ALBANY, NY – In two separate legal filings with the New York State Supreme Court, a contractor accuses Assistant Attorney General Ryan Abel and NYS DEC Corporate Bureau Chief Rebecca (Becks) Denue of wrongful, ongoing possession of six aluminum vessels. Additionally, three other DEC employees—William H. Bernard, Dave M. Parker, and Brendan A. Hayes—are accused of “joyriding,” modifying, and damaging those same vessels.
Unpaid Contract, Seized Property
The lawsuits describe how the contractor manufactured six vessels under a DEC contract that was never fully paid. Ownership remained with the contractor, yet Abel and Denue allegedly refuse to return the boats.
Court documents suggest the pair demanded a withdrawal of a separate legal action in exchange for releasing the vessels, a condition the contractor views as improper and unrelated to any legitimate government purpose.
Unauthorized Usage and Damage
In a companion lawsuit, Bernard, Parker, and Hayes stand accused of operating and altering the vessels without consent, reportedly resulting in voided warranties and major repair bills.
The complaint contends these acts were purely personal, carried out without official DEC authorization, and diminished the boats’ resale or rental value by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Claims of Substantial Financial Harm
According to filings, the vessels could each earn around $3,000 per day if deployed for charter or rental use, losses that the contractor argues have been accruing for months.
The contractor also notes potential $2+ million in lost business due to alleged defamatory statements made to a key supplier, Mercury Marine, which could jeopardize future discounts and partnerships.
Personal Capacity vs. State Function
Both suits emphasize that Abel, Denue, and the DEC employees acted in their individual capacities, not on behalf of the state, and therefore should not be shielded by official immunity.
The contractor argues that New York State Court of Claims lacks jurisdiction over these personal acts, affirming Supreme Court as the proper venue.
Legal Caveats
All complaints and statements mentioned above reflect unproven allegations.
No official responses or court rulings have been announced.
The named attorneys and DEC employees have not issued any public statement at the time of this release.
For more information, members of the public may refer to the official case dockets in the New York State Supreme Court (Albany County). Further announcements will be made if new developments arise.
