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January 23, 2006
Eminent Domain’s Third Rail: Attorney Conflicts
NJEminentDomain.com
Attorney Bill Ward explains the trouble with the conflict of interest when Ratner's attorney for the Atlantic Yards project starts working for the State on the same project:
The more serious issue in the lawsuit points to an insider deal with blatant conflicts among attorney David Paget who has represented FCR (the developer) and also represents Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), the lead environmental agency for the SEQRA review of project with respect to Ratner’s efforts to demolish the six buildings in the project area.
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New York Observer's The Real Estate obtained a document through a FOI request showing FCR actually recommended Paget’s lawfirm to the ESDC in a letter dated Feb 18, 2004. This is more than the appearance of conflict, this is actual conflict and taints the entire process. This puts the fox in charge of the chicken coop. [emphasis added]
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The attorney conflict is important, and the public must have complete faith in the process, especially where a project of this size is being undertaken with the myriad impacts that it will have on downtown Brooklyn.
Posted by lumi at January 23, 2006 7:58 AM