Court Revelation: Ground Zero Mosque at Standstill

Our legal team was in New York Supreme Court today on a critical case involving plans to build an Islamic mosque at Ground Zero.  As you know, we've filed a lawsuit challenging the project.

And, today in court, a surprising admission from an attorney representing Sharif El-Gamal, the developer for the mosque project.

In open court, he admitted that there are what he called "money issues" and that construction of the project is "far away."

This revelation does a couple of things:  It shows that the project has run into problems.  It also gives us additional time to pursue our legal challenge. 

And, what's even more interesting is the timing of this revelation.  These admissions come on the heels of a re-organization of the mosque project with the very visible leader Imam Rauf being replaced.

Also at today's hearing, our legal team rejected assertions by the developer that the lawsuit challenging the mosque should be dismissed because the actual owner of the property was not properly served and that Soho Properties, the developer-owned company, is not the actual owner of the site. 

At a hearing in July before New York Citys Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), Ground Zero Mosque developer Sharif El-Gamal, his attorney Shelly Friedman, and an architectural firm retained to argue against landmark status for the proposed mosque site, all testified that Soho Properties owned the subject property. You can view the documents here. 

Our attorney in the case, Brett Joshpe, puts this issue into perspective: "The principal developer Sharif El-Gamal and his representatives repeatedly testified before the Landmarks Preservation Commission during the very hearing that is at issue in this case that Soho Properties owned the property.  Now, they are alleging in court that their own testimony was inaccurate?  This is merely an attempt to divert attention from the merits of the case and should raise questions to the public about the honesty and the intentions of the developers."

In addition to seeking to enjoin the owners from engaging in any demolition or construction at the site prior to the case being heard on the merits, we're also seeking a full disclosure from Mayor Bloombergs Office that would reveal the full extent of its political involvement.  The Mayors Office provided a partial disclosure to the ACLJs Freedom of Information Law request, which revealed a close collaboration between City Hall and the mosques developers.  One email from El-Gamals attorney, Shelly Friedman, even stated that LPC Chairman, Robert Tierney, was looking forward to political cover from local politicians. 

Our client in this case is Tim Brown, a firefighter and first responder who survived the Twin Towers collapse and lost nearly 100 friends.  At the same time, we have heard from thousands of Americans who have signed on to the Committee to Stop the Ground Zero Mosque.

The court is scheduled to hear the case on February 22nd.  We look forward to presenting our case to the court to ensure that this mosque is never built at Ground Zero.