In a long-running battle over investor money pitting two businessmen with ties to Korea against each other, including defendant Charles Spackman, a reported major Harvard University donor, a state appeals court has ruled Spackman’s reliance on the pandemic as an “excuse” for not complying with a subpoena “falls short” and, therefore, he has been rightfully held in civil contempt.

“Spackman’s reliance on the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse for his noncompliance [with a subpoena in a civil money-judgment suit against him] falls short,” wrote the Appellate Division, First Department court.