Grasso Seeks to Block Judge’s Action

Richard Grasso, the former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, filed court papers in an attempt to stop a judge from holding a trial without a jury on part of the state’s challenge to his $190-million pay package.

Grasso’s lawyers argued in an appeal Tuesday that Supreme Court Judge Charles Ramos shouldn’t divide the case. An appeals court clerk, Ronald Uzenski, said the judges were scheduled to decide by Sept. 5 whether to grant Grasso’s request for a delay of the trial, set for Oct. 16, while they decide the appeal.

“It makes no sense to sever a claim and try it first,” Grasso attorney Mark Zauderer said. “It’s obvious the state will engage in any legal maneuver possible to keep Mr. Grasso from trying his case before a jury.”

Ramos said Thursday he would decide the issue of whether Grasso’s final compensation agreement was unreasonable.