Sanford Rubenstein's firm officially off Eric Garner lawsuit case

The firm of beleaguered attorney Sanford Rubenstein, who is facing an allegation of rape, was officially dumped from the Eric Garner case Thursday.

Scott Rynecki, who is Rubenstein's partner in their Brooklyn law firm, said Thursday night that noted civil rights attorney Jonathan Moore sent him a letter saying he had been retained by the Garner family. Rynecki said he also received a similar notice from the administrator of Garner's estate.

"I wish to God the family well in their quest for justice," Rynecki said Thursday night.

Garner died on July 17 from an apparent police chokehold while he was being arrested on Staten Island on suspicion of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. Garner's family filed a $75 million notice of claim with the city earlier this week, the first step in a lawsuit.

Moore, who represented three of the five men in the Central Park jogger case, didn't immediately return email and phone requests for comment. The five men in the Central Park case were exonerated of rape charges. They received a $41 million settlement from the city earlier this year.

Rubenstein, who made his name suing the police in a number of high-profile brutality cases, including one involving Abner Louima, was accused of rape last week by a board member of the Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network. Police and prosecutors are investigating the woman's allegations, but Rubenstein has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.com

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.