Schettino v Tedesco

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Schettino v Tedesco 2016 NY Slip Op 32523(U) September 21, 2016 Supreme Court, Suffolk County Docket Number: 12-22120 Judge: Joseph Farneti 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 It ilU f·ORi'vl ORDER COPY INDEX No. 1? -22 I ?O SUPREME COURT - STATE Of NEW YORK l. A.S. PART 37 - SUFFOLK COUNTY PRE SEN T: I Ion. JOSEPH FARNETI Acting Justice Supreme Court MOTION DATE 5-29-12 (001) MOTION DATE 12-11- I 4 (002) MOTION DATE 8-20-15 (003) MOTION DATE I 0- 13- 15 (004) MOTION DATE 11-5- 15 (005) ADJ. DATE 11-12-15 Mot. Seq. #001 -MD #002-MD #003-MotD #004-MD #005-XMotD ----------------------------------------------------------------)( LUIGI SCHETTJNO, as Administrator of the Estate of WILLIAM F. SCHETTTNO, Deceased, Plaintiff BARKET, MARION, EPSTEIN & KEARON. !..LP Attorney for Plaintiff 666 Old Country Road, Suite 700 Garden City. New York 11530 DENNIS M. BROWN SUFFOLK COUNTY ATTORNEY - against RICHARD TEDESCO, SUFFOLK COUNTY Attorney for Defendants SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT and COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, H. Lee Dennison Building l 00 Veterans M emoria l Highway Hauppauge, New York 11788 Defendants. ----------------------------------------------------------------)( Upon the fol lowing papers numbered 1 to _filL read on these motions for and opposed to discovery ; Notice or Motion/ Order to Show Cause and suppo11ing papers I - 8. 22 - 27, 36 - 48, 57 - 65 ; Notice of Cross Motion and suppo11ing papers _ 66 - 76 ; Answering Affidavits and supporting papers 9 - 18 28 - 35 49 - 54 ; Replying Affidavits and supporting papers I - 2 1, 55 - 56 77 - 78. 79 - 80 ; Other_; (and atk1 laea1 i11g eo tm.~el ill .~npport and opposed to the 1 11oliort) it is, ORDERED that these motions are hereby consolidated for p urposes of this determination; and it is further OR.DERED that the motion (#00 J) by the plaintiff for an Order, pursuant to CPLR 3 124, compell ing the defendants to comply with the plaintifrs combined demand for discovery dated August 16, 2012, is denied~ and it is forther [* 2] SL'hl'tli 11u \ l ..:d..:Sl'\) lndc:-.: >iu. I ~-..::i..::i 1..::i11 ORDERED th<ll thl' 11Hllio11 (sL'lJ. ii OO~) h) th1.: plain tiff purs11rn11 tn ( ·1>1 .H :~ :)() 7 :t11d ; I ~ !l. liir the.: issu<tnn: llr .i :m-unk·r..:d subpoena duccs f<' c11111 tn hl· scrn:d tHl tht.: /\..:" Y1lrk "itat..: 1\il il'l' i:- tk11icd '' ithnut prcjudiCL' to rclll'\\al: <llld it is l'urthcr Ol<Dl:Rl~·o tlwt thL' 111ntil111 (seq . 1i 0(/.1 l h) the <.kkndants f"ur an ( >rdcr qu<1 s hi 11 ~ llll· suhpll1.·11:1s duccs t!'c11J11 Sl'r\·l·d h) th..: plai11tiff upon 11onpanies /\' I &T und Sprint/Ne.al'I. and l(ir sa11ctio11s pursu:111t ' In .~ :2 ' )'( ' RI{ ~ 110- 1. 1. is gr<llltl'd In the e:-.:tent that s:.tid suhrol·n;ts :in: quashed. a11d is uthcrn isl' dc..'llil·d: a11d it is runhcr ORDf.R/:1> that tlt1.· 111ntiu11 (s1.·q. ri00..+1 b:-- till' plaintillfi>r an OnJcr co111pclli11g th1.