Life and Times of Alton Maddox

posted by Mary Alice Miller
Mon, 12/14/2009 - 1:05am

Relax. Alton Maddox is alive and well. As usual, he is engaged in cerebral fights on several fronts.

The most under-reported story in Black media was the fact that Alton Maddox and Al Sharpton were within feet of each other as they stood at the steps of City Hall last week in support of Charles Barron's bid to become the next Council Speaker. This is remarkable, considering the once inseparable allies have been at each other's throats for almost two decades. Like many long term grudges, one is hard pressed to pin-point the exact reasons why.

For years, any visitor to the United African Movement's weekly forums would be informed Sharpton's name could not be mentioned. As a persona non grata, Sharpton was not welcome in the premises. The kindest reference to Sharpton was the disparaging “HNIC.”

Against this backdrop, it was surprising when Maddox issued a communique on Sunday Nov. 1, that stated, “I am saddened by the false arrest of Rev. Al Sharpton's wife, Kathy Jordan Sharpton and their daughter, Dominique in Harlem on Friday.” (Kathy and Dominique Sharpton were arrested after an alleged traffic infraction on Fri. Oct. 30, just days before the general election.) Maddox's statement concluded with this: “Today, UAM supports the Sharptons.”

That olive branch came with a challenge to Sharpton to effectively address the issue in the days prior to the election. (Sharpton's virtual silence and lack of public activism in response to the incident proved to many that he and NAN were bought off to an extent that rendered him impotent when delivered an opportunity to sway the election. Did he pass or fail that test? Published reports state Sharpton received $500,000 to partner with Chancellor Klein on the Education Equality Project.)

Maddox tried again. On Thurs. Nov 10, Maddox issued this: “Last night, I informed members and supporters of UAM that I would be placing the welfare of our people over any petty differences that may exist between me, Rev. Al Sharpton.”

It will be interesting to see Sharpton's response develop. In the wake of NAN's National Day of Outrage Against Violence, Sharpton has said clergy must make themselves available for counseling Blacks regarding past wrongs as a form of healing. Will this lead to bygones laid to rest between Maddox and Sharpton?

Throughout his law practice, Alton Maddox has been involved in many high profile cases. Yusef Hawkins. Marla Hanson. Central Park. Michael Stewart. In addition, Maddox had defended numerous others, often pro bono.

Maddox's Achilles Heel is also one of his greatest strengths: race pride. While his undaunted pride in being a descendant of Africa has led him to a career of effective, staunch advocacy in cases no one else would touch, much less win, it has kept him from forming alliances that would benefit the very people he loves. Maddox stood firmly behind his decision to conduct weekly political education meetings barring non-Blacks, and saw it as warranted when opportunistic personalities like Curtis Sliwa sought to attend. The United African Movement's agenda is to define issues for self, undiluted by the perspective of others. That same separation from others has blocked Maddox from obtaining help when needed. For years, Maddox has been embroiled in legal situations where effective counsel could make the difference. NYC has a small cadre of competent counsel with skills and backbone, like Norman Siegel, who could be of assistance, but for his race. For Maddox, race pride will not allow him to be represented by white counsel, which would be deemed an “embarrassment” to Black lawyers. Meanwhile, Maddox has been fighting separate proceedings seeking to evict him from his office and home.

According to Maddox, the eviction proceedings regarding his office space in 16 Court Street have a political undertone. Maddox says the building is owned by Mark Green and his brother. Mark Green, owner of Air America, which is broadcast on Black-owned WWRL-AM in NYC, ran a less than stellar race for Public Advocate. Part of the reason Green's campaign was a non-starter was Blacks knew of Green's connection to the challenge to Maddox's office space. The racial tone of Green's 2001 run for mayor did not help. Green's campaign was so irrelevant, it was not even a topic of conversation in Black communities.

Maddox alleges Green is “an ally of Robert Abrams.” We have to go way back for this one. Then Governor Mario Cuomo appointed Robert Abrams as special prosecutor in the aftermath of the 1987 Tawana Brawley incident. Maddox was legal counsel to Tawana and her mother Glenda Brawley. Rev. Al Sharpton and then attorney C. Vernon Mason were family advisors and helped shine light on the incident.

During the ensuing years, the case has been deemed a “hoax” in MSM. Misrepresentations of the facts of the case live to this day. A November 7 Daily News article asserted “activist Alton Maddox lost a defamation suit brought by prosecutor Steven Pagones, whom [he] falsely accused in the Brawley case.” Maddox's response? “A Dutchess County petit jury found in Pagones v. Maddox et. al that I did not defame Pagones when I asserted that he was involved in the kidnapping and rape of Tawana Brawley. I publicly and lawfully continue to accuse Pagones, to this day, of being involved in the kidnapping and rape of Tawana Brawley.” Maddox has been suspended from the practice of law for two decades, in part because he refused to violate attorney-client privileges, in part because he sought the truth.

The release of any and all documents related to the Tawana Brawley incident would help clear the air, and the record.

The proceedings for the eviction of Maddox from his home of 33 years present a legal conundrum for Maddox, the “alleged” landlord, and the Housing Court judge. Maddox has endured, and won three court cases over his rent stabilized apartment during the past 10 years; two at trial, one on appeal. Yet Maddox is still in court fighting to retain his home.

According to Maddox, PWV Acquisition, LLC has refused to offer renewal leases for 10 years, while collecting rent and simultaneously seeking eviction. Oddly, Maddox says PWV Acquisition has not produced a deed in any of the proceedings and has not proven ownership, which effectively gives them no standing to take the Maddox's to court.

In October, Maddox wrote a letter to NYS Attorney General Andrew Cuomo outlining the situation which states in part, “This problem started after your office approved a condominium plan for the purported 'landlord.'”

PWV Acquisition's eviction case against Maddox is before Manhattan Housing Court Judge Jean T. Schneider. According to Maddox, “Judge Schneider had dismissed a prior dispossess proceeding in 2002 between the same parties because the 'landlord' lacked a deed. The 'landlord' was still unable to prove ownership or to produce a deed on May 1, 2009.”

One thing is certain. There is never a dull moment in Alton Maddox's life.

STANDING UP FOR JUSTICE

Submitted by Radio Rahim (not verified) on Mon, 12/14/2009 - 1:40pm.

Thank you for this story about Bro Alton Maddoxx. Women should all get behind this man, at least his wife is behind him. Women can really make the differance here, he is the ONLY lawyer facing so much injustice because he stood up for our women. I often also wonder why so many elected men of color are afraid to stand up belong side this warrior, its clear to me that the rape of our sister was not a hoax.Courage is something Mr Maddox carries within his blood, he is in constant touch with God, and the anscestors.For over 25 years i have seen this man fight the legal system and win. Today

most have no idea how much he cares for our children,its a shame that those elected dont embrace the benifits of his fight for our women and people as a whole.What i expect to happen is a victory

for his years of work, inspite of what others think,and when that becomes clear to the masses change will occur. NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE. Peace up.

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