A New York state judge has ruled that a politically connected Long Island law firm is a public figure and must meet the actual-malice standard in a defamation suit against a Nassau County legislator who publicly accused the firm of over-billing the county and trying to cover up the misconduct of a county official.
Peter J. Schmitt, the Republican minority leader of the Nassau County legislature, made a series of public statements in January and February 2004 concerning the role Glen Cove, N.Y., law firm Crowe Deegan played in the administration of County Executive Thomas Suozzi, a Democrat.
At a Jan. 12, 2004, news conference and in an accompanying statement, Schmitt said the nine-lawyer firm, which he said was hired to represent several county agencies without bidding, was receiving "exorbitant, unauthorized amounts of money for work they did not perform." He also said the firm had exceeded campaign contribution limits to give "illegal money" to David Mejias, a successful Democratic legislature candidate.
Crowe Deegan sued for defamation the day after the press conference. In February, Schmitt told various media outlets the law firm tampered with evidence in an investigation into the conduct of Deputy County Executive Peter Sylver, who resigned after it was found he used a county credit card for personal expenses.