An appellate panel in Manhattan appears to have cleared the way for the long-postponed civil fraud trial of former American International Group executives Maurice “Hank” Greenberg and Howard Smith.

The Appellate Division, First Department in People v. Greenberg, 401720/05, rejected defense claims that the trial judge, Justice Charles Ramos, is biased. The allegation of bias was based on Ramos’ pretrial rulings and comments he made during various proceedings.