E PUBLIC HEARING

A public hearing is conducted by a Hearing Officer In the hearing, testimony is taken under oath, recorded by a court reporter and documents are introduced as exhibits. A complainant is represented by an Assistant Attorney General and may also retain a private attorney. A respondent is almost always represented by private counsel. The Hearing Officer issues a ruling which may be affirmed, reversed, or modified by the seven member Commission.

The beginning public hearing inventory was fifteen (15) cases. During FY 1984, four (4) public hearings were held. Also, four (4) cases were settled prior to public heating which resulted in obtaining $25,269.91 in benefits for complainants. Fifteen (15) cases still remained in the inventory at the end of FY 1984.