· (krL·11d:111t R it.:11.ird I ..:d..:su1 to suh1nil to :i d..:pl1siti011 conducted hy till' plai11ti rrs lk'\\ Cllllllsel is <.k11icd: a11d it is ru rt her ORDHR/:'/) that th1.: cross llltltion (/1005) by lhl' dclendanis ror an OrdLT rnc<tting. the l\Olil'L' or deposition seeking the deposition 01· the ddendant Richard Tt:clesco and fo r sanctions pursuanl lo 22 Y( 'RR ~ 110- 1. l. is grn ntcd 1o the extent that said notice is vacaled. and is othe1wisc denied. J"l1is actio n arist.:s from a motor whide accident that occurred at ttpproxi111a1cl~· (>:()() p.111. 011 l\1arch I-+. 20 12. in the ''est bound 110 V lane or the Long J sland J ·:xpressway cast nl' I ~:-.: it 5lJ (Ocean :\' c1 c). in the T°"vn or Islip. State of Ne\\' York. The accident occurred \.\-hL'll a vchick operated hy 1t1 the dckndant Richard Tedesco ('Tedesco"). an employee of ddcndant Suffo lk County Sheri lrs lkp<lrtnienl. struck and killed the plaintiffs decedent. William Schcuinn ("Sd1cnino" ). It is 1111disputed that Scl11.'.ltino·s motor vehicle had stopped in the I IOV lane. and that Schettino had oitcu his \chick hdnrc the accidc111. It appears that. because a local la'' cnrorccmcnl oflicer \Vas i11\·olvcd i11 this l~1tal acciLknl. the NC\\ YorJ... State Police ("State Police") investigat..:d the incident. In considering. these motions. seeking or opposing the release or certain records possih l: related th i:-. actinn. it is appropriate to set ronh some: background inl'onnntion regarding the parties· cxcha11gc nr disc losure hL·n:in. This m:tiun was commenced by the filing or a summons um! co111pl<1in l 01 .1111 ) 23 . 1 20 I 2. 1 \llcr issue was joined. tht: plaintiff served a combined d..:mand for discovery and inspection dated i\ugust I(), 2012. ~md the dclcndants served a response dated December 18. 2012. The dckndants s..:n·ed supplc111e11wl rcspt)nses to the plaintiff's co111bincd demand on December I 9. ~01.2 . .l anuar:' 2. 2013. and May 2 1. 20 13. In addition. a preliminary wn!Crcncc wa:s bdd on .lanu<1ry :>.. 20 l .\. w1d lhl· \ dckndunts scrwd a response to prdiminary conforencc order dated January 2. 2013. 1 lk r TL·tksco \\<l s deposed on Fcbruar~ 27. 20 14. the plaintiff served a supplemental discowry demand !()r disco, er: ;111d i11spccLiP11 dated S..:p1c111hcr I 1 ~O I ..J.. and the defendants served the ir response 011 No,·emhLT 7. 20 I..+. ). I lit.:rcalkr. the plaint iff st.:rn.:d suhpocnus duccs tt.:cum tll1 AT&T and Sprint/ e:-.:lL'I Sl'L'ki11l-! TL'Lksco· s 1clcphonc record:-;. ()nor about September 4, 2015. the plain ti ff served a notice to take a second dcpl)Sition nl'Tcde.'>Cll. in The plai11ti1Trnows (seq. /1001) l\l 1.·ompt:l lhc ddl:ndants to fu ll y respond to his comhincd de111:111d datl'd /\uµ.usl I(}. .