Fishman v. Mills
Petitioners Michael Fishman, president of a union, and American Building Maintenance Company of New York appealed a Supreme Court judgment that dismissed their CPLR article 78 petition as time-barred. The case stemmed from the award of a cleaning contract to respondent Fedcap Rehabilitation Services, Inc. as a preferred source provider, displacing American Building's workers. Petitioners challenged Fedcap's qualification, alleging it employed individuals not 'severely' disabled as required by State Finance Law § 162. The Supreme Court found the proceeding untimely, ruling that the challenge to Fedcap's preferred source provider status became final and binding by August or September 1999, well before the October 2000 commencement. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal, concluding the core challenge was to Fedcap's initial qualification, not later contract approvals, thus rendering the proceeding time-barred.