Corning v. Village of Laurel Hollow

OPINION OF THE COURT

Chief Judge Cooke.

The question here is whether certain former high-ranking officials of the Village of Laurel Hollow are entitled to reimbursement from the village of their costs, disbursements and legal fees incurred in asserting a successful defense to a civil rights action brought against them as a result of acts performed in their official capacities. Reversing Special Term, the Appellate Division held that in the absence of express authority to employ counsel, plaintiffs were not entitled to recover legal fees from the village. There should be an affirmance. Without…