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67 ii. any interest in the matter, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, which will impair the independent judgment of the hearing officer; or iii. displayed bias or partiality to any party to the hearing. 2. The hearing officer may independently determine to remove himself or herself from presiding at a hearing on the grounds set forth in paragraph (1) of this subdivision. 3. The request for removal made by a party must: i. be made in good faith; and ii. be made at the hearing in writing or orally on the record; and iii. describe in detail the grounds for requesting that the hearing officer be removed. 4. Upon receipt of a request for removal, the hearing officer must determine on the record whether to remove himself or herself from the hearing. 5. If the hearing officer determines not to remove himself or herself from presiding at the hearing, the hearing officer must advise the party requesting removal that the hearing will continue but the request for removal will automatically be reviewed by the general counsel of OTDA or the general counsel's designee. 6. The determination of the hearing officer not to remove himself or herself will be reviewed by the general counsel of OTDA or the general counsel's designee. Such review will include review of written documents submitted by the parties and the transcript of the hearing. 7. The general counsel of OTDA or the general counsel's designee must issue a written determination of whether the hearing officer should be removed from presiding at the hearing within 15 business days of the close of the hearing. 8. The written determination of the general counsel or the general counsel's designee will be made part of the record. 18 NYCRR 358-5.7 Who may be present at the fair hearing. The following persons may be present at a fair hearing: (a) the appellant who has requested the fair hearing; (b) the appellant's representative; (c) counsel or other representatives of the social services agency; (d) witnesses of either party and any who may be called by the hearing officer; (e) an interpreter; and (f) any other person admitted at the hearing officer's discretion, with the consent of the appellant. 18 NYCRR 358-5.8 Media admission to fair hearing.