In the Matter of Robert Abrams, as Attorney-General of the State of New York, Respondent. John Anonymous…

Summary

The Court held that the Attorney-General has statutory authority to investigate alleged illegal ticket sales and to issue subpoenas, and that the motions to quash subpoenas and to disqualify counsel are civil in nature and therefore appealable. It reversed the lower court's order disqualifying the attorney, finding the disqualification premature and unsupported by an overriding public interest, while affirming the denial of the motion to quash the subpoenas. The dissent argued that the appeal should be dismissed as an impermissible criminal appeal.