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

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that the Attorney‑General possessed statutory authority to investigate alleged ticket‑selling violations and to issue subpoenas, that the orders denying motions to quash subpoenas and to disqualify counsel are civil in nature and therefore appealable, and that the Attorney‑General’s request to disqualify the respondents’ attorney was premature and unsupported. The court reversed the disqualification order and affirmed the remainder of the lower courts’ rulings. Justice Simons dissented, arguing that the appeal should be dismissed as an impermissible criminal‑proceeding appeal.