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Gold9472
02-20-2013, 07:42 PM
WTC developer to American Airlines: Calling 9/11 ‘act of war’ is a ‘shameful display of duplicity’
In court papers, Larry Silverstein’s lawyers stated that the airline and its parent company had said it would not use this defense to avoid liability for the World Trade Center attack.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/wtc-developer-calls-american-airlines-shameful-9-11-court-case-article-1.1269022

By Robert Gearty / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 3:02 PM

Developer Larry Silverstein accused American Airlines Wednesday of a “shameful display of duplicity” for asserting the World Trade Center terror attack was an “act of war” that should shield it from liability.

In court papers, Silverstein said the airline and its parent company repeatedly promised not to invoke such a defense to avoid paying property damage claims arising from the 9/11 attack.

"Now, having obtained many billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded benefits from a massive federal bailout, which benefits continue to accrue, they have reversed course, asserting with breathtaking cynicism a supposed distinction — but one without a difference — between an act of war exclusion and an act of war defense,” Silverstein attorney Richard Williamson said in court papers.

The papers were filed in Manhattan Federal Court as part of a motion seeking a judgment dismissing the “act of war” defense.

In September, Judge Alvin Hellerstein said the Silverstein lawsuit against the airline could go to trial. The developer is seeking $2.8 billion in damages.

“This Court can and should put an end to this charade,” Williamson said.

A spokesman for the airline declined comment.

Silverstein Properties sued American Airlines and United Airlines in 2008, contending their negligence caused the destruction of the Twin Towers.

In September, Manhattan Federal Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein said the lawsuit could go to trial and that Silverstein could seek $2.8 billion in damages.

In 2007 Silverstein's company reached a $4 billion settlement with insurers.