~ O I '.2. The Cnurl linds that the affi rmat ion of good raith submillcd in support Pr the mntiun is insullicicnt lo \\arrant the relief rc:questcd herein (sc:e l lni li1rn1 l~uks fo r T rial ( 'ts I ~ ~ ~ Y CRR J 202.7 Jaj). Such an anirmatio11 .. shall indicate the tim<:. platx and nature of the co11s11ltatio11 and lht' isslll'S disrnssed and any resolutions. or shall indicate good cause why no such rnnkrra l \\'ith c1)un:-;d li)rnpposingparties was hdd"(Uniform Rules for J'rial C'ts 1 NYCRR ] ~ 202.7 [c l). l kre. 22 the rnovant's arfirniation merely provided that there was two lellers sent lo the dekndanls· aUnrnc:--. It * [* 3] '->chi.:11i1111 \ I nk'>t:ll ln~k'.\ '\11. I ."-22120 d\h.:s 11111 :1ppcar that th..: re \\as an; ..:ffon mad..: 011 tho..;..· ncca-;i\111:> tu 1\:-;111\ c th ..· par111."•: tfi-;co' i.T.' disp11k. hut uni; 10 ;1d\ i-;c the 1.kk11da111s that 1h1.· di-..clusur1.· \\CIS nutsta11di11~. --Tl1L· hmde11is1111 the pan: ...... l·ki11 ~~ -;;111 ..·1irn1..; hasl'd 1111 d1sL·f11surc issuc-; Lo cllmpl: \\ilh l ' 11ili 1 r111 R11k..; IPr I 1iil ( ·1..; 1 -2-~ \ 'd ' I{ I\ I 20 .~. 7 1 121 ~111d Ie 1 Ir lhl' 1110\ ing dd..:ndant ditl not (;()I) kr \\'i lh till· 1>ppo..,i fl~ part ic-.. .11 . n>un-;cl. th1.·; sh11uU ha\ c sci liinh their rcasllllS l(1r 1101 doing so in thl.' al'lirnw1ion. 1111.: court shnuld 111>1 h..: kit to \\ond..:r \\ hl'thl'r an; <.:011-..ultation \\ ith opposing partii:s l'ounsl'i m:curn:d. or he crnnpi:lkd to <1-..:-.u1111.' tht· reasons "h.' 1m co11sult;1lio11 ocrnrn.:d .. (l/11tclti11.wm 1· Langer. 25 Misc 3d 12351 :\I. 21ll)l) :'\ Y Slip< >p )2·1 l •I !Sup Ct. Kings Comity 2009 j). Th..: suhrnincd ill'lirmatin11s mi: ddieii:nt (.\<' <' 271 Tine 1• Co11rt1·iew 011•11er.\ Corp .. -W 1\D:ld lJ<1(1. X38 1 YS2d l):21:2d Dept 2fl07j: Ce\·tam 1• Clti11 . 20 \1)3d 5011. 7l)l) ' \ YS2d t-n I 2d I kpl 2005 j: flames 1· i\'}',\EX, fo e.. 27-t .\ 1)2d :lML 7 11 '\ YS2d ~N1 12d 1kpl 20001 I. ,\n.:ordingl). thi: motion is 1.knied as procedurally ddecli\ c. * ThL· pbi111iff 11Hl\\.'S (Sl.'tJ. /1002) pursuant to CPl.R 2~07 anu CPI R .1120 l(ir Ilk' iss11;1ne1.' nl·;i '\l) 1irtkn.:d -;ubpoi:na dm:1.:s ll.'cu111 Lo he sen cd 1111 the Stall.' Pol i<.:c. a non pan; 10 this act ion. In support or his n101in11. th..· plai111i If suhmits a copy (1r ib supplemental tliswn:ry demand dated 1..\1.'pll.'lllbl.'r 19. ~(} 1-L thi: dd~ndants' rcspunsc dated ·m·i:mbl.'r 7. 20 I ·L and a cop;. or thi: proposi:d subpl11.·1w duccs tcruni tn the Stall.' 1'11licc. In th1.· s ul~jccl di:111and. thi: plaintiff scd.;s. anwng other things. kde'irn· s tckplHlll1.' rcrnrds l(ir lllll' year hefori: and n111.·) car <lfkr thi: dare or this im:idl..'.nl. and ducu n11.·nts from the '-'ta11.· Polici: i1n1.·sti~a1ion . In lht.:ir rl.'spunsc. the Jd~nJ;.mts indicate that thl'~ do not possi:ss the docurncnts ri:quc-;h:d rq,!.ardin!-! lhl' 'taie Polici: ill\Cstigation. and tht.:y object to the release ol'any i11f'orma1ion regarding l l'dl'SCO. s lckphone records or related information. It appear:-. that lhe plaitHi rr s dforts to obtain l'cdi:sco·s tekpholll' records center on his deposition testimony that he did nnt IHJ\'I.' a cdl phoni: in his 'l.·hick al the lillll.' 1)fthis incident. that the phone had hrokcn months before. and that he ··1onkcd up.. to ~l.'1.' Schcuino·~ \1.