WPCNR STAGE DOOR. By John F. Bailey. February 7, 2006: Paul Larrabee, a spokesman for the New York State Attorney General told WPCNR today the pending $3.7 Million sale of the Helen Hayes Theatre Company building in Nyack to Milbrook Properties, Ltd of Manhasset, a Long Island real estate holding company, is “under review” by the Attorney General, based on his personal conversation with Rockland County Legislator Harriet Cornel Monday, because the Attorney General's Office "had great respect for her."
Larrabee said he could not give a date for completion of the review, or say how long it would take his office to complete the “review,” or what was being reviewed.
When WPCNR asked if any closing on the property would be delayed pending the review, Larrabee said it was up to the Rockland County court.
Mr. Larrabee said an Assistant Attorney General Gary S. Brown approved a petition by Helen Hayes to sell its theatre, and this was followed by the Rockland County judge’s approving the petition. He said it was up to that court whether or not to hold up the pending closing on the building deal, pending the Attorney General review.
WPCNR asked Larrabee if the Assistant Attorney General reviewing the Petition for Sale, had seen the contract outlining the sale, portions of which were made public in the Rockland County Journal News Tuesday. Larrabee said he did not know if Brown had reviewed the contract. Larrabee said he personally had not seen the contract between Hayes and Milbrook.
Larrabee was reported by the Rockland County Journal News that the Attorney General could advise the court if they found issues.
The Assistant Attorney General Brown is reported to approved the Petition January 19, and Judge William Nelson of Rockland County, approved the Petition January 24.
Circumstances
Larrabee said “This was an organization petitioning to sell its assets in dire financial condition.”
Larrabee described the Attorney General’s role in “approving” petitions for sale of assets by non-profits (like Helen Hayes Theatre Company): “The Attorney General is asked to represent the people and individuals and find whether laws related to Not-for-Profits are complied with.”
Larrabee said he could not comment on news reports that raised questions about the process by which the sale was approved by the Helen Hayes Theatre Company Board of Directors.
Asked if the Attorney General Office was going to review the Hayes approval as requested by the Mayor of Nyack, John Shields, and review the contract (which Shields has forwarded to the Attorney General) and Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet Cornell, Larrabee said, “All matters that come to our attention are reviewed. We have to first determine the facts, whether we have jurisdiction, and whether it is appropriate to review.”
When pressed Larrabee said he had an extensive conversation with Legislator Harriet Cornell Monday, and told WPCNR the matter was under review. He said he had not yet seen Mayor Shields’ letter.
A Rockland County Journal News press reported Daniel Rodriguez, a member of the Helen Hayes Theatre Company Board of Directors, as saying a closing for the sale had not been set yet. A law firm Mr. Rodriguez is reported associated with, for which he is noted on the Helen Hayes website to be a consultant, Medina & O’Brien, was contacted by WPCNR. The receptionist was not familiar with Mr. Rodriguez’s name when WPCNR called to speak to Mr. Rodriguez on the matter.
Buyers are Strong Supporters of the Democratic Party.
WPCNR asked Mr. Larrabee if the Attorney General's Office was aware two of the principals of the buying firm are longtime contributors to the New York State Democratic Party. (Elliot Spitzer is considered the leading Democratic Candidate for Governor of New York). Mr. Larrabee said “No” and described the question as being “without merit.”
Rubin Pikus, Chief Executive Officer of Milbrook Properties, according to the Federal Election Commission has contributed slightly over $12,000 to Democratic Candidates, organizations and Political Action Committees since December 11, 1999. He contributed $1,000 each to Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Hillary Clinton. Mr. Pikus also contributed $7,500 to Democratic Congressman Steve Israel (representing the 2nd Congressional District-Suffolk County and top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee) the last six years, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Sharon Pikus, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary of Milbrook Properties has contributed $15,300 to Democratic candidates since 2000. Ms. Pikus contributed according to Federal Election Commission records, an $7,500 to the Congressman Steven Israel, and $3,500 to Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy of the 4th Congressional District on Long Island, (the woman whose husband was shot and killed by a crazed gunman on the Long Island Railroad, which lead her to run for congress), and $1,000 to Senator Charles Schumer, and $1,000 to Senator Clinton’s first campaign in 2000. Prior to 2000, she contributed $1,500 to Senator Schumer.
Joseph Lagana, the President of the Board of Directors of Helen Hayes Theatre Company the selling company has contributed $2,400 to Republican candidates in the last six years C. Scott Vanderhoef, the congressman, and former Congressman Benjamin Gilman. Prior to 2000, he contributed $1,500 to Senator Alphonse D’Amato in 1998.
