Poor George Soros, first he throws away some 23 million dollars trying to defeat Bush. Now he is being sued over his dog biting some one. Ironic isn't it. First Soros trys to get Kerry aka the poodle elected, now this. Guess old Soros has no luck with dogs. - Sailor
By David Thibault
CNSNews.com Managing Editor
March 02, 2005(CNSNews.com) - George Soros, the billionaire liberal financier who spent more than $23 million of his own money trying to defeat President Bush last year, is being sued and could end up having to testify over a dog attack at his estate in Westchester County, N.Y.
Attorneys in the case appear to have made little progress in reaching a financial settlement to the lawsuit that arose out of the April 7, 2004 incident, and the New York Supreme Court for Westchester County has ordered a preliminary conference for March 10, which could lead to depositions and an eventual trial.
The victim, Brian McKean, suffered "two deep wounds in his leg," according to his attorney, Herman Kaufman, and is planning to undergo plastic surgery to cover up a scar left from one of the bites.
McKean was bitten by a black Labrador named Naomi, which had been purchased along with several other dogs by Soros for his son Gregory, according to Kaufman's lawsuit.
Following the attack on McKean, the younger Soros pleaded guilty to violating a local dog ordinance and was fined $250. A transcript of the April 29, 2004 hearing, obtained by Cybercast News Service, indicates that Gregory Soros agreed from that day forward to keep Naomi indoors, penned up or on a leash.
In his Aug. 4, 2004 lawsuit filed in the state supreme court for Westchester County, Kaufman alleged that the Soros dogs had demonstrated "previous vicious tendencies," which "were explicitly known to both" George and Gregory Soros.
Kaufman was referring to the Soros' black Labrador allegedly attacking another individual, who could not be positively identified. While no details of such an attack could be corroborated, Bedford Town Court Judge Kevin Quaranta made reference to multiple attacks during the hearing in which Gregory Soros pleaded guilty to violating the dog ordinance.
"We are dealing with a three strikes and you're out rule," Quaranta warned. "[T]he next time the dog attacks or bites anybody, it must be immediately euthanized."
Kaufman's lawsuit states that McKean, an employee of the home carpeting company, Patterson, Flynn & Martin, was bitten after he was allowed through the front gate and approached the front door of the Soros home to receive directions on finding the building where he was to take carpet measurements.
McKean said two or three dogs raced up and jumped him. Landscapers, working nearby, were able to wave the dogs off McKean, but according to Kaufman, another employee of the Soros family emerged from the house to blame McKean for the incident.
"[She] doesn't ask, 'Are you alright?' She just [says], 'What are you doing here?' And in an accusatory tone," Kaufman said in an interview with Cybercast News Service. Kaufman added that McKean then had to call his own ambulance in order to get to a hospital for treatment. It is unclear whether either George or Gregory Soros was in the house or on the property at the time of the attack.
Kaufman's suit initially requested a total of $6 million in damages from George and Gregory Soros, as a result of McKean's "serious physical injuries, trauma, stress and substantial pain and suffering," according to the complaint. However, the Chubb Insurance Company, which insures Soros' property against liability claims, offered $5,000 to settle the case, Kaufman said.
Kaufman rejected the offer, later countered with $45,000, and then lowered his price again."
I lowered it to 33 (thousand). I heard nothing," Kaufman said, reflecting on his dealings with the White Plains, N.Y., law firm, Eustace & Marquez, which by now was representing the Chubb Insurance Company. "So I called again and called again and called again."
Kaufman said he finally contacted one of the law firm's paralegals, Kathy Patrick. "To me it's an insult that I have to talk to a paralegal," he complained. "I mean I don't have any lack of respect for these people. [But] don't put a paralegal on the phone with me, because they haven't got the authority to do squat.
"Even after he spoke with attorney Diane Miceli from the Eustace & Marquez firm, Kaufman said Miceli and Chubb Insurance Company adjustor Maria Nigro "jerked me around." On Feb. 15, Kaufman filed a motion for "judicial intervention," which was granted. Both sides were ordered to attend the March 10 preliminary conference.
In responding to the lawsuit filed by Kaufman, attorney Diane Miceli denied all of the charges and claimed that McKean's injuries "were caused, in whole or part, by the conduct of the plaintiff." This "culpable conduct" by McKean had to do with him approaching the residence and "assuming the risk under the conditions and circumstances existing," Miceli stated.
When contacted by Cybercast News Service for comment, Miceli said, "No, I really can't talk about that," before demanding to know, "Who contacted you on this?" She concluded by labeling the request for comment "absurd."
Cybercast News Service learned of the legal action following an investigation of New York State public records.
Telephone calls were also placed to Maria Nigro, the Chubb Insurance Company adjustor handling the McKean claim; and John Marwell, the attorney who represented Gregory Soros at his April plea hearing. Neither Nigro nor Marwell returned the calls before press time.
According to the OpenSecrets.org website, which monitors political campaign spending, George Soros donated more money than any other individual to 527 political fundraising committees during the last election campaign. Soros gave $23,450,000 to a variety of liberal groups like the Joint Victory Campaign 2004, America Coming Together and MoveOn.org. All were expressly dedicated to defeating President Bush.
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