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Archive | Just Compensation

August 8, 2019

THERE CAN BE NO LIMIT ON JUST COMPENSATION

          We recently took over some files that pertained to takings by the County of Suffolk.  The prior attorney inserted a dollar amount in the filed claim.  Later, upon the preparation of the pre-trial order, the condemnor’s counsel objected to the insertion of a higher amount which matched appraised damages.  Former counsel stated that he inserted an amount into the claim merely as a placeholder until an appraisal was completed.           Eminent Domain Procedure Law (“EDPL”) § 504 specifies the information that should be included in a claim.  It does… read more

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Posted in Condemnation Claims, Just Compensation, There can be no limit to Just Compensation, Uncategorized
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July 10, 2019

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MY JUST COMPENSATION

          Just when you thought you heard it all, up comes a new, ridiculous statement by a condemnor.           I was in court yesterday before a judge who was trying his best to settle a claim for the partial taking of an apartment building and two stores.  I was not sanguine of a favorable result based on the spread of damages.  The property was very valuable on Third Avenue in Manhattan.  In the course of discussions, the MTA attorneys told the judge that “we already paid out more than $5… read more

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Posted in Advance Payments, Just Compensation, Uncategorized
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April 22, 2019

SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN THE COUNTY OF ROCKLAND: The corrupt process of exercising the awesome power of eminent domain.

          Recently, the Second Department affirmed an additional allowance pursuant to EDPL Sec. 701 to the extent of awarding $233,391.46.  Matter of Village of Spring Valley (Little Angel Day Care Center, Inc.).  Joshua H. Rikon tried the trade fixture claim and argued the appeal.           The Village, as it has in past cases, offered a low-ball appraisal and paid an advance payment of $90,960.           The trial court awarded $469,114 as just compensation.  The award was previously affirmed and claimant thereafter moved for the additional allowance.  Little Angel was fully… read more

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Posted in Bad Faith, Just Compensation, Mendacious Argument, Uncategorized
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October 23, 2018

THE EASEMENT THAT’S REALLY A DIRECT TAKING

The right of an owner to just compensation for property taken by eminent domain is one guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions.  (Federal Constitution, Fourteenth Amendment; NY Constitution, Art. 1, Subd. 7).  The constitutional requirement of “just compensation” mandates that the property owner be indemnified so that he may be put in the same relative position, insofar as this is possible, as if the taking had not occurred.  City of Buffalo v J.W. Clement Co., Inc., 28 NY2d 241 258 (1971); Rose v State of New York, 24 NY2d… read more

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Posted in Just Compensation, Permanent Easement
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September 7, 2018

WE DON’T WANT TO PAY NO STINKING INTEREST – THE STATE OF NEW YORK’S CONTINUED BAD FAITH IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW

Jonathan Houghton recently won two appeals in the Second Department. Matter of Sagres 9, LLC v State of New York, 2018 NY Slip Op. 05932 and 05933 (2d Dept. August 29, 2018). The appeals concerned the failure of the State to pay statutory interest at 9%.  In the two different appropriations, the State deposited advance payments with no notice or explanation to Claimant.  There was absolutely no reason for the deposits.  In fact, the improper deposit with the Comptroller into its eminent domain accounts, pursuant to State Finance Law Sec…. read more

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Posted in Advance Payments, interest, Just Compensation, State Finance Law Sec. 97-dd
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