Nassau Democrats' small legal-political world evident in court case
State Supreme Court Justice Timothy S. Driscoll is presiding in the civil case. Credit: Newsday/ Patrick McCarthy
It has been a Democratic reunion of sorts in Mineola, where State Supreme Court Justice Tim Driscoll, who was a deputy for former Democratic Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, is presiding over a legal dispute among three brothers who own Laffey Fine Homes.
Representing two of the brothers is Bill Garry, brother of Tom Garry, Nassau’s chief Democratic elections counsel and close confidant of Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs. Both Garrys are members of the Harris Beach law firm where Suozzi is of counsel.
The attorney for the other brother is former Nassau Legis. David Mejias, who was a close Suozzi ally while in office.
The appointed receiver for the business is James Leonard, a Suffolk Republican who is law partners with former Nassau Democratic counsel Steven Schlesinger.
Making a surprise appearance with Bill Garry was Suozzi, who said at a pretrial conference, “This is the first time I was in a courtroom in 20 years.”
Driscoll said he had "the privilege" of working for Suozzi from 2004 until he took the bench. "I use the word privilege because it was a wonderful, wonderful, outstanding experience on every possible level," Driscoll said, according to a court transcript.
Mixed reactions after U.S. attacks Venezuela Both anger and happiness were felt as many, including LI Venezuelans, reacted to the U.S.-led ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger has more.
