Research


Scope and Content Note

This series consists of correspondence with the Governor's Office (particularly the Governor's Counsel), state and federal legislators, the Attorney General's Office, and other state agencies, interested individuals and private organizations concerned with the board's functions. Also included are files on cases (e.g. the Jean Harris case, the Dog Day Afternoon case, the Jack Abbot case, and the Son of Sam case) that have received significant public attention. These files include copies of court testimony, correspondence between lawyers and board officials, news clippings regarding the cases, and correspondence with claimants concerning compensation. Most cases involve the compensation of the crime victims from monies derived by criminals from books or movies portraying their crimes.

The series also contains interagency correspondence regarding the board's administrative operations and routine administrative records concerning personnel matters, work schedules, employee relations, etc. The series documents the administrations of commissioners Ronald Zweibel (1978-1988), Catharine Abate (1988-1990), and Barbara Leak (1990-current). Pre-1978 files appear to have been destroyed.