JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v Brown

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JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v Brown 2015 NY Slip Op 32518(U) December 16, 2015 Supreme Court, Suffolk County Docket Number: 09605/2013 Judge: Thomas F. Whelan Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip Op 30001(U), are republished from various state and local government websites. These include the New York State Unified Court System's E-Courts Service, and the Bronx County Clerk's office. This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official publication. [* 1] Si !ORT FORM ORDER ..... _. lNDEX No. 09605/2013 SUPREME COURT - STATE OF NEW YORK f.A.S. PART 33 - SUFFOLK COUNTY PRES E NT: Hon. THOMAS f. WHELAN Justice of the Supreme Court ---------------------------------------------------------------X JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, -againstDANA BROWN, RUSSELL BROWN, III, BROOKHAVEN MEMORIAL HOS PITAL, CLERK OF THE SUFFOLK COUNTY DISTRJCT : COURT, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT Of TAXATION AND FINANCE, PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, TOWN SUPERVISOR, TOWN OF ISLIP, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, "JOHN DOES" and "JANE DOES", said names being fictitious, parties intended: being possible tenants or occupants of premises and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, MOTION DATE: 10/21/15 SUBMIT DATE: 11127/1 5 Mot. Seq. 002 - MG CDJSP: NO ROSICKJ, ROSICKI & ASSOC. Attys. For Plaintiff 26 Harvester Ave. Batavia, NY 14020 KLEMANOWICZ, HOLMQUIST Attys. For Defendant Brown 300 Old Country Rd. Mineola, NY 11501 Defendants. ---------------------------------------------------------------)( Upon the following papers numbered I to _ 9 _ read on this renewed motio'n for accelerated judgments, substitution of parties and an order of reference ; Notice of Motion/Order to Show Cause and supporting papers ..l...:..L; Notice of Cross Motion and supporting papers ; Answering papers 6-7 Reply papers 8-9 ; Other ; (1111d a Rei Item i1 1g eou11.5el i11 ~t1ppo1t1111d opposed to tlte motio11) it is, ORDERED that this renewed motion (#002) by the plaintiff for accelerated judgments on its complaint, the deletion of certain party defendants and an order of reference is considered under CPLR 3212, 3215 and RPAPL § 1321 and is granted. [* 2] JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association v Brown Index No. 09605/2013 Page 2 The plaintiff commenced this action in April 2013 to foreclose the single lien of consolidated mortgages given by the Brown defendants. A first note and mortgage was given to RBC Mortgage Company on September 9, 2003 which secured the principal indebtedness of a note of the same date in the amount of $235,000.00. A second gap note was executed by the Brown defendants in favor of the plaintiff on May 11 , 2007 to secure a gap mortgage executed by them on the same day in the amount of $105,057.60. The Browns also executed on that date a consolidated mortgage note in favor of the plaintiff in the principal amount of $329,000.00, which note stated on the face thereof that it "amends, restates in their entirety and is given in substitution for the notes described in Exhibit A of the New York Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement dated the same date as this Note". The first note and mortgage of September 9, 2003 and the gap note and mortgage ofMay 11, 2007 were the subject of the Consolidation, Extension and Modification Agreement [CEMA] of May 11 , 2007 between the plaintiff and the Brown defendants, to which the consolidated note referred. A consolidated mortgage indenture was also prepared and dated May 11 , 2007, but the same was not executed by the Brown defendants. In its complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the Brown defendants defaulted in their payment obligations on May 1, 2011 and that such default remains uncured. Following service of the summons and complaint, defendant Russell Drown, III appeared herein by answer and therein challenged the plaintiff's standing to prosecute its claims for foreclosure and sale. The plaintiff previously moved for the relief sought herein in September of 2014. The action was then assigned to the case inventory of another Justice of this court but was transferred to this court in January of 20 15. Determination of the plaintiffs motion was held in abeyance pending conclusion of the settlement conference procedures required