•hick stoppc<l in the I !OV lane. i\ part~ 111ay obtain c.Jiscovcry from a nonpurty in possession or matter material and nl'ccss:1ry to 1111.· prosccut inn or dl'l~n..;e or thl'ir action upon notice slating the circumslancl.'s or n.:aso11s such disclostrrl.' is s\1t1g.h1 or required (C PLR JI 0 I lal 1-t.J>. It is \\cll-sl.'lllcd that thl.' suhpl)L:naing pan: must l'irsl surficicnll;. slate the circumstanci:s or reasons under!; ing the subpm:na either on the focc or th ..· suhpoc11u itscl r or in a notice accompanying ii. an<l --must include that information in the nnticl' i11 tile lirst i11s1w1ce ... kst it be subject 10 a chalkngl' for facial i11suf'licicncy"' (,'l1atter of lt"apo11 ,. Koc!t . .23 \'. Y )d . 2. 39. ~>88 1YS~<l 559. )6) 1201-t. I: see ct!.w Bia11clt i 1• Galster .lfgt. Corp .. 1.1 1 •\ l).ld 558. I :' 1 '\ YS.1tl 18ll 12d l)..;pt 2015ll. lkcausi: a nonpart; is not likl'I; LO h1: a\\'<.l''I.' of1hc is:-.uc:-. i11 th1.· suh.tcd li1i gatin11. thi: notice 11111'>1 gih· the ri:c ipic1H or the subpocn:.1 ··sunic irn l inl(irmalion to chalkngc the jsuhpocnal on a 111otion to quash " (Matter <~f' l\apo11 1• Koch . 23 Y3d al 39. 988 NYS2d UL )(i~ I. ,\hscnl !ht· rL·quired notice. a subpoena is fo<.:ially delcctivc and a motion lo quash \\'ill he granted c(ii/1011/.l.C1 · 5fJJ Seco11d St., Ll..C. , )0 Mi-;1."kl 12081/\I . 28 . YS.l<l 648 l.· ur ( ·1. Kinµs Cou111~ ~O f (11: Jamaica Wellness Med. , P. C. 11 USAA Court Office Assista111. Insurance. Co .. -t.9 Misc .id')~(). I (l 1\iYS1d ·144 ISup CL Kings County ~O 15 I). I he propos..:d suhpocnu duccs tccum submillcd fiir signalltrL b) the un1.krsigned. and allarh1.·d as ' an ..: . . . hihi1 to the pl:1i111if'f"'s mot ion. docs not contain a notice on its face or othcrn·isc st;ilinb the circumswnecs or rca-;ons that it is rcqm:sting the nrntcrials from the State Police. /\ l1houµ.h it <1ppL·ars that the Stall.' Police .trc. or sl·wuld he. <I\\ arc the reasons for the .>uhjecl subpoi:na. it is 1.ktcnni11i:d that 11!1.· ..;uhpoena is 1:1cially deficient and procl.'durnll; defecti,·c. l lndcr lhc cirrnmstance:-.. the plai111i1f , motion li>r a so onkn:cl suhpoL·na seeking mall.'rials frum the State Police is denied \\·itho11t prej udicl.' to rcnc\\ a I. or [* 4] \1.·hi.:1111111' I1.·i.k-..n1 l11d1..·\ \.n . 1.>221 .)•J J> .1!.!..: I I lh.' d..:k11d:111ls llHl\ 1..· h) onkr ll> slHm ..:ausL' (s..:q. 11 00.~) l\lr an ( >rd..:r qu.ishi11!-! suhpn..:11;1-, :-.1.T\L'd h: thl..'. plain1iff up1111 t\\'U llonpmt) kkphonl' rompanics an<l l(ir -..un..:lion:-. aµa i11st couns1.·I !'or 1h1..· pltiintiff. It is \\·1.·ll-s1..·ttkd lhat. n11c..: a subpui.:naing. party has prn\'id..:d th..: nonpw·t.\ \\illl ndl'lp1:1h.: lll\licv. lhl' p;1r1.\ 1 1 w, · i11~1 lo qu ~1 sh ··n1usl i:stah li:-.h cith..:r 1ha1 th1..· tliscm1.·r: s1H 1 ~h 1 is ·111krl: il'l \'k\:11 111 11· th1..· ;icti1111 ur tlwt the . rut ilit) o!' thl' pniccss l~l llllL'll\'\..'I' <.I ll) lh ing k gitiniak' 1-.. ill1.'\ ilahk o r oh\ iou'>.' '\hould 1h1.• J nw,·am I llll'\..'I this hunkn. the suhpo..:1wi11g. party must thl.'ll cstahli'>h that thl' disco\ 1..·r.