Leaders of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) may soon see a major lawsuit against them dismissed, thanks to the U.S. government.Actually, the DOJ often seeks intervener status where suits against foreign governments could effect US relations.
Last Thursday, the Department of Justice (DoJ) filed a notice in U.S. District Court in Miami of its “potential participation” in the lawsuit, which alleges that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, U.A.E.’s prime minister and vice president, and his brother, Hamdan, U.A.E.’s finance minister, enslaved boys as jockeys in camel races.
With the prospect of federal intervention, the lawsuit may be dismissed. After the suit was filed in September 2006, the U.A.E. leaders hired a camp of lobbyists, public-relations consultants and attorneys in Washington to push the Bush administration to weigh in on the case through a “statement of interest.” The effort has cost the sheikhs more than $3.5 million so far, according to the latest records filed with the Justice Department.
Cost "$3.5 million"? That is like a penny to the Oil Sheiks.
U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga is considering a motion by the U.A.E. to dismiss the case. But the Emirates may have won more time with Thursday’s notice, in which Justice Department lawyers asked Altonaga to consider deferring the motion for 60 days so that government attorneys can consult further on whether they will file a “substantive memorandum” describing U.S. interests.
Altonaga heard arguments yesterday for and against dismissing the suit, and said she might not even wait for the government to weigh in on the case, according to representatives for both sides. She adjourned without offering a final decision on the suit.
Since last yearÂ’s controversy surrounding Dubai Ports World, the U.A.E. has hired a number of Washington representatives to build more ties in America as well as preempt challenges such as the lawsuit.
One of the countryÂ’s top plaintiff law firms, Motley
Motley-Rice beat Big Tobacco, but DOJ Amicus' filings killed their Petition in the 9-11 Suit. My lawyer works for Dewey, Cheatem and Howe.