New York Court of Appeals dismisses claims against leading developer as barred by Martin Act

In Kerusa Co. LLC v. W10Z/515 Real Estate Limited Partnership, 12 N.Y.3d 236 (2009), a seminal case interpreting the Martin Act, LCBF obtained dismissal of all fraud claims asserted against the condominium sponsor and developers by the wealthy owner of a luxury condominium apartment in a newly-constructed Park Avenue high-rise building, which allegedly had construction defects.  The Court of Appeals held that because the NY Attorney General bears sole responsibility for implementing and enforcing Martin Act requirements relating to the purchase and sale of security interests in condominium apartments, a condominium apartment purchaser may not pursue a claim for common-law fraud against the building's sponsor when the fraud is predicated solely on alleged material omissions from offering plan amendments mandated by the Martin Act and the Attorney General's implementing regulations.  Bill Ballaine argued the case.