NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller

Comptroller’s audit finds that HPD’s collection efforts did not result in the collection of the vast majority of the money judgments referred to its Judgment Enforcement Unit. On November 17, 2016, the Office of the City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report of an audit of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The audit sought to evaluate HPD’s efforts in collecting outstanding money judgments resulting from assessed penalties. (read more…)

Illustration: Jeff Hopkins.

When municipalities are sued in tort, two of the most powerful bars to recovery are the public duty principle and the governmental function immunity defense. When these two principles are applicable, the City will not be made to pay compensation even if a City employee had been negligent and caused an injury. (read more…)

Anthony Crowell, Dean and President of New York Law School, Zachary Carter, Corporate Counsel of NYC, and Ross Sandler, Director of the Center for NYC Law.

On Friday, April 11, 2014, the Center for New York City Law, at New York Law School hosted a City Law Breakfast, featuring Zachary Carter, Corporation Counsel for the City of New York, as the guest speaker. Mr. Carter’s speech was entitled, “The Law Department-Future Plans.” (read more…)

The Center for New York City Law,
Dean Anthony W. Crowell &
Professor Ross Sandler

cordially invites you to a City Law Breakfast presenting

Zachary Carter

Corporation Counsel for the City of New York

speaking on

The Law Department – Future Plans

✱✱✱

DATE:
Friday, April 11, 2014

✱✱✱ (read more…)

Illegal signs on 598 Broadway. Credit: LPC

Owner of 598 Broadway and Colossal Media Group repeatedly installed advertising signs without Landmarks’ approval. On May 4, 2012, the New York City Law Department and the Landmarks Preservation Commission announced that 598 Broadway Realty Associates and Colossal had reached a settlement agreement with the City to remove the existing illegal signs on the building facade facing Houston Street and to pay $225,000 in civil fines. According to the Law Department, this was the first lawsuit filed against an owner of a landmarked building for failing to obtain a sign permit. It is also the highest fine paid by an owner for failing to obtain a sign permit from Landmarks. As part of the settlement, Colossal also agreed to either remove or legalize signs on other buildings under Landmarks’ jurisdiction. These buildings, including 343 Canal Street, 438 Broome Street, 59 Grand Street, and 60 Grand Street, are all within the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District.

New York State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe had issued a preliminary injunction ordering removal of the signs on November 14, 2012 (read CityLand’s coverage here). The settlement terminates the litigation.

Press Release: City Nets Record Settlement from Sign Company and Building Owner Who Repeatedly Installed Illegal Wall Signs on Landmarked Building, New York City Law Department Press Release, May 4, 2011.