ALBANY, NY – Serious new allegations have surfaced in two lawsuits filed in New York State Supreme Court (Albany County) against Assistant Attorney General Ryan Abel (Rye) and DEC Corporate Bureau Chief Rebecca (Becks) Denue, along with additional New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) personnel. The contractor behind the suits claims these individuals are subjecting him to ongoing financial devastation by unlawfully withholding six specialized aluminum boats and causing extensive damage to them.
Alleged “Hostage” Hold on Six Vessels
According to the first lawsuit, Abel and Denue refuse to return six brand-new vessels that the DEC never fully paid for.
Court filings state the attorneys demanded the contractor drop a separate legal action in exchange for retrieving his own property—behavior the contractor calls “coercive” and “unrelated to any legitimate government purpose.”
Unauthorized Use, Damage, and Warranties Void
The second lawsuit targets William H. Bernard, Dave M. Parker, and Brendan A. Hayes, alleging they took the vessels on personal outings, installed unapproved parts, and performed unauthorized modifications.
These purported actions not only voided warranties but also inflicted hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses through diminished resale value and repair costs.
Massive Financial Fallout
Each vessel allegedly generates up to $3,000 in daily revenue, meaning the prolonged withholding and damage could result in staggering monetary losses for the contractor.
Additional accusations include false statements made to a primary engine supplier—possibly threatening lucrative business partnerships valued at over $2 million.
Personal Conduct, Not Official Duties
Court documents emphasize these actions were driven by personal motives, not sanctioned by the DEC or any legitimate government function.
The contractor’s legal team argues that immunity does not apply to individual acts “entirely outside the scope” of employment.
Legal Status
No rulings have been issued, and no court dates are announced.
Abel, Denue, and the other DEC employees named have not publicly responded to these claims.
All persons mentioned are presumed innocent of any wrongdoing until legally proven otherwise.
For further details, refer to publicly accessible court records at the New York State Supreme Court (Albany County). Any updates, including official responses, will be reflected as the legal process continues.