In 2005, former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer commenced a civil enforcement action against AIG, AIG’s former CEO, and AIG’s former CFO Howard Smith for allegedly engaging in fraudulent reinsurance transactions. In response, Smith submitted a Freedom of Information Law (“FOIL”) request seeking the disclosure of the AG’s communications with the press regarding the complaint. A New York Supreme Court held that the AG’s office has a responsibility and obligation to gain access to Spitzer’s personal email account to determine if it contains documents that should be disclosed in accordance with the FOIL request. The court, however, also allowed the AG’s office to appeal the issue. On appeal, the Appellate Division determined that Spitzer is a necessary party and remanded the case without deciding the issue so the Supreme Court can order Spitzer’s joinder. Smith v. New York State Office of the Attorney General, No. 515758 (N.Y. App. Div. Oct. 17, 2013).
This post written by Abigail Kortz.
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