Social Security Administrative Law Judge Loses Removal Appeal

A judge with the Social Security Administration lost a Federal Circuit appeal to have his removal order reversed, after he was found to have neglected his duties and engaged in conduct unbecoming of an administrative law judge.

Michael L. Levinson had challenged the Merit Systems Protection Board’s decision that the SSA had proved its charges of misconduct, and that good cause existed for removal from his position.

Allegations against him include “deficiencies in multiple areas” of his decisions, as well as incidents in which he raised his voice, became upset and started shaking when confronting another administrative law judge about ...