Under the leadership of Litigation Partner David Rose, The Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association, Inc., its board, officers and agents (collectively, the “Hunts Point Defendants”) successfully defeated a federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) suit brought by the sole shareholder of a food distribution business formerly operating out of the storied Hunts Point Terminal Produce Market in Bronx, New York.

In his failed lawsuit, Peter Alphas asserted claims for civil RICO, RICO conspiracy and various state law causes of action stemming from, among other things, his company’s eviction from the Hunts Point Market. The company is currently in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, under the control of a trustee.

In dismissing the civil RICO and RICO conspiracy claims against the Hunts Point Defendants, Judge Andrew Carter, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York agreed with Pryor Cashman’s argument that Alphas failed to state a claim under the RICO statute and lacked the requisite standing to bring such a claim, as he did not show that any of the alleged violations caused direct injury to his business or property.

To read Judge Carter’s full decision, please click here. 

The Pryor Cashman Team

Assisting Rose in this matter from Pryor Cashman’s Litigation Group were Partner Jeffrey Alberts and Associates Ross Bagley and Mark Weiner.