The U.S Supreme Court today denied lead plaintiff Harry Arzoumanian’s petition for review of a 9th Circuit Court ruling, in the case of Arzoumanian vs. Munich RE. By way of background, Arzoumanian and other plaintiffs are suing Munich RE for unpaid insurance claims arising out of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
The lower court interpreted the California law that allows heirs of genocide survivors to file suit against insurance companies and other entities as an intrusion upon the federal government’s right to conduct foreign relations. The 9th Circuit Court questioned the motives of the California legislature and issued its ruling on the basis of it being preempted by the rights conferred upon the federal government.
On the other hand, We, along with petitioners Igor Timofeyev, Lee Boyd were arguing that the issue at hand was one of State powers and that this decision was a clear over-reach of the Federal government upon the State legislature.
Be that as it bay, we will keep you updated as things progress along with your particular case.
