Opinion ID: 629120
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Ford LTD and Mercury Sable Transaction

Text: 18 John N. (Bud) Kearney was the founder and co-owner of Bud Kearney, Inc., a Ford/Mercury dealership in Albany County. John H. Kearney, Bud Kearney's son, was a co-owner and in charge of daily operations. Coyne had been a friend of the Kearney family for forty years. 19 During Coyne's tenure as County Executive, the County purchased three new vehicles for his use, all from Bud Kearney, Inc. In June 1988, the County traded in five vehicles to Bud Kearney, Inc. toward the purchase of the new vehicles. One of the five vehicles traded in was a 1984 Ford LTD that Coyne had driven for a time as County Executive. Bud Kearney, Inc. then gave the Ford LTD to Coyne, who gave it to his daughter. However, both she and Coyne used it. The Ford LTD had a retail value of $5,625. 20 During this same time period, Coyne informed John H. Kearney that there would be bids for the purchase of another County car for his use, and that he wanted a Mercury Sable. Coyne specified numerous features as necessary, including leather seats, a sun-roof, a maroon exterior, a gray interior, a particular tire size, certain rearview mirrors, and power seats. On July 5, the County published bids for the car. Bids were opened on July 28. However, on June 7, Bud Kearney, Inc. ordered a Mercury Sable that contained every feature Coyne wanted. Because of production schedules for 1989 models, June 8 was the last day a dealer could order a new 1988 Mercury Sable. When the bids were opened on July 28, another dealer's bid was $788 less than the Bud Kearney, Inc. bid, but that car did not meet Coyne's specifications. The Bud Kearney, Inc. bid was accepted.