\ '11u~h1 i-.. ·mat1.-ri;il .111d 111.·..:cssa r~ · to Lh1.: pmsl'cu1io11 nr ddi.:nsc or an action. i.1.· .. that it i:-. n:k\ a111·· t.\/aller <~/ l\apo11 1· A :od1 . 23. Y3d al 3-L 988 1 YS2d at )(12) . ...\11 applicatil1n to quash a suh1l\11..·11.1 'ho11l1l hl' grantl.'d. oJnl) \\ hnl.' the l'utilily 01'th1.• pro<:l'SS lO UnCO\l'r anything kgiti111at\..' is itll'\ ilahk lll' 11ln ious' ... or" hn1.· tllL' infi1nnatin11 sough t is 'ull..: rl: irri.:I..:' a11t lo any prnp..:r i11quir: · .. (.l lalfer <~/' A·awm 1· 1\.oclt . id. . ci1i11µ . 111/1£'11.\·er- Busc/J. foe. " . l bn11m . 71 !\Y.2d >~7. :n I. :-i.2) ·ys.::d XI Cl I I '>88JJ. I k rL'. 1hc ddi.:11d<11lls lwvc l~1ikd to mccl thi.:ir burdl'n that the 111~1kri.ib ri.:qu..:sti.:d frnm lhl· 11<111part: kkpl1011c cnmpanie:-. arc uucrl~ irrck,·ant or arl' ol1\'iously li.1Lik in u1H.:m cri11g. an~ 1h111g kgitimatc in this action.' I lcl\\L'\l:r. the subpoenas duccs Lccum issued t i ) t\T&'I and Sprint '0.:c:-.td dP not contain a noticl.' on thl.'ir foci.: M nlher\\ isi.: slating the circumstancl's or 1Taso11s that it is rcqui.:,Lmg 1hi.: materials from said 1w11part ics. llndn the ci rcumstanccs. the subpol·nas "hi..:h arl.' th..: suh.kct nr 1h1..· i11s1ant motion an: quashl'd as ra..:ially dcricicnl and prn<.:cdurally dd\.:ctivl'. R..:g.ardless. thL' hrnrn;h o!'tlH.: dl.'.lendants· mot ion which s..:ds sam:tions against Cl)llnsi.: I rnr th1.· plai111iff is di.:nicJ. The graV<llllCll or the c.klcndants' contenti on i ~ that thi.: right LO th..: materials sought in till' su bpoenas snvcd upon lhc telephone companies is an issue bcfo1·l' the undersignl'd. and an a11cmp1 h) Lhi.: plaintiff ··10 sic.k skp th..: disco\'i.:ry process that is curr..:ntly taking p!Jcl' hdor..: th\.'. Court." In :1ddition. counsd for th..: ddi.:ntlanls contcmls that the subj..:<:t subpoenas Cl>11stitult.: a "fishing 1.''q11.·dition," and that tlll'Y cannot bl' issued until a noti.: nr i:-.suc is likd. Blllh or th..:s1.· latter co11t1..·111ions arl.' "ithlHll 1111.'rit. \ part~ is gcncrull~· free to Sl.'kt:t the discm·cry Jc,·ic..:s the;. "i:·d1 tn use and th1..· ortkr in "hich to us\..' them (,·e,· Samide 1• Roma11 Catlw lic Diocese <~f Brook ~ 1 ·11. f() /\1>:1d -l82. 791 NYS2d (1 ..n 12d lkplj). Till' l'<.1c1 thal plaintirrs right LO ohl:i in Ted..:sco's Ld::plllrnc records from the dl.'li.:mlanl s "as pr..:sl.'llll'd !'or n dL'lcrm inat ion hy the undersig11l'd in plainiilTs motion sl'q. !100 I docs nnl llll.'<lll th:11 th1..· plni111iff111ust alx11H.lo11 altcrnatiw mdhods of' obtaining dis<:ovcry in thi s action. I he Cuurl finds that th..: plaintirrs s..:n·i<.:c ol'the -;ubji.:ct suhpo..:nas \\hik ;d-;o sl·..:king Lo co111pd till· ddi. nda1lt:·; to disclose !he requested materials i:-- based. in part. upon kgal thcor.\. and clearly did not : ri-..1..· 10 the k,·d of "l'rivolous conduct"· as contemplated hy court ru lcs {SC'C' Uni form Ru ks for Trial ( ·h 122 YCRRI ~ 130-1.1 lal: Cl'l.R 8'303 -a:Agostiui I' Sobol. 30-l /\D2d .195. 