by CPLR 3408. Dy order dated May 14, 2015, this court denied the plaintiff s motion due its failure to establish possession of the notes prior to the commencement of the action. At a recent conference before the court held in accordance with the court's order of May 14, 2015, the plaintiff applied for and was granted leave to renew its prior motion pursuant to CPLR 2221. By this renewed motion (#002), the plaintiff seeks the relief sought in its original motion. The plaintiff claims to have remedied the defects in its prior motion by the attachment of a new affidavit of "possession" in which an employee ofthe plaintifPs assignee states that the original note was physically in the possession of the plaintiff on May 11, 2007, the date of the defendants' execution of the gap note and mortgage in favor of the plaintiff, the CEMA and the consolidated note in the full amount of the monies owing to the plaintiff. The motion is opposed by answering defendant, Russell Brown, in an affirmation by his counsel. Therein, defense counsel challenges the plaintiffs proof as to its receipt p f the first note and the admissibility of the affidavit of merit on which the plaintiff relies. The plaintiff disputes the contentions of defense counsel in the reply papers of its counsel. [* 3] JPMorgan Chase Bank, National /\ssociation v Brown Index No. 09605/2013 Page 3 For the reasons stated below the motion is granted. Entitlement to a judgment of foreclosure is established, as a matteroflaw, where the plaintiff produces both the mortgage and unpaid note, together with evidence of the mortgagor's default, thereby shifting the burden to the mo11gagor to demonstrate, through both competent and admissi blc evidence, any defense which could raise a question of fact (see Mfr/first Bank v Agho, l 21 A D3d 343, 99 1NYS2d623 [2d Dept 2014]; Plaza Equities, LLC vLamberti, 118 AD3d 688, 986NYS2d 843 [2d Dept 20 141; Emigrant Mtge. Co., Inc. v Beckerman, 105 AD3d 895, 964 NYS2d 548 [2d Dept 2013]; Solomon v B11rde11, 104 AD3d 839, 961 NYS2d535 [2d Dept 2013]; US Bank Natl. Ass'11. v Denaro, 98 AD3d 964, 950 NYS2d 581 [2d Dept 2012]; Baron Assoc., LLC v Garcia Group Enter., 96 AD3d 793, 946 NYS2d 611 l2d Dept 2012]; Citibank, N.A. v Vim Brunt Prop., LLC, 95 AD3d 1158, 945 NYS2d 330 (2d Dept 20 12]; HSBC Bank v Slzwartz, 88 AD3d 961, 93 1 NYS2d 528 (2d Dept 2011 J). Where, as here, the plaintifrs standing has been placed in issue by the defendant's answer, the plaintiff also must establish its standing as pai1 of its prima facie showing (see Aurora Loan Servs., LLC v Taylor, 25 NY3d 355, 12 NYS3d 612 [2015J; Lo(mcare 111 Firs/ting, 130 AD3d 787, 2015 WL 4256095 [2d Dept 20 15]; HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v Baptiste, 128 AD3d 77, 10 NYS2d 255 [2d Dept 2015]). A foreclosing plaintiff has standing if it is either the holder or the assignee of the underlying note at the time that the action is commenced (see A urom Loan Servs., LLC v Taylor, 25 NY3d 355, supra). "Either a written assignment of the underlying note or the physical delivery of it to the plaintiff prior to the commencement of the action is sufficient to transfer the obligation" (see id., Wells Fargo Bank, NA v Parker, 125 A03d 848, 5 NYS3d 130 [2d Dept 2015]; U.S. Bank N.A. v Guy, 125 AD3d 845, 5 NYS3d 116 [2015]). Proof that the plaintiff was in possession of the note on a day certain prior to the commencement of the action is sufficient to establish, prima facie, the plaintiffs possession of the requisite standing to prosecute its claims for foreclosure and sale (see A urora Loa11 Servs., LLC v Taylor, 25 NY3d 355, supra; Loancare v Firs/zing, 130 AD3d 787, supra; Emigrant Bank v Larizza, I 29 AD3d 904, 13 NYS3d 129 [2d Dept 20 15]). Alternatively, standing may be established by due proof of the particulars of note delivery to the plaintiff prior to the commencement of the action (see Deutsche Ba11k N at. Trust v Weiss, 133 AD3d 704, 20 l 5WL 7270431 12d Dept 20 15 ]; Flagstar Bank, FSB v. Anderson , 129 A.D.3d 665, 12 NYS3d I 19 [2d Dept 2015]; Ba11k of A m erica, N.A. v Paulsen , 125 AD3d 909, 6 NYS2d 68 (2d Dept 2015); Deutsch e Bank Natl. US Bank Nat. Ass'n v Faruque, 120 AD3d 575, 991NYS2d63 1[2d Dept 20 14]; Trust Co. v Haller, 100 AD3d 680, 954 NYS2d 551 [2d Dept 2012]; HSBC Bank USA v Henumdez, 92 AD3d 843, 939 NYS2d 120 [2d Dept 2012J). Delivery of the note to a custodial agent of the plaintiff on a date prior to the commencement of the action will also suffice to establish the standing of a foreclosing plaintiff