Evelyn B. Melnick, Petitioner, v. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Respondent, 899 F.2d 1228 (Fed. Cir. 1990)

DECISION

The decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board, Docket No. DE04328810211, sustaining the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) removal of petitioner for unacceptable performance of her duties, is affirmed.

OPINION

The scope of review of Board decisions is limited by statute. The Board's decision must be affirmed unless it is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, otherwise not in accordance with law, obtained without procedures required by law, or unsupported by substantial evidence. 5 U.S.C. § 7703(c); Covington v. Department of Health and Human Services, 750 F.2d 937, 941 (Fed. Cir. 1984).

In its decision the Board found, inter alia, that the performance standard was valid for the non-routine special tasks component of a critical element of Ms. Melnick's position, that HUD proved that Ms. Melnick performed unacceptably under that standard, and that her removal was therefore warranted. The Board also concluded that Ms. Melnick failed to substantiate her allegations of harmful procedural error.

While there was conflicting testimony, we conclude that there was substantial evidence to support the Board's decision. The decision is not arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion, or obtained without procedures required by the applicable law.