58:10-23.11f15. Representation other than by Attorney General; intervention

8. a. In the event the Attorney General determines that (1) appearing and defending a contractor pursuant to P.L.1991, c.373 (C.58:10-23.11f8 et al.) involves an actual or potential conflict of interest between the State and the contractor, or (2) the act or omission giving rise to the claim is either not within the scope of the contract, or involves gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, intentional tort, bad faith, intentional breach of contract, or criminal misconduct by the contractor, the Attorney General shall decline in writing to appear or defend, or shall promptly withdraw as attorney for the contractor. The contractor thereupon may employ his own attorney to appear and defend against the claim.

b. If the Attorney General declines to appear and defend a contractor by reason of an actual or potential conflict of interest, the Attorney General shall authorize indemnification of the contractor for the amount of the judgment in excess of the amount of contractor's indemnification deductible and less the copayment, and reasonable legal expenses and court costs incurred by the contractor in defending against the amount of the claim or judgment in excess of the contractor's deductible.

c. If the Attorney General declines to appear and defend, or withdraws from defending, on the grounds that the act or omission giving rise to the claim or costs was not within the scope of the contract, or was the result of gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, intentional tort, bad faith, intentional breach of contract, or criminal misconduct on the part of the contractor, but the court finds that the act or omission was within the scope of the contract, or was not the result of gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, intentional tort, bad faith, intentional breach of contract, or criminal misconduct on the part of the contractor, the Attorney General shall authorize indemnification of the contractor for the amount of the judgment in excess of the amount of the contractor's indemnification deductible, and reasonable legal expenses and court costs incurred by the contractor in defending against the amount of the claim or judgment in excess of the contractor's deductible.

d. The State shall have the right to intervene in any case that may involve State indemnification and the court shall, at the request of the State, make a finding as to whether the contractor's actions were a result of gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, intentional tort, bad faith, intentional breach of contract, or criminal misconduct.

L.1991,c.373,s.8; per s.22, section expired January 10, 1995.