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March 24, 2006
Judges To Decide if Agency Can Rehire Lawyer Banned From Atlantic Yards Project
The NY Sun
By David Lombino
Report from yesterday's appeals court hearing:
The state’s lawyer, Douglas Kraus, said yesterday that Mr. Paget’s role with the state would not include decision-making, and that opponents could challenge the state on its final determination on the project, but not on whom it hires as a lawyer.
A lawyer for Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, Jeffrey Baker, asked the court to uphold Mr. Paget’s ban, saying doing so would serve to regain the public’s trust in the state review process.
One judge said Mr. Paget’s dual roles gave the appearance of impropriety but on a deeper level might not be a conflict of interest. Another judge said the more appropriate forum for a challenge by opponents would come after the state’s decision.
After the hearing, Mr. Paget told reporters: “We’re lawyers. We abide by the law.”
Pending the outcome of the case, the state has hired a “provisional counsel” to avoid any delay on the project.
Posted by lumi at March 24, 2006 8:13 AM