Res. No. 704 Title Resolution urging both the New York State Attorney General and the New York State Legislature to review the suspension of Alton Maddox's license to practice law. Body By Council Members Seabrook, Barron, Clarke, Comrie, Jackson, Jennings, Lopez, Stewart and Vann Whereas, Alton Maddox provided legal representation for the family of Tawana Brawley following her alleged rape and abduction in November of 1987; and Whereas, A special state grand jury ultimately found insufficient evidence of such an attack on Ms. Brawley and exonerated all six men who were named as suspects; and Whereas, Following the grand jury determination that Ms. Brawley's claim amounted to a hoax, an investigation was launched by the Committee on Professional Standards into the conduct of Mr. Maddox; this investigation culminated in his suspension from the practice of law in May of 1990; and Whereas, Among other things, the Committee found that the actions of Mr. Maddox during the Tawana Brawley case obstructed justice by hindering an ongoing investigation; and Whereas, To this day, Mr. Maddox disputes the validity of the grand jury report and believes that his license to practice law was wrongfully suspended; and Whereas, Mr. Maddox alleges that his license was suspended for refusing to turn over evidence against Ms. Brawley and the Rev. Al Sharpton; Mr. Maddox claims that because he "refused to violate the attorney-client privilege" by divulging certain information his license was suspended; and Whereas, Four years after his suspension, the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District granted Mr. Maddox a hearing; the result of this hearing was that the Committee tacked on an additional five years stating, according to Mr. Maddox, that he was "still too defiant"; and Whereas, Following over a decade of suspension, Alton Maddox should be granted an opportunity for review of his suspension and a chance to prove whether he meets the requisite criteria for license reinstatement; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the New York State Attorney General and the New York State Legislature to review the suspension of Alton Maddox's license to practice law. LS # 1331 TQ