Uncooperative ferry captain wants city to pay legal fees
 |
Michael Gansas, left, leaves court November 5 in New York.
Story Tools
|
NEW YORK (AP) -- The captain of a Staten Island ferry that killed 11 people in October wants the city to pay $250,000 for his legal fees.
Michael Gansas filed a notice of claim with the city this week declaring his intent to sue for the money. New York generally defends employees against legal actions that stem from their role as municipal workers.
City lawyers have said Gansas forfeited that right by refusing to cooperate with crash investigators.
The captain became the focus of intense legal and media attention after the crash when he declined to talk to investigators, citing his constitutional right against self-incrimination.
He incurred the legal expenses defending himself against a victims' lawsuit and subpoenas from investigating agencies including the National Transportation Safety Board, according to the notice of claim.
Mayoral spokesman Edward Skyler said it was "beyond outrageous" that Gansas was asking taxpayers to pay his legal fees after he refused to cooperate.
Copyright 2004 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
