Lawyer attacks NY Life in Armenian case

United Press International
May 28, 2004 Friday

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., May 28 (UPI) — New York Life has been accused
of not properly notifying descendants of Armenian Genocide victims
who are owed $20 million from the company.

The allegation comes from the attorney involved in the $20 million
settlement, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Friday.

Ben Nutley, who represented three claimants in the class-action
case, has asked a judge to order New York Life to include the words
Armenian Genocide in public notices of the settlement and to broaden
its advertising of the deal.

“We’re saying the notice wasn’t disseminated widely, correctly or
accurately,” Nutley said.

Any unclaimed money will go into a fund to be distributed to Armenian
charities identified in the agreement, he said. He said legal notices
appearing in newspapers leave out the term “Armenian Genocide.”

But New York Life says it has carefully followed the court’s
instructions.

“The terms of the settlement, including the notice provisions, were
negotiated by attorneys on both sides and subject to court approval,”
said spokesman William Werfelman.

The insurance company reached a $20 million settlement in January with
descendants of Armenian policyholders who perished in the genocide
of 1915.