Mayor Andre Sayegh of Paterson declared the appellate court ruling a victory, emphasizing it restored his elected authority and criticized the attorney general's actions as unlawful and undemocratic.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin expressed disappointment in the court's decision, asserting it undermined decades of established legal precedent and was necessary due to a breakdown of community trust in Paterson.
The appellate court ruled that Platkin and former police chief Abbassi exceeded their statutory authority, noting they had no right to take control of the Paterson Police Department.
The court's 39-page ruling mandated the return of authority to the local police department and required a detailed report on expenditures related to the takeover.
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