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Legal paths to restore CRB: experts urge independent counsel or declaratory judgment
Summary
Witnesses advised the committee that options to restore CRB investigations include hiring independent counsel to defend the board or filing a declaratory judgment to get a speedy court ruling; Rosenthal estimated the declaratory path could take three to six months.
Committee members asked how to restore the CRB’s investigative work: whether the council or individual complainants must sue, and what the faster legal option might be. Alan Rosenthal said a declaratory judgment brought by the CRB or the council is a relatively quick procedure — he estimated three to six months — and would directly resolve whether Syracuse’s ordinance permits investigations under current law.
Rosenthal and Michael Zizitzky advised the council not to pass legislation that preemptively weakens the CRB while litigation is pending. Both witnesses recommended exploring independent counsel or multi‑branch authorization to fund outside counsel if corporation counsel believes it cannot defend the CRB. The committee left the meeting with no formal vote; councilors thanked the witnesses and signaled they would consider legal options and next steps.
