A new lawsuit filed in the New York State Supreme Court paints a troubling picture of conduct by two high-ranking public attorneys, raising serious concerns about the abuse of government authority and a blatant disregard for private property rights.

The civil complaint alleges that two attorneys, Rebecca Denue-Hourigan, a Corporate Bureau Chief employed by the Department Of Conservation and an Assistant Attorney General Ryan Abel Employed by the New York State Attorney General have improperly withheld six privately owned commercial vessels after the termination of a contract by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The State allegedly never paid for the vessels, yet these officials have refused to release them unless the owners drops a lawsuit against them—an action that legal observers describe as coercive and improper.

According to the complaint, there is no valid court order, statute, or legal justification allowing the attorneys to retain the property.

Legal analysts reviewing the case have expressed alarm. “This isn’t about a simple administrative delay,” said one attorney. “It’s about senior state officials allegedly holding private property hostage for leverage in unrelated  personal litigation. That’s not just questionable—it’s potentially a serious abuse of office.”

The complaint asserts that the attorneys’ actions fall well outside the scope of any legitimate public function. The legal action seeks the return of the vessels, compensation for lost income, and punitive damages for what it characterizes as willful, malicious, and unauthorized interference.

Those who believe public attorneys should be held accountable for conduct that may violate ethical or professional standards are encouraged to direct formal complaints to the appropriate oversight bodies:

Attorney Grievance Committee – Third Judicial Department

Website: https://agc.ny.gov/

Email: D8Grievance@nycourts.gov

Phone: (518) 285-8350

Office of the New York State Inspector General

Website: https://ig.ny.gov/

Email: inspector.general@ig.ny.gov

Phone: (800) 367-4448

New York State Attorney General’s Office – Public Integrity Bureau

Website: https://ag.ny.gov/bureau/public-integrity

Email: public.integrity@ag.ny.gov