Severe Misconduct Alleged: NYS AAG Ryan Abel & DEC Chief Rebecca Denue Accused of Stonewalling Contractor Over Boats

ALBANY, NY – In a striking turn of events, a contractor has filed two lawsuits in the New York State Supreme Court (Albany County), alleging what he calls “severe misconduct” by Assistant Attorney General Ryan Abel and Corporate Bureau Chief Rebecca (Becks) Denue. The contractor contends these high-level officials, along with DEC employees William H. Bernard, Dave M. Parker, and Brendan A. Hayes, are unlawfully withholding and damaging six aluminum vessels, causing dire financial losses.

Overview of the Allegations

Termination Without Payment: The contractor built six vessels under a DEC contract that was allegedly canceled before any final payment. According to the suits, ownership remains with the contractor.

Persistent Withholding: Abel and Denue are accused of refusing to release the boats unless the contractor abandons a separate legal action, a demand the court filing deems “baseless.”

Unauthorized Use and Modifications

In the parallel suit, Bernard, Parker, and Hayes allegedly undertook “joyrides,” applied unapproved decals, and tampered with engines—actions that purportedly voided warranties and significantly reduced the vessels’ market value.

The lawsuit claims these employees performed these actions entirely outside their official DEC responsibilities.

Profound Financial Impact

The contractor asserts that each boat could yield around $3,000 in daily revenue if made available for charter or other commercial endeavors. Being cut off from this source of income has reportedly resulted in accelerating financial strain.

Additionally, the contractor argues that allegedly false or misleading statements to a key supplier could jeopardize multi-million-dollar future deals.

No Legitimate Government Purpose

Both lawsuits describe these acts as driven by “personal or retaliatory” motives rather than any justified state action.

The contractor’s legal team insists that immunity should not shield individuals acting outside their lawful authority and responsibilities.

Current Status

No court rulings or trial dates are set as of this release.

All defendants are presumed innocent of any wrongdoing until proven otherwise.

Public records, including the complaints and any subsequent filings, are accessible via the New York State Supreme Court (Albany County) docket.

For ongoing coverage, observers are advised to track the official court records, which will reflect any new motions, responses, or judicial determinations as this case advances.