Appeals Court: Developer Can Sue Long Beach for $50M

A state appeals court ruled on April 17 that Manhattan-based developer Sinclair Haberman can bring a $50 million lawsuit against the City of Long Beach, claiming its zoning board chairman, Rocco Morelli, lived next door to a proposed 10-story waterfront condominium building the board denied in 2004. 

Haberman and his company, Belair Building, challenged the board’s decision to reject the proposal, contending that Morelli’s involvement in the decision represented a conflict of interested because of his home’s proximity to the proposed property, according to Long Island Business News.

Haberman’s attorney, Scott Mollen, commenting on the court reversing a Nassau Supreme Court judge’s dismissal of the developer’s suit in 2010, that his client

“is grateful that we have a court system that recognizes the need to protect citizens from irresponsible public officials who place political expediency above individual property rights.”

City attorney Corey Klein didn’t return requests for comment to LIBN. Haberman seek damages for years of delays and will look to reinstate his building permit, the business publication reports.