Council Votes to Pay Almost $400K in Legal Bills

Hoboken has paid its outstanding balance to law firm Okin, Hollander and DeLuca after the city council approved the immediate payment of $369,969.

Paul Hollander served as the city's bankruptcy lawyer in the long process of selling the Hoboken University Medical Center and the bankruptcy negotiations that came with that.

The payment passed in a 5-3 vote, with the council minority members—Theresa Castellano, Michael Russo and Tim Occhipinti—voting "no." Councilwoman Beth Mason was absent.

This number turned out higher than the initial "not to exceed amount" that was included when Hollander's firm was hired.

"A lot of work had to be done," said Melissa Longo, assistant corporation counsel for the city. She added that the work was done in "a time crunch."