The workers' compensation judge (WCJ) held Runnion in contempt and sanctioned him for failing to appear at a scheduled hearing. We question holding Runnion in contempt in this situation, where he was not directly ordered to appear for the neglected hearing. When Evans called Runnion by telephone from the hearing location, Runnion advised her he had no intention of appearing and that if she wanted the information, she could depose Gore. The WCJ concluded Runnion had no valid reason for failing to appear and fined him $250 for contempt. TIMEC directs our attention to no order requiring Runnion to attend the hearing and no agreement by Runnion to appear for the conference/hearing.

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