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Council’s retention of outside lawyer draws conflict-of-interest questions
Summary
The Englewood Cliffs Borough Council voted to retain Donald F. Burke as special litigation counsel, but several members raised conflict-of-interest concerns because Burke was described during discussion as also serving as the mayor’s personal lawyer in an ongoing suit; the borough attorney stated he saw no conflict.
The Englewood Cliffs Borough Council voted on May 8 to retain the law offices of Donald F. Burke as special litigation counsel, a move that prompted several council members to question whether Burke’s existing relationship with the mayor presented a conflict of interest.
During discussion, members noted Mr. Burke was described in the meeting as the mayor’s personal lawyer and that he is involved in ongoing litigation referenced as ‘Albi W.’ Several council members asked the borough attorney for an opinion on whether that relationship created a conflict with the proposed retention.
The borough attorney responded in the meeting that he was not aware of a conflict and said he believed any conflict had been addressed. Council roll-call votes recorded in the transcript show multiple members voting in favor while Councilman Luciano registered a no vote; the full mayoral vote was not clearly recorded in the transcript.
The resolution to retain outside counsel passed. The transcript records members’ concerns about overlapping roles and the need for legal clarity; no further action or formal ethics opinion was recorded in the meeting minutes provided.
