January 16, 2008 — A Brooklyn federal judge has removed himself from hearing an appeal on a lawsuit opposing the borough’s $4 billion Atlantic Yards project, after admitting in court that he once responded favorably to the controversial plan through a promotional mailer.

Judge Edward Korman was replaced last week on the three-member panel hearing an appeal of a lower-court decision that rejected a suit to block the state’s use of eminent domain to acquire private land for developer Bruce Ratner’s 22-acre project.

The plan would bring an NBA arena for Ratner’s Nets, who would move there from New Jersey, and 16 skyscrapers stretching from Downtown Brooklyn to Prospect Heights.

Project opponents said they believe the mailer was a glossy flier sent out to about 300,000 homes a couple of years ago. Those who sent back a card attached reading, “Yes! I Support Atlantic Yards and the Jobs, Housing, and Open Space it Will Create,” received vouchers for two free tickets to a Nets game.

Korman did not return a phone message, but Matthew Brinckerhoff, the opponents’ lawyer, said, “I have no reason to doubt” Korman would have voted fairly.

Source: NY Post