Bevilacqua v CRP/Extell Parcel I, L.P.

Bevilacqua v CRP/Extell Parcel I, L.P. 2015 NY Slip Op 01757 Decided on March 3, 2015 Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports.

Decided on March 3, 2015
Acosta, J.P., Andrias, Saxe, Richter, JJ.
14408 155615/12

[*1] Chris Bevilacqua, Plaintiff-Appellant,

v

CRP/Extell Parcel I, L.P., et al., Defendants-Respondents.

Held & Hines, LLP, New York (James K. Hargrove of counsel), for appellant.

Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, Armonk (Jason C. Cyrulnik of counsel), for respondents.

Order, Supreme Court, New York County (Ellen M. Coin, J.), entered July 11, 2013, which granted defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint on the grounds of res judicata, collateral estoppel, and failure to state a cause of action, unanimously affirmed, without costs.

Plaintiff's claims for return of his down payment and rescission of his condominium unit purchase agreement were precluded by the Attorney General's prior determination against him and the article 78 proceeding dismissing his challenge to it, which barred the claims that he brought and those that he could have brought (see Sweeny v New York City Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene, 91 AD3d 420, 421 [1st Dept 2012], lv denied 19 NY3d 802 [2012]). Contrary to plaintiff's claimed understanding, neither the administrative determination nor the judgment dismissing his petition contained language authorizing the instant action. We reject plaintiff's contention that the administrative proceeding was not sufficiently judicial to warrant according it preclusive effect; as in related cases involving purchasers seeking rescission and return of their down payments for units in the same condominium, there were no issues that would have been illuminated by an evidentiary hearing or cross examination (see Coffey v CRP/Extell Parcel I, L.P., 117 AD3d 585 [1st Dept 2014], lv dismissed 24 NY3d 934 [2014]; Matter of CRP/Extell Parcel I, L.P. v Cuomo, 101 AD3d 473 [1st Dept 2012]). Upon our review of the complaint, we agree with the motion court that the fraud claims are preempted by the Martin Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder (see Assured Guar. [UK] Ltd. v J.P. Morgan Inv. Mgt. Inc., [*2]18 NY3d 341, 353 [2011]; Berenger v 261 W. LLC, 93 AD3d 175, 184 [1st Dept 2012]).

We have considered plaintiff's other contentions and find them unavailing.

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER

OF THE SUPREME COURT, APPELLATE DIVISION, FIRST DEPARTMENT.

ENTERED: MARCH 3, 2015

CLERK