757 :--JYS2d :')'i Jhl fkp1 'OU; I: .luro11 & \/ill'.uer 1· State Farm lu.rnran c:e. Co .. 103 /\D2cJ .+6.1. 7)(> NYS2d ·L28 J2d lkpl : .~00.1 I) .'\ <:conl ingly. the ddi.:ndanls motion is grantl'd lo the ex tent that thl' subj..:cl subpPrnas ar1.· . qu;1shcd. and is ntherwisc ckn ied. I lowcvcr. nothing. herein shal l he deemed Lo lim il the plaint ifrs :1hili 1;. to scd: ll1 pwpi.:rly obwin th..: subjl'ct discovery . or th..: abi lity nrth..: dL'l\:ndants. or any 110111 x1rt;. lo properly opposc any ~rnch l..'lfon-;. 1 Thc pl.11111i1r, oppn,i1111n to lhl· motion i111lll:<1k'' that a t:opy oftlw video ol'thc '11bjt:ct a1x1dc11t ,., .111.itht•d .1.-. l·xl11bi1 1\ to hi\ papn-;. Nd1hcr a wb ,\ 1111r thc video i\ mclmkd in the papcrs received h~ llh: < rntrl I ln11 i.·wr. the plain1iff docs IHll d;iim 1ha1 the vilkll bear-. on lht· j,,ues hcforl' thc Lmkr-;iµ.ned. and i1 is dc1cn11111cd 111:11 lhc p1 ·c.-.c11rl· 11r thl..! ah~cllCt' of' 1hc cxhihi1 is 1101 n;kv;1111 Ill i1s dckrn1ina1ions hcn.:in. [* 5] 'it: lid l i11(1 ' I L'lk-.1:11 l11d1..·\ >.:11. 12 -."'~1.: o I Ill' plai11tilTmPH'" hL'll· 1100..i ) for ;111 Ortkr cornpL' lli ng 'l'L'tksco to su hrnit lo sl'l'nnd lkpns ili o11 ill I his :iclion p11rsuan1 lo a llOlicL' nr dL'posilion datL·d SL'plL'lllhL·r 4. ~()I~. 111 supporl nl' Iii-.. m1Hinn. lhl' plai111ilT-;uhmih. ;11111111g other thin;!-.. a -..ullicil'111 anida' it 01'µ 1u>d J:1i1h . :ind 1h1..· 1r;11i-.1..-ript 111' I nk-.1..·o·-. dL'p11-.itin11. I hl' dl..'!1..·11tlillllS 1.:rn-.-.-1110\1..· (:>1:q . ::()()))lo \,lt:.th.: thl' 'uhj1..·1..·1 11111ki.· ;111d lor -.;u1cti1111s a;.:.tt11-..1 L'o11nsd fi1r lltL' plt1i11tiff. l l11dLT thl' cin.:um-,1am:1.:s. lhl' moli11n ;111d LT1h..., 111oti1111 \\ill h1..· addrl'ss1..·d 1nµL'Llh.T hL'r1..·in. In Iii:-. 11101io11, thl' plai11tiff contl'nds th:n thL' deposi tilHl c.:011dt11.:led hy p11111 1..·11u11s1..·I ··[I fl'l'l 111i<1ddrl'ssi.:d ... nunlL'rnus 111;11t..·riul qttl'stions th:.11 1h1...· soug ht 1..kposition ''ill hL'lp l'lmi(' prim Ill tria l." :111d thal a runhL'r lkpn:-.it ion \\ill allm\ TL'dl'S(ll ln lcsti !~· al a "pro1)l·rl~ niaturl' sl:tµt: 111' till· l'<ISl'. .. In uddili1 lhL' rlai111iff COllll.'llds that the ··broad" a11J .. ,;ir-n:achi11g" sl'lllk' of' dist:t>\ 1.:r~ Hl. pur-:uant to ( 'l'l .R \I() 1 (a) pL'rlllih the rdil'I. sough1 and r1..·quirl's the dl'il'ndanb hi ha\ L' g.rounds to 11h1ai11aprntL'cli\1..' nrlkr pursua111 10 ('Pl .R >I OJ 10 prl..'cl11dc the n:qw:sted disc11\'l.'r). ii In oppo-;itio ri. the dl..'f'endanls rnntcnd that the plaintilTdnL''i not indic.:atc that l'l.'tk·sco rl'1'11s1.·d 111 .111s\\L'r :111: qut.:-.;1io11 pul to him al his deposition. an<l 1hat lhe plaintiff has foikd lo ,11h-.:rnisL' nwki.: a -..,1111\\·inµ or th1..· 11c1..·d for lhl' rcquc!-.k<l second deposition. (lcnerall). a ·· ·urthcr" or scl.'ond tkp,1-.,itio111if' ;1 party is prohihitt:d absent a failun: llf'th<: witness lo <111s\n:r all the qut:~tions posed al thl'ir dL'po-.;i1ion ( '<'l' Lacq11a 1· Staten Is. UuiP. llosp.. 5(> J\DJd 529. 867 NYS2d 515 [2<l Dept 20081: Cas. ·i<(r 1 Cm111~r \ <~f" Nas.rnu . 