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Court sides with town; grants temporary restraining order against Friar Tuck owners

Apr 30, 2021 6:00 am

Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media Acting Rensselaer Supreme Court Judge Adam Silverman April 28, sided with the town of Catskill and issued a temporary restraining order against the owners of the former Friar Tuck Inn and Resort. Silverman upheld a lawsuit filed by the town against the resort owners last week, alleging unapproved construction and unauthorized paramilitary activity. The town was granted a temporary restraining order until a preliminary injunction hearing could be held. “Any defendant or agent, contract vendee, assignee, tenant, lessee or representative thereof served with this restraining notice is hereby forbidden to engage in, or host, military simulation games or exercises or like activity as advertised to take place from April 30 through May 2...until a hearing can be held in this matter,” the court ruled. Silverman also gave the town permission to post notices on the gates and fences on the property about prohibited activity. Failure to obey the order could result in imprisonment of up to six months. The 200-acre property and vacant resort have been owned since February 2020, by NY-32-Realty Group Inc., with Elena Fu named as the primary owner. Thomas O’Rourke, of Cohorts Entertainment and MSATO, or Military Simulations and Tactical Operations, of Wallingford, Connecticut, who intended to film at the property is looking for more than $2 million in damages if the project is canceled. “We are reviewing [the order] and will be taking a look at all of our options,” said defense attorney Michael Brandi, of Buffalo. Read the full story story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.