Preservationist allegedly altered contents of letter from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. In 2006, Landmarks held a hearing to consider the designation of the Dakota Stables, a building on the Upper West Side. Shortly before the hearing, the owner of the Dakota Stables pulled permits and began stripping the facade of the building. 3 CityLand 157 (Nov. 15, 2006). At the hearing, Virginia Parkhouse, a Landmarks West! volunteer, read a letter from Borough President Scott Stringer into the record, allegedly changing its contents. Parkhouse stated that Stringer wanted Landmarks to designate the Dakota Stables when in reality the letter merely asked Landmarks to hold a public hearing on the issue of designation. Lindsay Miller, another Landmark West! representative, signed in as representing Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, and allegedly changed the text of her letter to read that Rosenthal advocated for designation instead of only requesting a public hearing.

After the hearing, Stringer and Rosenthal complained to Landmarks, and Landmarks referred the matter to the Department of Investigation. DOI investigated, ultimately asking Miller and Parkhouse for interviews. Parkhouse refused to comply, and DOI followed with a subpoena, which she challenged, claiming it interfered with her right to free speech and that DOI was not authorized to subpoena private citizens. A lower court disagreed and upheld the subpoena. (read more…)