A suit was filed yesterday seeking to enjoin officials from preventing the taking of photos in the immediate area surrounding federal courthouses. The New York Civil Liberties Union filed suit on behalf of Antonio Musumeci, who claims he was harassed and ultimately given a ticket for filming a one-man protest outside the U.S. Courthouse at 500 Pearl St. in November 2009. The NYCLU said in its complaint that Mr. Musumeci, a member of the Manhattan Libertarian Party, was filming fellow Libertarian Julian Heicklin as he distributed pamphlets in the western plaza that runs between Worth and Pearl streets. Mr. Musumeci filmed the arrest of Mr. Heicklin by Inspector Clifford Barnes of the Federal Protective Service, who in turn told Mr. Musumeci that he was violating a regulation governing photography on federal property. Mr. Musumeci, 29, said his video card was confiscated, and he was detained for about 20 minutes and then given a ticket. The charge was dismissed on March 23. The NYCLU alleges that Mr. Musumeci “was charged with violating a vague federal regulation restricting photography and appears to be inconsistently enforced.” The case is Musumeci v. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 10 Civ. 3370. — Mark Hamblett
Corporate Counsel Names New Head of Family Court Division
Angela Albertus, 43, has been selected as the new chief for the New York City Law Department’s Family Court Division, Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo announced yesterday. Ms. Albertus, who had served as deputy director, replaces Lawrence E. Bushching, who left to head the juvenile justice efforts of the Administration for Children’s Services. The Family Court Division prosecutes juveniles charged with crimes and represents out-of-state petitioners seeking child support from city residents. It is the second largest of the Law Department’s 17 legal divisions, with more than 90 attorneys and 60 support staff working out of offices in all five boroughs.
