Historic $45 Million Settlement Advances

A proposed $45 million settlement over fees charged under Suffolk County’s controversial red-light camera program cleared a major legal hurdle Aug. 10 when a judge granted preliminary approval to the agreement.

Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice David T. Reilly signed the order, finding the settlement “fair, reasonable, adequate and in the best interests of the class.”

The judge’s action moves the decade-long legal battle closer to returning millions of dollars to motorists who paid administrative fees on red-light camera violations.

“We’re very pleased that we’ve reached this historic legal settlement on behalf of the citizens of Suffolk County,” attorney David Raimondo said. “Not only did Suffolk County stop charging administrative fees, but eligible ticket holders will now have the opportunity to recover their money, together with interest.”

The key issue in the case was whether Suffolk County had the legal authority to impose the additional charges. Appellate courts ultimately ruled that the administrative fees were not authorized by law, and the county stopped collecting them.

Under the proposed settlement, people and entities who paid the $30 administrative fee from April 1, 2013, forward could recover up to $36 per qualifying ticket — the fee plus $6 in interest.

The order also sets in motion the process for motorists to get their money back. Suffolk County must provide a settlement administrator with records identifying class members, their last-known addresses, the amount of administrative fees they paid and the benefits they are expected to receive. Notices are to be mailed to class members within 30 days of the preliminary approval order.

Once the notices are mailed, motorists will have a 90-day claims period. Kroll Settlement Administration has been provisionally approved to administer the settlement.

Final court approval is still required. Justice Reilly scheduled a fairness hearing for Dec. 8 when the court will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate, and whether final judgment should be entered.

Critics long derided the cameras as a “cash grab” that helped bolster Suffolk finances during former County Executive Steve Bellone’s administration. The program ended after County Executive Ed Romaine took office and local senators declined to support a renewal bill in Albany.

Raimondo said the settlement is one of the most significant achievements of his 36-year legal career.

“This case was about standing up for the rights of Suffolk County residents,” Raimondo said. “We’re proud of what has been accomplished.”

Raimondo emphasized that the case was a team effort. He credited law partners Taus, Cebulash & Landau, along with his sons, attorneys Jon Raimondo and Michael Raimondo, who are partners in the Raimondo Law Firm, for their perseverance throughout the lengthy class action case.

The cameras gained widespread attention after “Red Light Robinhood” Steve Ruth went on a crusade to dismantle them, leading to his arrest and a following of thousands of aggrieved motorists.