Header Image -Ravi Bhalla
It’s complicated and it is classic USA city hall politics..
A lawsuit alleging that local officials in Hudson County corruptly conspired to stop a cannabis dispensary from opening can continue, an appeals court has ruled.
The lawsuit stems from Hoboken medical cannabis business Nature’s Touch, which claims then-Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla prevented the dispensary from opening in exchange for Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop offering legal services to Bhalla’s law firm. Fulop’s wife has a business stake in a rival cannabis business in Hoboken, the lawsuit claims.
The ruling from the state’s appellate division has to do with a technical question on whether the lawsuit was filed in a timely manner. But it means that the legal challenge against Assemblymember-elect Bhalla will continue to be litigated.
Bhalla has denied the claims in the lawsuit.
“This complaint stems from false claims brought by a convicted felon,” Bhalla said in a statement. “They are frivolous in nature and the City will continue to vigorously defend this matter in court.”
Full report (paywall)
Sean Hocking
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