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RICHARD ANAYA, Plaintiff-Appellant
vs.
CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE et al. and ARTHUR BLUMENFELD, Defendants-Appellees.
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Issues:
Drug testing, public employee, policy and procedure, due process, Open Meetings Act
Case Summary:
Richard Anaya and several other former employees of the City of Albuquerque appeal a lower court's ruling concerning their case against the city. Anaya and the others were dismissed after posting positive results in mandatory drug tests. The group filed suit, alleging that city officials violated the state's Open Meetings Act when they developed the drug testing program behind closed doors. The workers asked to be reinstated to their former positions. The city responded with a motion for summary judgment.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
The District Court of Bernalillo County
Outcome:
A split decision. The New Mexico Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part. The appeals court affirmed the summary judgment dismissing Anaya's complaint on the violation of the Open Meetings Act. However, the court reversed the lower jurisdiction on all other claims.