(a) The Executive Officer or the assigned ALJ shall possess the requisite discretion to direct that separate, reasonably related cases be consolidated into a single hearing. Whenever two or more cases are consolidated, the assigned administrative law judge shall permit the parties a reasonable opportunity to conduct discovery prior to the first scheduled hearing date, if the discovery provisions set forth in sections 59.1 through 59.4 are negatively impacted by the consolidation.

(b) In those cases where one or more individually named Respondents have been joined in the consolidated hearing, the administrative law judge may, in his or her discretion, make such orders as may appear just in order to prevent any named Respondent from being embarrassed, delayed, or put to undue expense, and may order separate hearings or make such other order as the interests of justice may require.

(c) In those cases where an appeal from adverse action, rejection during probationary period, medical action, or non-punitive action is consolidated with a whistleblower retaliation complaint, and the whistleblower retaliation complaint identifies specifically named individuals against whom damages or adverse action is sought pursuant to the provisions of section 67.2(c), each individually named Respondent shall have the right to participate in the consolidated hearing in such a manner as to reasonably defend him or herself against the allegations contained in the whistleblower retaliation complaint. These rights shall include, but not be limited to: