Long Island Legal News: March 2009

Financial Fraud

* Charles Silveira, 38, of Seaford, has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey claiming that he was swindled out of $250,000 by a psychic. (NJ.com, Washington Post, March 9, 2009)

* Dunn & Bradstreet, the business information firm, has been sued for misleading the public about Agape World. (Newsday, March 9, 2009)

* A former Suffolk County legislator and others have been indicted for a Westhampton mortgage fraud scheme. (NY POST)

* Long Island Business News caught up in fraud suit between small business associations. (Exception Magazine, March 12, 2009)

* Judge freezes Madoff’s brother’s assets. (Forbes).

* Bank of America has been implicated in aiding the Agape World Ponzi scheme. (NY Times).

Legal Profession

* Appellate Division appointments, (Media Newswire, March 9, 2009)

* Ex-partner allowed to keep buyout compensation. (The American Lawyer,March 9, 2009)

* Long Island civil lawsuits filings have shown a 25% increase so far this year when compared to last. (LIBN)(Riverhead News)(Riverhead News)

Discrimination

* African-American man beaten in Nassau County bodega, authorities are considering charging a hate crime. (Newsday, March 12, 2009)

* According to a study by the Syosset-based group Erase Racism, Long Island is the third most racist suburban region in the Country. (NY Times).

Government and Politics

* Former Nassau County Parks and Recreation worker wins $1 Million for political firing. (Newsday, March 11, 2009) (and here).

* Suffolk County sues to recover ownership of homeless shelters (Newsday, March 12, 2009).

* Suffolk County police sued for wrongful death by drug suspect who was allegedly beaten to death with flashlights. (Newsday, March 12, 2009)

* “Emergency Responders Law Takes Wrong Turn,” (Elmira Star-Gazette, March 8, 2009),

* Suffolk County lays off hundreds of workers. (Newsday, March 24, 2009).

* A state court judge has allowed NYC’s suit against Long Island’s Poospatuck Indian tribe, to force them to start collecting sales tax on cigarettes, to go forward. (NY 1, March 16, 2009; Examiner.com)

* Martin Tankleff has sued Suffolk County (Newsday)(Newsday)

Environment

* Following Suffolk County’s ban on BPA in sippy cups and baby bottles due to possible harmful side-effects of the plastic additive seeping into food, the nation’s top six baby bottle manufacturers have agreed to stop using the additive in manufacturing nationwide. (Living the Science, CA, March 9, 2009).

* Suffolk County arrests in illegal reptile trade. (Rochester Democrat & Chronicle)

Real Estate

* Trump owes rent on Jones Beach site, (Newsday, March 9, 2009).

* East end real estate industry accused of anti-competitive practices. (27 East, March 17, 2009).

Sex and Scandal

* The State is contemplating a bill that would allow victims of childhood sexual abuse, whose cases would otherwise be time barred, one year to bring any such claims, and would extend that limitations period on future cases to 10 years from the child’s 18^th birthday. The diocese of Rockville Center has opposed the bill, arguing that the flood of sex abuse cases might bankrupt the diocese. (Newsday, March 14, 2009).

* Town of Riverhead has filed a lawsuit to stop a sex offender trailer park from being placed there. (27 East)

Employment

* 10 Nurses who were criminally prosecuted by the Suffolk County District Attorneys office in retaliation for a labor strike that left a nursing home understaffed have filed a notice of claim against the county, apparently preparing for a lawsuit. (Newsday).

* A long island man has sued his former employer, claiming he was pressured to sleep with a client. (NY Post, March 15, 2009).

* Adelphi University has settled a sex discrimination lawsuit alleging that they unfairly paid women less than men for the same work. (Chronicle of Higher Education).

Misc.

* Long Island Students file defamation suit against former classmates and Facebook. (Student Press Law Center, VA, March 11, 2009), and here.