Judge Hellerstein: Silverstein Cannot Collect Additional $3.5 Billion in WTC Losses from Airlines

After hearing four days of testimony, Judge Hellerstein ruled from the bench yesterday that Larry Silverstein's World Trade Center Properties cannot pursue claims against the airlines for damages arising from the 9/11 attacks.  According to multiple sources, Hellerstein said that permitting Silverstein to recover $3.5 billion from the airlines - in addition to the $4.1 billion  paid by property insurers in 2004 - would be compensating him twice for the same loses, which is prohibited by New York law.