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February 14, 2006
Judge won't block demolitions, disqualifies ESDC lawyer who worked for Ratner
TimesRatnerReport
Breaking news on the judge's ruling on the first lawsuit filed in the Atlantic Yards fight:
After a lively and contentious three-hour hearing today, Supreme Court Justice Carol Edmead denied a lawsuit by Atlantic Yards plan opponents to stop developer Forest City Ratner from demolishing five properties within the project footprint. Edmead also gave those opponents a partial victory, ruling that David Paget, a lawyer reviewing the project for the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), should be removed from the case because he formerly worked on the project for Forest City Ratner. Lawyers did not immediately announce an appeal, though Edmead as much as invited one on the latter issue.
...
Edmead enjoined the ESDC from taking further action that requires Paget's services until new counsel is engaged, within 45 days. However, she also said from the bench, "I don't doubt that the court's determination may not stand, but I believe the objective public interest standard has not been met. Paget should not be in a dual role. It has such a severe, crippling appearance of impropriety."
Posted by lumi at February 14, 2006 2:30 PM