In his recommendations on expense cuts, the magistrate judge specifically criticized the group for seeking reimbursement for such travel expenses as taxi rides in New York City for “working late.” He recommended the group not get $50,121 it is seeking for “other transportation.”
He recommended cutting $3,000 from the group's award because of instances “where it appears Children Right's picked up a meal tab for several diners or where the amount appears extravagant.”
In an emailed statement Wednesday, new DHS Director Ed Lake said, “We just received the magistrate's recommendations today but our initial reaction is that $7 million is excessive. The Legislature appropriated $4 million for attorneys' fees which we believe are reasonable. It would be a far better use of the state's resources to direct the difference in the amounts to the protection and care of the children served by DHS.”
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