84 /\ 1)2d 742 . ..i..n NYS2d 742 f2d lkpt 11>81 1>. J\11 "w.Jd itinnar · rkpositil1n ()ra pan: gt:11L'rn ll:- urisc-; in thi.: co11lc:->t of a11 action again-;1 a corporate dl'.i'cndant \\hL'rl' thL·r1..' i:- a qul'.stion \\lll'ther thL' i11di\ idual producl'd in th\..'. first i1hl<lllL'L' ha<l pt:rsonal knm\ kdgl' orlhl' 1:1cLS and cirrnms1a1H:es ill\ ohnl. In that rnnh.:xt. thl' plaintiff must i.:stahlish that the \\'itm:ss pniducl'd lad.t:d 'illnicicnl kno\\'ll'dgc ol'thi.: focls or was othl'r\\'ise inadc4twte. and that the testimnn~ of'thl' prnposl'd '' i1111..·ss is ma1..:rial and nccr,;ssary to the prosecution of !he case ( Tllristi110 "Co1111~r <?{S1~[(0/k. 78 .\I Xkl <J'27, <) 10 :"\! YS2d 66-i I2d Dept 20 I0 I: Barone 1• Great A t/. & />ac. TC!a Co .. 260 1 D'.?.d 41 7. ()87 \ NYS2d 718 l2d lkpl 19991). The party sc~king the additional deposition o f' a corporate ''ilncss 111ust make ··a detailed showing of' necessity for taking rurther depositions" (Defina 1• Brook(r11 U11io11 (;a\· Co .. 217 .\D2d 681. 630 ~YS2d 5:n l'2<l Dept 19951). 1 In reply. lhl' plainti fT a lleges that the initial deposition of"I edesw was ··inl..'f'l\:cli\'L'.°. and th:ll \J1...'\\. York·s libl'ral approach to dis<.:ov<.:ry tracks thl.! federal standard sd forth in Fl{( ·p 2(1 (h) (2) (ci1i11g .llm111 1• Cooper Tire. 33 /\ l))d 24. 816 NYS2d 45 11 st Dept 20061. Th1..: federal rule perm its a court l\l limit thl' L':-.tenl of'<lisco\'cry ii' it determines that: "(i) the <lisrn\'L'ry sought is unreasnnahly cumulatiw or duplicati' t:. or can hl' obtaint:d from some lither source that is mort: t:om cnicnt. kss htmkn:-.01111..'. or kss C.:\IK'nsi\L': (ii) tht: party Sl.Tking discm·cry has lwd arnpk opportunity to ,>htain thl.' inl(1rnialion h:d1sc.:ovl'r: in thl' at:tion: or (iii) tht: proposed disw\-1..·ry is outside the srnp<: pL' rrnitted hy R11k 2(1(h)( I) ... 111 addi1io11. the plai11 ti1Trn111emls 1ha1 th1..· sta ndards n:garding. a parl )"s rt:quest for till' additional dL'po'iilion ot"a cu rporall' '"it111..·ss arc not applicahk to that or an individuul. who is s11hkct lo ··1':L'\\ York· s 11 iamlatL' for · fu 11 disc Iosure · or ·al I mallL'r · material and nt:<.:essary lo a case. ''<'<' C P l.R .11 0 I ... .-\ rt:\"iL'\\ (If till.' transnipt ol'Tcdesco·s dL'pnsition reveals thal he answered all qul'stions put to llim. and that prior counsel f()r thl.! plaintiff closl'd the questioning without rescrvn1io n. 1lort: importantly. i1111wking. his motion the plaintiff has f'aikd L indical<.: how said deposition ''"as o ··i11elli.'c.:ti\e." \\hat material question \\"erl' 1101 addressed and llL'L'd dariflt:ation bcfc\rc trial. m lw\\ this .ietion has hl'C.:OlllL' .. proper!) nrnturc:· In addition. \Yithout determining lhl' applicability of the kdcr:il rull' in this ac.:tion or any other. the plaintiff has foiled to present focts or other information rnablinµ 1h1..· umkrsignL·d 10 lkte rrninc. among nther things. whether a further tkposilinn ol'Te<l<.:sco wou ld hl' umL·asonahly c11n1u ln1ivl' or dupli cut i,·c. whether addi tional in formation regarding thL' f"acts al iss11c. if' 1 \ [* 6] '-,chl..'111110 ' I ..:dl.''