under the foregoing rule (see Deutsche Bank Natl. Trust Co. v Whale11 , I 07 AD3d 931, 969 NYS2d 82 l2d Dcpt2013];HSBCB ank USA, Natl. Ass'n vSage, 112 AD3d 1126, 977 NYS2d 446 (3d Dept 20131). [* 4] JPMorgan Chase Bank. National /\ssociation v Drown Index No. 09605/20 13 Page4 Herc, the new af'fidavit of possession submitted by the plaintiff's assignee in which she averred that the plaintiff had possession of the first note on May 11, 2007, the date on which the plaintiff advanced new monies to the defendants under the terms of a gap note and mortgage, the consolidated note and the CEMA sufficiently established the admissibility ofthe affiant's statements under the business records exception to the hearsay rule (see Portfolio Recovery Assoc., LLC v Lall, 127 AD3d 576, 8 NYS2d 101 r1st Dept 2015!; Wells Fargo Ba11k, N.A. vArias, 121 AD3d 973, 995 NYS2d 118 [2d Dept 2014]; K&K Enter. Inc. vStemcor USA Inc., 100 /\D3d 415, 954 NYS2d 512 [I st Dept 2012]; Lam/mark Capitallnv., Inc. v Li-Shan Wang, 94 ADd3d 418, 941 NYS2d 144 [1st Dept 2012]; Merrill Lynell Bus. Fin. Serv., Inc. v Trataros Constr., 30 AD3d 336, 819 NYS2d 223 (1st Dept 20061). The court thus finds that the standing of the plaintiff was duly established by the proof submitted on this renewed motion for accelerated judgments. The challenges to the plaintiff's standing advanced in the opposing papers of defendant Russell Brown are thus rejected as unmeritorious as is his pleaded standing defense. The moving papers also sufficiently established, prima facie, lhe necessary elements ofclaim for foreclosure and sale as they included copies of the notes, the mortgages and the CEMA and due proof of a default in payment on the part of the Brown defendants. The plaintiffs submissions also included a prima faeie demonstration that the remaining affirmative defenses asserted in the answer of defendant Russell Brown, arc without merit. No question of fact was raised with respect to theses matters as the answering defendant did not assert them in his opposing papers (see New York Commercial Bank vJ. Realty F Rockaway, Ltd. , 108 AD3d 756, 969 NYS2d 796 (2d Dept 2013]; Starkman v City of Long Beaclt, 106 /\D3d 1076, 965 NYS2d 609 (2d Dept 2013]; see also Kuehne & Nagel, Inc. v Baidell, 36 NY2d 539, 369 NYS2d 667 p 975]; Madeline D'Antliony Enter., Inc. vSokolowsky, 10 l /\D3d 606, 957 NYS2d 88 [I st Dept 20l2];Argent Mtge. Co., LLC vMentesmw, 79 J\D3d 1079, 915 NYS2d 591 l2d Dept2010J). The court thus awards the plaintiff summary judgment dismissing all of the affirmative defenses asserted in the answer of defendant, Russell Brown, and summary judgment on the plaintifrs complaint against said defendant. Those portions of the plaintiff's motion wherein the plaintiff seeks an order identifying the first name of John Doe# I to be Monica Doe and the deletion of the remaining unknown defendants, an order substituting Bayview Loan Services, LLC for the plaintiff and caption amendments to reflect these changes are granted, there being no opposition. The moving papers further established the default in answering on the part of the remaining defendants served with process, including two persons served as unknown defendants, none whom served answers to the plaintiffs complaint and the plaintiff's entitlement to derault judgments against them (see HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v Alexander, 124 AD3d 838, 2015 WL 361008 [2d Dept 2015]; U.S. Bank, N.A. v Razo11, 115 J\D3d 739, 740, 981 NYS2d 571 f2d Dept 2014J). [* 5] .I PM organ Chase J3ank, National /\ssociation v Brown Index No. 09605/20 13 Page 5 /\ccordingly, the defaults ofall such defendants arc hereby fixed and determined. Since the plaintiff has been awarded summary judgment against the answering defendant and has established defaults in answering by the remaining defendants j oincd herci n by service of process, the plaintiff is entitled to an order appointing a referee to compute amounts due under the subject note and mortgage (see RP APL § 1321; Bank of East Asia, Ltd. v Smitlt, 201/\D2d522, 607 NYS2d 431 l2d Dept 1994]; Vermont Fed. Bank v Cltase, 226 AD2d 1034, 641NYS2d440 r3d Dept 1996]; LaSalle Bank~ NA v Pace, 31 Misc3d 62 7, 919 NYS2d 794 [Sup. Ct. Suffolk County 201 1], aff'd. l 00 AD3d 970, 955 NYS2d 161 [2d Dept 2012]). Proposed Order of Reference, as modified by the court to reflect the krms of this order, has been marked signed simultaneously herewith. /b, . ./ Dated: December 2015 )

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