing at which it approved the termination of a city employee, did the Dayton Civil Service Board commit reversible error by admitting "hearsay" testimony by two city officials about the employee's drug test results and the testing procedures used by third-party contractors who conducted those tests on behalf of the city?