Insurer Sues Over Disputed Harlem Bond Agreement
Westchester Fire Insurance Company seeks to recover funds tied to an indemnity agreement allegedly signed by Brandon Miller.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Construction
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Westchester Fire Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Chubb, has filed a lawsuit to recover $150,000 in settlement payments and over $100,000 in legal fees. The insurer claims the funds relate to a construction bond agreement signed by the late Brandon Miller in 2018 for a project at 2226 Third Avenue.
Why it matters
The lawsuit centers on whether a signature on a mechanic's lien bond agreement is legally binding. Solil Management and Greater Emanuel Baptist Church argue they never authorized the deal, challenging the insurer's attempt to recoup costs associated with a construction dispute.
The insurer is seeking a total of $150,000 for a construction dispute settlement plus an additional $100,000 in associated legal expenses. These figures stem from a 2018 mechanic's lien bond for a life sciences project in Harlem.
The players
Westchester Fire Insurance Company
This insurance firm is a subsidiary of Chubb and is currently pursuing legal action to recover costs from a disputed bond settlement.
Brandon Miller
He was a figure associated with Solil Management and a holding company for Greater Emanuel Baptist Church who died in July 2024.
Solil Management
This is a real estate management entity named as a defendant in the lawsuit regarding the validity of a signed bond agreement.
Greater Emanuel Baptist Church
This religious institution is a defendant in the litigation and maintains that it did not authorize the agreement signed in its name.
The details
The indemnity agreement in question named Brandon Miller as a member of both Solil Management and the holding company for Greater Emanuel Baptist Church. The defendants contend that the agreement is void because Miller lacked the authority to bind them to the mechanic's lien bond contract.
Timeline
2015: REEC assumed the leasehold at 313-315 West 125th Street.
March 2018: REEC signed a ground lease at 325 East 118th Street.
2018: Brandon Miller allegedly signed the contested indemnity agreement.
July 2024: Brandon Miller died.
Market Landscape
This case highlights the risks inherent in construction-related financial instruments where signature authority is contested between insurers and project stakeholders. It follows a pattern set by the standard industry practice for mechanic's lien bond indemnification, where insurers seek recovery from project stakeholders when disputes arise.
While this litigation primarily concerns corporate entities, it underscores the importance of verifying authorization for financial documents in real estate development. The outcome could set a precedent for how developers and institutions protect themselves against unauthorized financial commitments.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder for business stakeholders to rigorously monitor and restrict who has the legal authority to sign binding financial agreements. Implementing strict internal controls for document signing can prevent complex and costly litigation involving third-party insurers.
Further reading
For more information on the local industry, visit the Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Real Deal New York.
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