>l'll Ind,.:, \.11. I.~ 2 ~ I .211 l'.1 ~1 l' () :111;. . 1.:.111 m La11111ll he 11h1ai11L·d from some nthcr -;oun.:1.:. ur \\hdhcr th1.: plai11Liff did. did 1wL or" ill h:I\ v :111 ampk npporlunit;. 111 nh1ain !hi..' inforrnaLio11 h;. di:-,<.:O\ er: in the ;1ctio11. I irwll~. the pl;1 i111i IT il1ib ll) pn)\·itk a11: hindi r l~! a1 1thority li)r hi-, p1up,i<.:iti,111 1!1:11 Ill<..' casl' 1:1" :'l)\ L'nlilll-' a ran~ ·s burdl'll i11 't1..'d.ing. thl' addiLillllitl Lkpo'iition nLt l',1rpordlL' lkli:mlatll j..., IHll applit:ahl1.: ilL·rL·i11 . 11 is111H.li-..pull' d that 11..'dl..'S(.;o is an L·111plo:-'l..'L' of the Suffulk Count: Shcrilrs l>qx1rtml..'nt. and 1h.i11.:m11i-..l'I li1r thl..' dcl\:ndants 11L'nlliltl..'d l ctkst:u Lo <lllS\\cr any and all l~ILl-hasL·d l(llL'"tion...; pn-.;L·d at till' . . 11h1n:1 d1.:po,ill<)l1. I hus. 1h1.: pl<1intiff \\·ould ge111.:rall) be prohibited from obtaining a l'urtl1L·1 tkpn . . i1i1111 ,,r I cdl..'sl'll (.H '<' Foll'ler ,. fon/ien Gospt!I Mission . ()7 ,\lrld 6:-;5. 889 . YS:2d 611:' l~<l lkpt 2110'>1: Burba 1° /Jf'S J'e11t11re, luc .. 11 /\I fkl 897. 819 \J YS~d 1:2<) IYd I kpl ,:2006 j). I1 11dcr thL· ..:in.:u111s1a111.:cs. it is dc1L·rn1incd tlwt the tlekmlarns \\l'n.: Jll'l oh ligalL'd lo hrinµ :1 111o tio11 l(1r;i pnHt'cti\·L· nrtkr pursuanl !() (' i>i .R 1 10) . 1 \ccordinµ ly.1hc pbi111ilrs 1110\i(1 11 l\l cn111pcl l etks<.:11 l\l suh111i 1 toil l'unh..:r dl'posili1)11 is denied. !'he hrnnt:h llf the dl'l~·ndants motion (seq . HOOS) seeking Lo \'acatc the suhje<.:L notiel..' or dl'position is granll.:d l\lr tht: reason set rorlh herl..'in. and Lhe brand1 seeking the imposition 111' sant:li\111s is denil..'d. Pursuant LO Part 110 the llni form Rules !'or the I CW y ork State !'rial Courts. a mun. in its d iscn:tion. may award (.;Os ls and imposc sanctions lt>r frivolous conduct in a 1.:i vi I aclion or pwcced i ng (~-~ NYCRR 130-l.I Jaj). Conduct is regnn.k:d us frivolous i1" ··j1 iseompktl'l y without merit i11 l;1" :ind cannot he supporkd hy a rcasonahk argument for an cxll..'nsion. 111odilicatiun or reversal ore:-.: isling I~'"_ .. i1"·i1 assc:rls material foctual st;Hemcn ls that are litlse." or if it is unc.krtakcn to "delay or prolong the l'L'solutinn ofthc litigation. l)r to harass or maliciously injure another"· (22 YCRR ~ I ~Hl-1.1 lei:'<'<' .llmcia 1· .lla re.~·co. ;9 1 \J)Jd 50-L 8~3 :\YS2<l 207 [2d Dept!). The tkkn<lants l'aikd to cstahli~h that thl..' plaimiffl'ngagccJ in fri,olnus conduct \\ithin the mt:aning of'l'.2 NYl'RR U0-1.1 (c) (,·c'<' h'aplrm/Je/o . ls.m e.• luc. 1 [) ',.l 11gelo. 79 /\DJ<l 93 I. 912 YS::!d 886 l2d Dept 20 101: Dank 1 •Sean lloldi11g .llgt. Corp.. <i9 \()Jd 557. 89~ . YS2d 510 l2d Dept 20101). or * * 1 l'he forq.?.oi11g co11s1itUlt!S the decision and Order or the Court. I)atL·d: Scptemher 21. ::!O 16 FIN/\I. DISPOSITI ON ~ O N- FI N 1 DISPOSITION \I.

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