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Discussion of high-profile cases and the Tim Pearson representation
3:27:54
ยท
4 min
Council Member Restler expresses concern about the Law Department's representation of high-profile officials, particularly Tim Pearson. Managing Attorney Eichenholtz provides an update on the ongoing representation and review process for these cases.
- Eichenholtz confirms ongoing representation of Pearson in multiple cases
- Discussion of the Law Department's continuous internal review of representation decisions based on new information
- Restler expresses his concerns about the decision to represent Pearson given the numerous allegations against him
Lincoln Restler
3:27:54
That's all very helpful.
3:27:57
I guess to be direct, there have been a number of very high profile senior officials in the Adams administration who you know, apparently have been in violation of rules and regulations of their agency and yet have received public representation, either by the law department or an outside attorney.
3:28:25
And it was reported widely in the press, you know, that this was one of the major sources of conflict that led to Judge Heinz Radix's decision to part ways with the administration.
3:28:40
And so I just wondered if any of those senior officials that were directly reporting to the mayor that have I think largely now been separated from the administration.
3:28:54
Has there been any notable updates on any of those cases?
3:28:57
I'm particularly concerned about the Tim Pearson case, which just appeared particularly egregious to me as an observer.
Muriel Goode-Trufant
3:29:06
Are you speaking about sexual harassment case?
Lincoln Restler
3:29:10
Well there are a number of different allegations against Mr.
3:29:13
Pearson, so I could pick my I guess I have a series of choices, but in totality, I am concerned about the decision to represent him and the ways in which he has been in many, many respects over a period of time during his tenure in the administration flouting the rules and regulations of mayor's office, EDC, the police department, and just wondered if there has been any decision to revisit his the provision of free counsel on his behalf.
Muriel Goode-Trufant
3:29:56
Eric Eichenhaus is going to speak further on this matter.
Lincoln Restler
3:29:59
Okay.
Eric Eichenholtz
3:30:01
So I think we've spoken previously about
Lincoln Restler
3:30:06
In this room.
Eric Eichenholtz
3:30:07
In this very room.
Lincoln Restler
3:30:08
Similar seats.
3:30:09
Yes.
Eric Eichenholtz
3:30:12
This is as it was then, it is now challenging for me to sort of I think at a high level when we take out privilege, work product, etcetera from the discussion there hasn't really been a change.
3:30:27
We are still representing him in a series of cases in which we are providing representation and I believe there is one case unrelated to the series of sexual harassment cases where he has not been served and therefore he has not requested nor have we provided him representation.
3:30:54
We are, we have obviously as I said then and I'll say it again now, we continue to review everything we learn about Mr.
3:31:05
Pearson as information comes to us through discovering those cases through other sources.
3:31:14
And we continue to discuss internally whether it's representation, whether it's the city's posture in a case, how that might affect the case.
3:31:24
But obviously those discussions are internal, they're work product at this point.
3:31:29
And so I think while you know I will say on the surface level nothing has changed, obviously we continue to discuss internally the best ways to proceed moving forward.
3:31:40
And if there are developments obviously we will, it'll be noticeable in the litigation, but you know they will
Lincoln Restler
3:31:49
occur.
3:31:50
I appreciate, look these are difficult questions for you all to answer and I appreciate you trying to answer them in good faith within the restrictions that you have to abide by.
3:32:04
So I appreciate that.
3:32:06
I do I guess it's no surprise.
3:32:10
I think it's I just think it's really problematic that with all of the many many many allegations of sexual harassment against him, across many members of his team, across the nickname crumbs, across the different ethical violations that he is allegedly responsible for.
3:32:32
It's just really hard for me to understand why it would be in our interest as a city to represent him.
3:32:37
But at the end of the day, you all have to do that due diligence.
3:32:40
You know facts that I do not have, but appreciate your ongoing analysis and assessment of the case.
3:32:48
I'm gonna try and not keep you here all day, so let me do three more topics.